Get helpI am unsure about getting help
Reaching out for help can be hard, but we are here to support you.
Whatever you may be worried about, we understand what you are going through.
Below, we answer the most common worries that hold people back from getting help.
Remember, you can also talk to us or one of these other services about your concerns, in private.
Worries about your safety and well-being
You may be afraid of being punished or being sent back home if you try to get help. You may have been stuck in a situation that was out of your control, and done things you did not want to do. Other people may have threatened to tell the police or Immigration authorities about you.
My Blue Sky is not part of the police or government. Our team is made up of qualified lawyers who provide confidential and independent advice. If you contact us, we won’t share your information with the police, government or anyone else without your permission. You might even ask us to talk to the police or government on your behalf, so that we can help them understand your situation.
To get free legal advice on your options, please contact My Blue Sky.
Your safety and well-being is always a top priority whenever you speak to us. Our goal is always to keep you safe and help you achieve the things you want. This means we will listen to your needs and do everything we can to find the best outcome for you.
We know it is not easy to take that first step into the unknown. It is ok if you feel uncertain or want to change your mind later on. You can choose to start or stop getting help at any time. Click here to learn more about what to expect when you contact My Blue Sky.
Leaving home can be scary and you may not feel ready to take that step. We can talk to you about your options and how you can stay safe, no matter where you are.
If you do leave home, there are services that can help you find free or low-cost housing. There are also services that can help you rebuild your life – for example, by providing financial support or helping you find a job. There is a way out and there are people who can support you. Contact us to learn more.
Worries about your family and community
Your privacy and safety is the most important thing to us. We won’t tell anyone that you reached out, and we won't give other people your name, contact details or anything else you tell us. You get to decide what you share and who you share it with.
Everything we do is private and confidential. This means everything you say will be kept a secret – from your family, community and anyone else. We will find safe ways to talk with you alone and will not involve other people, unless you give us permission.
To help you and keep you safe, there are times when we might tell other people about you. These include:
Telling other support services about you, so that you can get help from them. Before we do this, we will always ask for your permission first.
Contacting emergency services if you are in serious danger.
Being required by the law to tell someone – for example, if you are a child and someone is hurting you.
For extra safety and privacy, you can talk to us via our Secure Message Room (coming soon!), where your messages are protected and you don't have to give your name or contact details.
You can get help without getting your family in trouble. There are many services, including My Blue Sky, that are not part of the police or government. You do not need to speak to the police (or anyone else) to get help from us.
We understand you care about your family and do not want to get them in trouble. We understand you might be worried about your family being taken away or being shamed in the community if you reach out.
When you contact us, you get to decide what happens and how we help you. We will find safe ways to talk with you alone and will not involve anyone else, unless you give us permission. We can talk to you about the different ways you can get help without involving the police.
We understand you may be scared about losing the people around you. The things you want help with – like stopping a marriage, moving out or seeing a counsellor – might go against what your family and community think is right. If you get help against their wishes, you may be worried about hurting your family relationships or being shunned by your community.
It is not easy to reach out for help, but you are not alone. We can help you connect with people and services who understand where you come from, and who can support you on this journey. They can help you build new networks and find ways to stay connected with your culture. Contact us to learn more.
You might feel that you need to stay married or go ahead with a marriage to protect your family. Maybe this marriage gives them a better life. Maybe your siblings will be married in your place or be unsafe at home if you leave. Maybe your family will be dishonoured in the community or even harmed by your partner’s family if the marriage doesn’t work out.
We understand you want to take care of your family, and you may not want to get help if there is a risk they could get hurt. But you still deserve to learn about your rights and your options. You can get advice and information from us, but choose to not do anything about it. We let you decide what you want to do. Click here to learn more about what happens when you contact My Blue Sky.
This can be a common fear, especially if your children are Australian citizens and you are not. You may be worried about being separated from your children. Your partner might have even threatened to take your children away from you.
No matter what visa you have, or what other people might have told you, you have rights when it comes to your children. There are ways for you to stay with your children but still get the help you need. For free legal advice about your rights and options, please contact My Blue Sky.
Worries that you can't get help
No matter what visa you have (and even if you don’t have a visa), you still have rights in Australia and can get help. At My Blue Sky, we can help people who are on any type of visa, including people who don’t have a visa. We can also help people who have been taken overseas and can't get back to Australia. Click here to learn about what we can help you with.
The pressures you are facing can make everything feel very lonely and hopeless, but you are not alone. While every person’s experience is unique, there are many people who have gone through the same things you have. There are also many people who know how to help you.
Many services, including My Blue Sky, have helped people like you. We understand the importance of your family and culture. We understand the challenges you might be facing and the fears you might have. When you reach out, we will support you in a way that is focused on your needs, your wishes and your goals.
No matter what gender or sexual orientation you identify with, you can reach out and get help. You do not have to feel ashamed or feel like you shouldn't talk about your situation. Your experiences are important and valid. You deserve to be heard, understood and supported.
If you contact My Blue Sky, we will provide you with support and advice that is inclusive, respectful and sensitive to your needs. We can also help you find specialised men's, LGBTIQ+ and other services that suit your needs.