Warm greetings to our colleagues in the domestic, family and sexual violence community.

On 16 August, the Australian Government released the First Action Plan (2023-27) and the dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan (2023-2025) which outline how all governments will make the commitments set out in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-23 a reality.

For the first time, the First Action Plan sets targets to end violence, including a 25 per cent annual reduction in female victims of intimate partner homicide.

1800RESPECT and the broader domestic, family and sexual violence service sector plays a vital role in supporting those affected and achieving the goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation.

From 1 August 2023, employees of small businesses (less than 15 employees) experiencing domestic and family violence can access 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. Previously (from 1 February 2023) only employees of non-small business employers could access the leave.  

To support changes for small business, the Australian Government has developed a number of resources including, a dedicated website that provides targeted information, support and resources. The Australian Government and Lifeline has also released a podcast titled ‘Small Business Big Impact: how to support employees experiencing family and domestic violence’. I encourage you to listen to this informative resource wherever you get your podcasts.

Some highlights from our engagement in the community of late included a Student Health and Wellbeing Expo at Kelmscott Senior High School in Perth, which a couple of our clinical team members attended alongside other invited organisations. Our team had incredibly meaningful discussions with the students about 1800RESPECT and what constitutes a healthy and respectful relationship.

And finally, 1800RESPECT also participated in Beyond DV’s Dress to Express event as part of the Brisbane Fashion Festival in the Queen Street Mall. Our team members said it was a privilege to attend and listen to the stories and experiences of those impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence. Dress to Express aims to raise awareness about one of the first red flags of coercive control – being told by a partner what you can and cannot wear.

Until Summer, take care.

Colleen Birchley 

Head of 1800RESPECT 

Research and reports

First Action Plan 2023–2027: The First Action Plan (2023-2027) provides a roadmap for the first 5-year effort towards achieving the vision of the National Plan. It sets out the initial scope of activities, areas for action and responsibility with respect to outcomes, and outlines how the commitments set out in the National Plan will become a reality. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025: The dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan will work alongside the First Action Plan. It has been developed in genuine partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence and has been developed in recognition of the disproportionately high rates of family, domestic and sexual violence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience.

First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan (2023-26): A strategic framework and suite of actions through which Australian Government agencies will work in partnership with First Nations people to improve their digital inclusion through to 2026. It provides strategic guidance and proposes measures to enhance opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to access reliable and affordable telecommunications services and appropriate consumer training.

Draft report - Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap: The report sets out the Commission’s findings and recommendations on the ongoing implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by highlighting areas of improvement and emphasising where additional effort is required to close the gap.

CFCA Practice Guide: Technology-facilitated coercive control: This practice guide describes the research evidence on technology-facilitated coercive control (TFCC) and covers strategies used by perpetrators, and the impacts of experiencing TFCC.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Personal Safety Survey – Characteristics of sexual harassment experienced by women: Examines the characteristics of sexual harassment experienced by women in the last 12 months.

ABS Personal Safety Survey – Physical Violence: Statistics on experiences of physical assault, including victimisation rates, socio-demographics, incident characteristics and responses in 2021-22.

Media

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show: Shaynna Blaze 'I had to work out how to leave' on Apple Podcasts: Shaynna Blaze shares what to do if you see the signs of domestic, family and sexual violence and are worried about someone, and how to talk about it without shame.

The Conversation: What is a relationship ‘boundary’? And how do I have the boundary conversation with my partner?

ABC: Domestic violence-focused Operation Amarok III makes 592 arrests, lays more than 1,000 charges across NSW. 

9News: Operation Enforceable, led by Victoria Police’s Family Violence command, will see specialist units from across the force unite to proactively target and apprehend around 3000 perpetrators known to actively avoid police detection, have outstanding warrants or unserved family violence intervention orders (IVO) to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.

ABC: The next frontier of Australia’s concussion crisis isn’t on the football field, but in homes across the country, where victims of domestic violence are sustaining brain injuries at staggering rates.

ABC: Reports of sexual violence appear to be going up at Australian universities, but with public reporting of data inconsistent across the sector, there are fears the full extent of the problem remains underestimated.

The Conversation: ‘More obviously needs to be done’: how to make Australian universities safe from sexual violence.

If you are writing a news article, blog, podcast or television episode on domestic, family or sexual violence, please use the 1800RESPECT tagline. Reading about violence and abuse can be triggering. Including our tagline in your piece allows those who are impacted by media coverage to know immediately who they can reach out to for support.

For a copy of our tagline and contact details for media enquiries, please visit the News and Media section of our website.

Conferences and key dates

29 September – 1 October: Australian Counselling Association Conference (say hi to us at the 1800RESPECT booth)

October Sexual Violence Awareness Month/ October Safe Work Month

2 October: International Day of Non-Violence

10 October: World Mental Health Day

16-22 October: Week Without Violence

26 October: Blue Knot Day

30-31 October: Indigenous Wellbeing Conference (say hi to us at the 1800RESPECT booth)

17 November: White Ribbon Day

21-22 November: National Multicultural Health and Wellbeing Conference (say hi to us at the 1800RESPECT booth)

25 November – 10 December: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

26 November: Economic Abuse Awareness Day

27-29 November: Stop Domestic Violence Conference

Campaigns 

Drinkwise In a recent campaign for the AFL finals series, Drinkwise has joined forces with drinks and hospitality business Endeavour Group to remind the community about the importance of moderating their alcohol consumption, and alongside 1800RESPECT, Men’s Referral Service and 13YARN to always be respectful towards others, as part of the Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign. DrinkWise.org.au.

Amazon Prime 1800RESPECT supported Amazon Prime through their promotion of Australian-based television series, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart which has strong themes of domestic, family and sexual violence. It was important to communicate 1800RESPECT as a service for individuals who need support while viewing the series. The 1800RESPECT tagline appears at the end of each episode.

Mushroom Group and Victorian Government Raw Lines, backed by Australian musicians including Mo’Ju, Ella Hooper, NGAIIRE, and supported by the Victorian Government, educates and raises awareness about sexual harassment, encouraging people to call out abusive behaviour and providing support resources, with a campaign running on musicians' social media channels from 29 August to October. 1800RESPECT is listed as a service for those seeking support, as part of this initiative.

Careers

1800RESPECT is currently recruiting experienced counsellors. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic, family and sexual violence please review the qualification requirements and apply here.

DV-alert training, delivered by Lifeline since 2007, is a nationally accredited training program to build the knowledge and capability of frontline workers to recognise domestic and family violence, respond with care, and refer to appropriate services. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, DV-alert training is available in face-to-face workshops, virtual workshops and eLearning courses. Go to dvalert.org.au, attend a workshop, and be empowered to act. 

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner delivers a range of free webinars as professional development for frontline, specialist and support staff in the domestic violence and disability sector across Australia. Topics include ‘Technology-facilitated abuse in domestic and family violence situations’ and 'Supporting children and young people – technology-facilitated abuse in domestic and family violence situations'. Register on the eSafety website.  

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Funded by the Australian Government