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

With the financial hardships being faced by many Australians in the spotlight, 1800RESPECT participated in the Financial Counselling Australia Conference in Canberra in May. The conference provided a valuable opportunity and platform to learn from experts in financial counselling, helping us better understand the current issues experienced by those seeking support and how we can incorporate learnings on the front line, including through the enhancement of our Service Directory. Participating in the conference also allowed us to spread awareness of the services we provide, sharing information and raising awareness about the impacts of financial abuse as a form of domestic and family violence. The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, addressed the conference announcing more than $1.7 million to further strengthen the Federal Government’s commitment to financial counselling and further support capability and capacity building. 

In May, the 2023-24 Federal Budget was handed down and included a range of new funding initiatives that will continue to improve and prioritise women’s safety and will help deliver the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32. A total of $589.3 million will be invested, including funding for the development of a standalone First National Plan for Family Safety. This funding builds on the $1.7 billion provided in the October Budget.  

Take care, 

Colleen Birchley 

Head of 1800RESPECT 

1800RESPECT’s Financial Abuse Support Toolkit 

1800RESPECT’s Financial Abuse Support Toolkit is available to anyone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing financial abuse, including those in a professional support role. The Toolkit explains what financial abuse is, what it feels like, and how to reach out for support. 

What is financial abuse? 

Financial abuse involves controlling a person’s financial decision making, their access to money and assets, and is often associated with psychological and emotional violence. It’s a hidden form of domestic and family violence that’s not often discussed, and many of those impacted may be unaware that it is happening to them.  

You can access the toolkit here: https://www.1800respect.org.au/violence-and-abuse/financial-abuse/toolkit 

ANROWS: The 2023 National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey (NCAS) 

The National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey (NCAS) is the world’s longest-running population-level survey of community attitudes towards violence against women. The NCAS provides insights into the perceptions from society, including their beliefs, attitudes and any shifts that may have occurred over time. It also assesses attitudes towards gender inequality and individuals’ willingness to take action when confronted with instances of abuse. 

The survey found that while attitudes towards violence are shifting and slowly improving over time, with the majority of respondents (91%) agreeing that violence against women is a problem in Australia, most Australians do not recognise that violence is a community-wide problem that occurs everywhere even in their own suburb or town. The survey also found that 2 in 5 respondents do not know how to access domestic violence services. It’s never been more important to continue to broaden awareness of the 1800RESPECT service to ensure those who need support, can access it. 

Research and reports

Communications Alliance, Assisting Consumers Affected by Domestic and Family Violence Industry Guideline: This Guideline provides education and guidance to telco providers on how to assist customers experiencing domestic and family violence, with topics including staff and training, communicating with customers, privacy and safety, economic abuse and technology facilitated abuse. 

Journal of Criminology, Domestic and family violence leave across Australian workplaces: This report acknowledges the increasing recognition across Australian industries, workplace policy makers and researchers that domestic and family violence (DFV) is a workplace issue.   

Women’s Safety Budget 2023-24: This Budget has a particular focus on supporting women facing disadvantage, including single parents, and low-income workers across the care and support sector, including targeted and responsible cost of living relief for families to ease pressures on household. 

ANROWS, WRAP around families experiencing AVITH: This research identified that to appropriately address the complex needs that families were presenting to services with, service interventions in adolescent violence in the home (AVITH) need to take the form of wraparound, collaborative responses. 

Griffith University, The Role of Domestic and Family Violence in Youth Suicide: Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians aged 15-24 years old, and evidence suggests that the rates have escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the complex factors that contribute to increased risk, including adverse childhood experiences, childhood abuse, and neglect.  

Violence Against Women During Coronavirus: This report offers an international examination of the impact of COVID-19 global health pandemic on women’s experiences. 

Wellbeing

Write down what is contributing to you feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

You may identify one particular issue or have a range of things contributing to how you feel at this time.  

Review your current coping mechanisms 

Identify how you have been coping to date. What tools and strategies have you found helpful? What things are you doing that are not helpful? Make any necessary changes to increase your ability to cope. 

Talk to a trusted friend or family member 

Talking through your issues with someone you trust to assist you to work through the issue and identify possible solutions. 

Access local support services 

There may be certain situations when you need to gain support from services in the community. For example, you may need to access counselling services when experiencing family and relationship difficulties or accommodation services if experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. 

Media

SBS News: Daniel is a youth advocate and consent educator. He says before we talk about consent, we need to address pornography’s pervasive message that women should and can be disrespected. 

The Conversation: ‘I started walking the long way’: many young women first experience street harassment in their school uniforms. 

Body+soul: Code words, consent and social media: The secret sex lives of teenagers revealed.

ABC: When it comes to understanding intimate partner violence in Australia, misinformation can derail the conversation.   

ABC: Early data from a study in Bendigo has showed there were "significantly more" female hospital presentations for physical and sexual assault after the COVID-19 pandemic began.   

The Conversation: Gender and sexuality diverse (LGBTQIA+) people experience disproportionately high levels of sexual violence, but we still know very little about their experiences of sexual violence and seeking support in Australia. 

The Conversation: One-third of childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated by another child. Shannon Molloy tells his story – and urges us not to look away. 

SBS News: Across helplines, call centres and even in stores, workers and volunteers are being exploited and harassed by anonymous callers wanting phone sex. 

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

2-9 July: NAIDOC Week  

14 July: International Non-Binary People’s Day  

4 August: National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAITCD)  

9 August: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 

21-22 August: National Disability Summit 

26 August: Wear it Purple Day  

30 August: Bravehearts Day 

5 September: National Child Protection Week 

5-7 September: Secretariat National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) National 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 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.  

Campaigns - Drinkwise

In a recent campaign in the lead up to the State of Origin series, DrinkWise reminded Australians about the importance of moderating their alcohol consumption and always being respectful towards others. 1800RESPECT supported this important initiative and reminded people that whatever their situation, there is help and support available for anyone affected by domestic, family or sexual violence. 

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Funded by the Australian Government