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AUTUMN EDITION 2026
A message from Susan Anderson
I’m pleased to share an update with our colleagues in the domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) community.
Earlier this year, the Independent Evaluation of 1800RESPECT was publicly released. Conducted by ARTD Consultants, the evaluation considered the extent to which 1800RESPECT is achieving its strategic outcomes with a focus on practical advice and recommendations that can be applied to improve the service. Following a number of research and consultation activities across 1800RESPECT, the DFSV sector and broader community, the evaluation found 1800RESPECT:
- Is a highly accessible service with low wait times
- Provides information, counselling and referrals that are valued by people contacting our service
- Is an efficient, value for money national service.
The Evaluation identified recommendations to strengthen the service, including:
- Enhancing promotional activities to build awareness and understanding of 1800RESPECT
- Improving ongoing training and professional development opportunities for counsellors
- Reviewing and refining processes for referring people to appropriate services
- Improving data collection.
Work is already underway across many of these areas. We have a strong team, a robust continuous improvement program that supports ongoing development, and several key projects designed to further strengthen our service.
None of this would be possible without our counsellors, who work tirelessly to provide support and guidance, or without the behind-the-scenes teams who ensure high-quality services are delivered every day.
Take care,
Susan Anderson
Head of 1800RESPECT
Events
Hear Our Voices launch
1800RESPECT recently attended the official launch of Hear Our Voices, hosted by the Older Women’s Network NSW at Parliament House. Hear Our Voices is a new online platform and training resource to strengthen service responses to sexual violence affecting older women. This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with sector colleagues, and hear from NSW Women’s Minister, the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP.
Campaigns
Video call campaign
1800RESPECT recently conducted a three-month campaign across Facebook, Google, and regional print media to raise awareness of 1800RESPECT’s video call channel. Print placements included publications such as Queensland Country Life, Bendigo Advertiser, Katherine Times and the Daily Liberal. The campaign delivered strong results, particularly Google ads, where performance metrics are more easily tracked. Print advertising also played an important role in reaching communities in regional and remote areas, including people with limited internet access. You can visit our website for more information about video call, including resources and guides.
Research and Reports
Department of Social Services: Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036. This is the first standalone national plan to address family, domestic and sexual violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
Domestic Violence NSW: Ending Violence Regional and Remote NSW. This report summarises insights from their 2025 Regional Forum which provided a platform for specialist DV services to share lived realities, service pressures and community-driven solutions to end violence in regional NSW.
Australian Institute of Criminology: Homicide in Australia 2024-25. This report describes 264 homicide incidents recorded by Australian state and territory police between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Monash University: Sexualized Deepfake Abuse: Perpetrator and Victim Perspectives on the Motivations and Forms of Non-Consensually Created and Shared Sexualized Deepfake Imagery. This research provides insights into sexualized deepfake abuse, patterns in perpetration and motivations, and explores theoretical explanations that may shed light on how perpetrators justify and minimise their behaviour.
Media
ABC: A key government commitment to protect children from sexual predators will not be "fully functional" for at least three years.
SBS: Victims of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have welcomed former prince Andrew's arrest, and King Charles said authorities had the "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" of the royal family.
WA Government media release: The WA Government has released the State’s first Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Strategy, which aims to keep all Western Australians safe at home, at work and in the community.
Mamamia: This follows the story of a woman who realises she is in an abusive same-sex relationship, showing how domestic violence can begin subtly through coercive control.
ABC: Two local legal services and the National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner say urgent upgrades are needed to protect the safety of women at the Katherine courthouse.
Women's Agenda: Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts has revealed she resigned from her role as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner for the ACT after she was “subjected to sexual harassment and sexual assault” in the workplace.
For a copy of our tagline and contact details for media enquiries, please visit the News and Media section of our website.
Key dates
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 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!
