The Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault's 24-hour support line is still open, and operations director Shireen Gunn said there will be intake workers ready to receive calls.

"I would be encouraging anybody who was feeling overwhelmed or distressed with the outcome of the situation around Pell to pick up the phone and call us, and have a chat to an intake worker, there'll be intake workers to provide a response to those who need extra support, and to link into ongoing counselling if they want," she said.

Affected by this story? There is help available.

You can phone CASA, Sebastopol on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292. Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380 between 9am and 5pm, or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.

"Also I'd encourage contacting close contacts, a family member or friend they'd normally talk to, to give themselves self-care and reach out."

Reaching out over the phone was now more important than ever, she said, as people followed restrictions on physical distance.

"With phone counselling, you don't have to ring up and have a whole hour's session, it can be as brief and frequent as you need - some people might just ring up for five minutes, other people might want a longer call or more frequent calls," she said.

EXPLAINER: George Pell decision in the High Court over child sexual abuse convictions

"Those already engaged in counselling here will seek to have more sessions, and we often get new ones that call up for a one-off session - some just need to call when they feel like it, and that's fine.

"It is limited because of the current environment, but turn off the television, don't get caught in that loop of constantly watching it, but take yourself out for a walk to get some exercise and a break, it will help you feel better."

The Blue Knot Foundation helps adult victims of complex trauma, and director Dr Cathy Kezelman said there is a "pervasive level of anxiety throughout society" at the moment.

"It's very important for all of us, especially survivors, to think about who they have in their network, who can they reach out to, who do they feel safe with, and reach out - it's very hard to feel alone and feel isolated," she said.

"What we should all do is think about what actually nurtures our soul - reading,writing, painting, dancing, whatever infuses your day, take some time out of your day for it, away from the endless media, we can all get flooded by that."

She said it was also important for the public to understand the complex emotions surrounding the judgement.

"Pell arguably is the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sexual abuse, and his conviction depended on the testimony of a single surviving victim," she said.

"For victim survivors, what's absolutely critical is being believed and having your experience validated, and for many survivors, a finding that negates their own experience is fundamentally annihilating."

Affected by this story? There is help available.

You can phone CASA, Sebastopol on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292. Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380 between 9am and 5pm, or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.

Other support numbers include:

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