Who we are

Northern CASA (NCASA) provides a free service to all members of the community aged 12 years and over who are affected by sexual assault. This is regardless of how long ago it happened and includes non-offending family and friends.  We support people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Our services

We provide the following services:

• 24-hour crisis care for victims of recent sexual assault aged 18 and over if medical care/forensic exam in the emergency department is required and 12 years and over if no medical care/forensic exam is required. Victims under 18 years of age should contact the Women's and Children's hospital if a medical exam is required.
• telephone counselling, support, information and referral by an intake counsellor during business hours
• information about legal, forensic and medical options
• coordination with police and forensic medical examiners
• group programs and trauma sensitive yoga
• advocacy
• community awareness, education and consultation
• training and consultation for other services and professionals
• support for non offending family members and friends
• prevention training to schools and agencies about trauma, responding to disclosures of sexual assault, and consent.

Location

Northern CASA is based at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital site of Austin Health in Ivanhoe. The Crisis Care Unit for recent victims of sexual assault is located at the Emergency Department of the main Austin Hospital Site in Heidelberg. Outreach counselling services are also available at other locations in the Northern Metropolitan Region.

Our service area

Northern CASA is one of fifteen Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASAs) across Victoria. Northern CASA provides services to people who live, work or study in the following local government areas:

• Banyule
• Darebin
• Nillumbik
• Whittlesea

Find your local service

Visit the Sexual Assault Services Victoria website to find your local specialist sexual assault service in Victoria. You can search by any suburb or postcode. If you live outside of our region, please contact your local service directly as shown on the map.

History of Northern CASA

Northern CASA (NCASA) was originally established as NorthEast CASA (NECASA) in October 1987 as a community-based organisation managed by a committee of management. NECASA became a service of Austin Health in July 1994 and is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH). In July 1995 NECASA changed its name to Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (Northern CASA) to recognise the establishment of the Eastern CASA at Maroondah Hospital.

Over time, NCASA has enhanced its service to provide an intersectional approach to support all members of the community who are affected by sexual assault and family violence. This includes support for men, children, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and survivors of institutional abuse.