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SUMMER EDITION 2025
A message from Susan Anderson
Head of 1800RESPECT
I’m pleased to share an update with our colleagues in the domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) community.
Across the country, and the world, communities and organisations have been recognising the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25 November to 10 December. At 1800RESPECT, we acknowledge and continue to focus our attention on The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, and its framework to end violence in one generation.
1800RESPECT continues to see strong, steady demand across its four service channels - call, online chat, text and video call. In the last financial year, the service received more than 330,000 contacts, with demand expected to increase. It’s a testament to the important work of our counsellors who provide counselling, information and support to people experiencing DFSV.
The Australian Government recently announced additional funding of $41.8 million for 1800RESPECT to respond to increasing demand and make sure everyone who seeks help can get it. This additional funding will help ensure 1800RESPECT will continue to remain responsive to the needs of people seeking support.
As we approach the Christmas and holiday period, it is important to acknowledge that this time of year can be particularly challenging for people experiencing DFSV, as well as their family, friends, and the frontline workers who provide critical support.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season.
Take care,
Susan Anderson
Head of 1800RESPECT
Campaigns
Video call campaign
We’re currently promoting our 24/7 video call channel across some of the Australian Community Media newspapers, and online, in regional, rural and remote areas. I encourage you to promote the video call channel within your networks. You can visit our website for more information about video call, including resources and guides.
Stop Domestic Violence Conference
Recently, 1800RESPECT exhibited at the Stop Domestic Violence Conference on the Gold Coast, which also marked the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It was a valuable opportunity for the 1800RESPECT team to meet with sector advocates, hear their insights, and participate in impactful sessions focused on driving positive change across the sector.
NSW Vigil Collective
1800RESPECT recently attended the annual NSW Vigil Collective at Martin Place organised by Lou’s Place. The ‘No More Empty Shoes’ featured pairs of shoes, reminding us of the women lost this year to domestic, family and sexual violence.
Social Work Impact Summit
1800RESPECT was proud to support the premiere 2025 Lyra Taylor Social Work Impact Summit, with merchandise for the event. The event bought together social workers, policy makers, advocates, researchers and community voices to address domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia.
Research and Reports
Safe Steps family Violence Response Centre: Seeking help in their own right: Young victim-survivors experiences of crisis responses for family violence in Victoria. The report highlights that children and young people experiencing family violence in Victoria face major barriers to crisis support, safe housing, and specialist services, and seeks to address these gaps by centering their voices and experiences.
Australian Institute of Criminology: Parricide in Australia: Findings from the National Homicide Monitoring Program. This study examines the characteristics of parricide in Australia using 35 years of data from the National Homicide Monitoring Program.
BMC Public Health: Regulation of domestic violence: a global perspective. This study examines the global evolution of the laws addressing domestic violence (DV), providing insights on the number and types of laws adopted by countries around the world since early 1980s.
World Health Organization: Violence against women prevalence estimates. This report provides updated global, regional and national estimates for two forms of violence against women: intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence.
Media
Media Release, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: 40% funding boost to 1800RESPECT
SBS News: The Australian government has announced a $41.8 million funding boost for 1800RESPECT, the national domestic violence helpline, to expand access to its 24/7 support services.
The Conversation: How to recognise child-on-child sexual abuse – and how to respond appropriately.
The Conversation: How common is sexually abusive behaviour between children? How should daycare centres respond?
Body+Soul: The all too common experience driving women's transport anxiety.
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!
