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WINTER EDITION 2024
A message from Colleen Birchley
Head of 1800RESPECT
Warm greetings to our colleagues in the domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) community.
A recent increase in reported domestic, family and sexual violence-related incidents has put the sector in the spotlight with the Prime Minister declaring this important issue, a national crisis. This coverage has had an impact on the 1800RESPECT service. Over the past couple of months, we have seen an increase in the number of people contacting 1800RESPECT for support, including an increase in the number of people contacting the service for the first time.
Video and SMS
It's been six months since the introduction of SMS and three months since we introduced video call as additional service channels for 1800RESPECT. It’s positive that we are seeing people contacting 1800RESPECT for the first time via these channels. I encourage you to promote SMS and video call in your circles. By providing options for those who may prefer to contact the service using these new channels rather than call or online chat, we can ensure the service is accessible to as many people as possible.
Federal Budget
An urgent National Cabinet meeting was held in early May to work on solutions to help put an end to this national crisis. As part of the Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced it was investing $925.2 million over five years to permanently establish the Leaving Violence Payment (LVP). The new LVP builds on the successes and learnings of the Escaping Violence Payment trial and the Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot, to establish a new program that ensures eligible victim-survivors leaving violence are able to access support. For more Budget announcements, read the Women’s Budget Statement.
Consent Campaign
On 26 May 2024, the Australian Government launched a national consent campaign to help reduce the incidence of sexual violence in Australia by improving community understanding and attitudes on consent and respectful relationships. A dedicated website with valuable resources is available which I encourage you to read and share across your networks. The campaign helps adults be informed and understand consent so they feel comfortable and confident having conversations with young people.
Downloadable Resources
Finally, we have added a series of new posters and social media tiles to our website aimed at culturally and linguistically diverse, migrant and refugee communities. We encourage you to use these valuable resources where possible with our suggested messaging. Visit our website for more information.
Take care,
Colleen Birchley
Conferences and Campaigns
Disrupting & Reducing Family Violence Against First Nations Women & Children
1800RESPECT recently attended the 3rd Annual Disrupting & Reducing Family Violence Against First Nations Women & Children conference where effective early intervention and primary prevention for First Nations communities was at the forefront of discussions.
Blacktown City Council’s Streets Alive Parade
As part of Blacktown City Council’s Streets Alive Parade in late May, the 1800RESPECT rubbish truck was on display to raise awareness about domestic, family and sexual violence.
DrinkWise State of Origin Campaign
As part of the NRL State of Origin series, DrinkWise, alongside 1800RESPECT, Men’s Referral Service and 13YARN remind everyone to always be respectful towards others, as part of the Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign.
Resources
New website - Neve
Women with Disabilities Australia has launched a new website co-designed by and for women, girls, feminine identifying, and non-binary people with disabilities. Explore the website here.
Stop it at the Start campaign
The Australian Government has launched the next part in its Stop it at the Start campaign. The Hidden Trends of Disrespect aims to educate parents and care givers of young people aged 10-17 years about the new and hidden forms of disrespect young people are engaging with every day online. The campaign is available at: www.respect.gov.au.
Research and Reports
Understanding spiritual and religious abuse in the context of intimate partner violence: The Australian Institute of Family Studies released this paper which provides an overview of the evidence on spiritual and religious abuse in the context of intimate partner violence and its impact on victim-survivors.
Workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment: Perpetration, responses and prevention: ANROWS has supported this study which offers crucial insights to aid Australian employers and policymakers in understanding and combating workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment effectively.
Sexual harassment in the Adelaide hospitality industry: This report provides an overview of the nature of participants’ experiences and identifies key themes, behaviours and drivers of sexual harassment and assault within the Adelaide Hospitality Industry.
Differential Intervention Outcomes Among Fathers Who Commit Domestic and Family Violence: The Influence of Parental Relationship Status: This study from the Journal of Family Violence investigates whether participating fathers improved their co-parenting interactions, family functioning and wellbeing, and considered father characteristics and relationship statuses that coincided with positive outcomes.
Media
Ministerial media release - Working to keep women safe: The Australian Government will continue its commitment to ending family, domestic and sexual violence in one generation with further investments to accelerate efforts.
Ministerial media release - New campaign encourages respectful relationships across Australia: The Australian Government has launched a new campaign to help reduce the incidence of sexual violence in Australia by improving community understanding and attitudes on consent and respectful relationships.
Ministerial media release - World first gender justice institute for First Nations Women: The Australian Government is supporting the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University with a funding contribution of $3 million over four years.
ABC: How to help a friend in a domestic violence relationship.
The Conversation: Indigenous women are most affected by domestic violence but have struggled to be heard. It’s time we listened.
ABC News: Experts on age-appropriate ways to talk to kids about gendered and family violence.
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
7-14 July
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic,
family or sexual violence, you can contact 1800RESPECT via call 1800 737 732,
text 0458 737 732 or visit our website for online chat and video call services.
In an emergency, call 000.
Don't forget to follow us on social media and stay up-to-date!
