No images? Click here
SPRING EDITION 2024
A message from Colleen Birchley
Head of 1800RESPECT
Warm greetings to our colleagues in the domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) community.
National Cabinet
In September, the National Cabinet met to discuss practical next steps to end gender-based violence and deliver on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
First Ministers outlined their commitment to a coordinated approach across all states and territories, and announced a comprehensive funding package of $4.7 billion that will:
- Deliver much needed support for frontline specialist and legal services responding to gender based violence.
- Support innovative approaches to better identify and respond to high-risk perpetrators to stop violence escalating.
- Address the role that systems and harmful industries play in exacerbating violence.
Further information about the commitments is available at pm.gov.au.
No to Violence
1800RESPECT recently exhibited and attended the No to Violence Conference in Melbourne which aimed to drive radical change needed to make genuine difference to end men’s use of family violence.
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s inaugural yearly report to Parliament found that men must be a part of every aspect of ending violence – and this event provided an opportunity to bring together people with lived experience, leading policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to discuss prevention, early intervention and specialist responses and how we can collectively advocate for change.
SMS and video call
It’s encouraging to see more people reaching out to our service using our newer channels, SMS (text) and video call. By having four ways to contact 1800RESPECT – call, text, online chat and video call – we're ensuring the service is as accessible as possible. I encourage you to spread awareness of SMS and video call to your colleagues and clients.
Partnering with 13YARN
1800RESPECT’s Cultural Engagement Coordinator, proud Kamillaroi woman Hannah Taylor, partnered with 13YARN on two trips visiting local communities including Katherine and Uluru in the Northern Territory. These trips were praised by local community members who highlighted the importance of organisations like 13YARN and 1800RESPECT working together to close the gap. A focus of the 1800RESPECT service remains on ensuring culturally safe services are available where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel supported and heard.
Until Summer, take care.
Colleen Birchley
Head of 1800RESPECT
Conferences and Campaigns
First Nations Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia forum
1800RESPECT attended the First Nations forum which aimed to foster meaningful dialogue, share insights and explore solutions that respect and incorporate First Nations perspectives and Traditions. By working together, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia aim to identify changes that can be implemented to promote fairness and justice for First Nations families and children.
Pictured (from left): Karla McGrady, Our Watch Portfolio Manager, Regan Mitchel, Our Watch Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, Honourable Chief Justice Alstergren AO and Hannah Taylor, 1800RESPECT Cultural Coordinator.
In August, Beyond DV hosted their Dress to Express event in Brisbane – bringing attention to coercive control and encouraging people to wear a fabulous outfit and walk in solidarity with DV survivors on their own journey to rediscover their identity and style.
1800RESPECT was proud to have a presence at the event, providing information to those who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence. Contact information for 1800RESPECT was also provided to attendees.
DrinkWise
1800RESPECT has once again worked with DrinkWise, The Men’s Referral Service and 13YARN to support a campaign for respectful behaviour during the AFL and NRL Finals throughout September and October.
The Always Respect, Always DrinkWise campaign reminds fans about the importance of moderating alcohol consumption and being respectful towards others – family, friends and the broader community.
Bale Up
In September, 1800RESPECT attended the Bale Up conference in Sydney – bringing together women from across the dairy industry for an event which empowers, connects and educates a community.
1800RESPECT staff joined the conference, speaking with attendees to raise awareness of domestic, family and sexual violence and the support services available.
Resources
MyAus app
Information on domestic, family and sexual violence is now available in 20 community languages through the MyAus App. The MyAus App provides animated and written information about family safety and healthy relationships, supporting new migrants to Australia and helping them to understand the support services available. The information is tailored to women, children and the LGBTQIA+ community. You can read more about other safety apps on our website.
Sexual harassment website content
New content on sexual harassment, including workplace sexual harassment has been added to the 1800RESPECT website. To learn more about an employer’s responsibilities, and what an employee can do if they are experiencing workplace sexual harassment or see it happening, visit this webpage.
Research and Reports
Homicide in Australia 2022–23: The National Homicide Monitoring Program is Australia’s only national data collection on homicide incidents, victims and offenders.
Sexual offending in Australia 2021–22: The Australian Sexual Offence Statistical collection was established by the Australian Institute of Criminology to monitor sexual offending across the country. The collection brings together data on all types of sexual offending, with a focus on alleged sexual offenders.
Perpetration of sexual violence in a community sample of adult Australians: This study examines the rate of sexual violence perpetration in a community sample of adult Australians. Data was collected through a survey of a proportional quota-based sample of 5,076 Australian residents aged 18–45 years.
Not so hospitable, Sexual harassment in the Adelaide Hospitality Industry: This report presents findings from the 359 testimonies submitted between August 2022 and December 2022.
Misogyny, Racism and Violent Extremism in Australia: From the University of Melbourne this research finds robust evidence of underlying drivers to radicalisation that can help us better understand the causes of violent extremism and formulate more responsive interventions to prevent violent extremism.
Migrant and refugee women: A national study of experiences of, understandings of and responses to sexual harassment in the workplace: This research from ANROWS is the first comprehensive study of these issues nationally and internationally. For migrant and refugee women, workplace sexual harassment was consistently experienced alongside exploitative work conditions and/or racial discrimination.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission Yearly Report to Parliament: This report is the first annual report into the progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Unlocking the Prevention Potential: Accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence: The Australian Government’s rapid review, announced in May 2024, has provided 21 recommendations across 6 key areas to strengthen prevention approaches – to be actioned by federal, state and territory governments.
Missing and murdered First Nations women and children: The Australian Government’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee has completed an inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children, providing 10 recommendations.
Media
Attorney-General Media Release: A statistical dashboard will help drive shared ambition to end violence against women and children in Australia in one generation by providing more timely reporting on female victims of intimate partner homicide.
ABC News: Rural domestic violence support services say a lack of funding is putting the lives of women and children at risk. A survivor says it is hard for victims to get the help they need. Advocates and survivors are calling for more funding to be targeted to rural NSW.
SBS: Filicide or the deliberate act of parents or parental figures killing their children is a tragic crime that experts say has not been adequately studied or addressed in Australia. Despite a fall in the numbers of other forms of domestic homicide, filicide rates have held steady at around 20 cases per year.
The Conversation: Research shows deaf women are twice as likely to experience domestic violence than hearing women. And reports of physical and sexual abuse are up to 20 times greater in deaf compared to hearing people.
ABC News: Separating couples are choosing to delay their official divorce due to financial concerns. Many people remain living under the same roof while separated, which may add cost to the process.
Women’s Agenda: Technology-facilitated abuse is quickly becoming one of the most insidious and fastest growing forms of domestic and family violence. For experts, frontline workers and advocates, it’s one of the most pressing challenges facing the domestic and family violence sector.
ABC News: The enormous task of ending gendered violence in this generation has been laid bare in the first annual update on the progress of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children.
ABC News: National cabinet has agreed to a $4.7 billion plan to ramp up frontline supports for people escaping family violence. The Commonwealth has also committed to ongoing funding beyond the five-year deal, which will cover a "funding cliff" due to leave many services without money from as soon as July next year.
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
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!
