Dear readers, 

The last few months have been a period of significant and substantial change for the Women’s Safety sector including extensive work to progress the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032; the Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave bill to allow for 10 days leave passed the federal House of Representatives; and the progression of states moving to criminalise coercive control.  

These significant milestones are the culmination of important and meticulous work achieved by persons impacted by violence, sector advocates, key stakeholders, and community members. Support from these groups is critical to ensuring the vital work of ending family and domestic violence continues. 

I feel incredibly privileged to lead 1800RESPECT and my team and I recognise and acknowledge the significant responsibility that comes with this.  

Our utmost priority is to ensure 1800RESPECT continues to provide a trauma-informed, high-quality, inclusive and accessible service to those seeking support.  

This commitment is shared by our specialist organisations - DVConnect, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre and 54 reasons (previously Save the Children Australia) who each bring cultural and service expertise in the delivery of counselling services. 

Over the past few months, we have started engaging with many stakeholders across the sector to learn about their priorities and to seek input on how we can enhance the impact and reach of the 1800RESPECT service. Our initial focus has been working with the crisis and main arterial services across the various states and territories, and we look forward to connecting with other critical services and organisations over the coming period.    

Some notable events to date have included the opportunity to present at the DV-alert National Meeting and sharing the service model with frontline staff and trainers, including enhancements to the 1800RESPECT Service Directory and how these can assist them in the delivery of their roles. 

In addition, I attended the No to Violence Conference last month with the theme ‘Shift the Burden’, where many conversations highlighted the importance of integration and collaboration across the sector to better support individuals seeking help. This is a priority focus for the team as we create and build upon existing relationships.  

We have a critical role in enabling access to 1800RESPECT for all Australians—particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ peoples, people with disability and regional, remote and rural communities. To do this, we need to ensure these communities have a voice at the table, and are heard. 

As always, 1800RESPECT is here to support anyone living in Australia who is ready to reach out for support. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone and web chat.  

I look forward to connecting again in the Summer Newsletter. 

Kind regards, 

Dr Jennifer Beer 

Head of 1800RESPECT 

WESNET Tech Safety Summit

Recruitment is open for 1800RESPECT counsellors, with casual, part-time, and full-time positions available. To learn more about these opportunities, visit the Careers and Volunteering page on our website.  

Media

AIHW released its report: Family, domestic and sexual violence: National Data Landscape  

ABS released its Personal Safety Survey data on Domestic Violence: Experiences of Partner Emotional Abuse 

Media release: Consultation begins on the National Principles to Address Coercive Control

ANROWS released its report: A life course approach to determining the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in Australia: Fundings from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health  

The Daily Telegraph: Journalist Lisa Mayoh writes about how to provide support to those experiencing violence 

Jess Hill writes in the Primer: “Meet The Survivors Reshaping The System”. She covers case studies of nine victim-survivors in Sydney who are making a huge impact in the community 

Open Forum: How Non-disclosure agreements (NDA) protect workplace predators and silence victims of workplace sexual harassment

Brisbane Times: Documentary shows how some older women are experiencing homelessness  

New book released: The Role of the Media in Criminal Justice Policy: Prisons, Populism and the Press by Natalia Antolak-Saper

Media Release: Attorneys-General progresses actions to address family, domestic and sexual violence 

Illawarra Mercury: Australia’s first women’s-only trauma clinic opens in Thirroul 

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

20, 21, 29 September:  WESNET Tech Safety Summit  

27 September:  Grace Tame releases her memoir and national book tour commences 

Month of October:  Queensland Sexual Violence Awareness Month 

Month of October:  National Safe Work Awareness Month 

2 October:  International Day of Non-Violence  

10 October: World Mental Health Day  

11 October:  International Day of the Girl 

15 October:  International Day of Rural Women 

17 – 23 October:  Week Without Violence 

27 October:  Blue Knot Day 

28 October: Day for Daniel  

28 – 29 October: GC Zero Suicide Forum 

17 November: Women in Technology WA  

25 November - 10 December: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 

30 November – 2 December:  Stop Domestic Violence Conference  

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 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