SASVic acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional and ongoing custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded and recognise First Nations peoples' right to self-determination and continuing connection to land, waters, community and culture.
SASVic also acknowledges victim survivors of sexual violence who we work for every day. We acknowledge the pervasive nature of sexual violence, and the impact that it has on survivors and their communities. We celebrate the powerful advocacy of survivors that is changing systems and policy.
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Service Design & Improvement
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to maria.papadontas@sasvic.org.au
Advocacy & evidence
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to amy.webster@sasvic.org.au
New ANROWS report reveals high levels of workplace sexual harassment towards LGBTQ young people
77% of LGBTQ young people have experienced workplace sexual harassment, according to new research from ANROWS. The study, which included more than 1,000 LGBTQ young people aged between 14 and 30, also found that perpetrators were typically men who were older than those they harassed. 46% of perpetrators were co-workers at the same employment level, while 31% were customers. Transgender people experienced higher rates of workplace sexual harassment (80%) than cisgender people (74%), and an alarming 30% of people who reported experiencing workplace sexual harassment said they'd received threats to "fix" their sexual orientation or gender identity through sexual violence.
New national program to combat forced marriage
The Federal Government is investing over $9.3 million over four years to deliver a new Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program across the country. Beginning in January 2025, Life Without Barriers will deliver intensive and tailored support services to people who are at risk of, or who have experienced, forced marriage. Services will focus on health, well-being and social support, including access to counselling and legal services.
In October, SASVic submitted to the consultation on enhancing civil protections and remedies for forced marriage. We referred the consultation to the submissions from Women’s Legal Service Victoria and InTouch regarding civil protections and remedies, particularly their calls to prioritise practical supports for victim survivors of forced marriage.
Workforce development
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to emily.roberts@sasvic.org.au
Prevention
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to jaeme.opie@sasvic.org.au
Survey: connecting with local liquor forums
We're surveying SASVic members to see whether they're currently connected or would be interested in connecting with the local liquor forum in their area.
Coordinated by local police, a liquor forum is a meeting of local licensees from venues, police, local council, organisations with an interest in alcohol issues and liquor industry representatives who meet, typically 3-4 times per year for an hour.
The aim of the forums is to:
- improve safety of licensed venues - such as sporting clubs, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and packaged liquor outlets
- network and build relationships with local businesses and police
- develop local harm prevention actions
- share knowledge and experience.
New Our Watch resources: Men in Focus
A recent survey by Our Watch found that though four in five men want to change the rates of violence against women, 43% say they personally can't do anything. The findings accompanied the release of Our Watch's latest practitioner resources for people who work with men. The Men in Focus resource collection is designed to support people to address masculinities and work with men in the prevention of men’s violence against women. It includes 14 videos, three infographics and eight practitioner support guides.
Legal policy
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to jacqueline.bell@sasvic.org.au
Victims Charter review
The Victims of Crime Commissioner is consulting for a major review of the Victims' Charter Act 2006.
The Commissioner wants to hear from victims of crime, frontline workers and those working in the justice and victims’ services system to help shape victims’ rights and ensure the Victims’ Charter is meeting victims’ needs.
There is a short consultation time frame, with submissions due by 17 January 2025. Please reach out directly to our Legal Policy Manager, Jacqueline Bell, if you have any feedback you'd like us to include in our submission. We'd like to gather feedback from members by 19 December.
Sexual offences among the least proven in court
Just 4% of rape charges and 11% of all sexual offences end up being proven in court, according to new attrition data from the Crime Statistics Agency. Rape is the third least proven charge, with only being drunk and disorderly and stealing from a motor vehicle having lower rates.
Kathleen told The Herald Sun the figures were "disturbing," and that "rape survivors are treated differently from other victims of crime... There is this perception that victims don't report enough but the problems are within the other places... For as long as rapists know they can probably get away with it, we're undercutting a lot of the good work we do". The article also reported on our report with Fair Agenda advocating for victim survivors to be able to give pre-recorded evidence.
National review of child sexual abuse and sexual assault legislation
The Australian Institute of Criminology has undertaken a national review of child sexual abuse and sexual assault legislation. The review finds significant consistency across Australian jurisdictions in consent provisions that reflect a communicative model of consent. There is larger variation in how and to what extent provisions incorporate an affirmative model of consent. The review also finds significant consistency in provisions criminalising sexual conduct, particularly contact sexual offences, image-based sexual offences and child sexual abuse material offences. There is less consistency in provisions criminalising conduct to enable unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful sexual conduct against specific groups, such as cognitively or mentally impaired victims, and unlawful sexual conduct under specific circumstances, e.g. within relationships of care or authority.
Other news
Resource recommendation: alternatives to non-fatal strangulation
Queer sex ed organisation Scarleteen has put together a detailed resource on the risks of non-fatal strangulation ("choking"). The resource includes suggestions for safer alternatives that might create a similar feeling.
Follow SASVic for more updates.
Workforce training
Keep up to date with training and event opportunities for the sector by visiting the SASVic Training Page
Bookings open now
If you are interested in registering for a training course, please speak with your manager. If you have any questions, please contact training@sasvic.org.au.
Supporting Victim Survivors through the Legal System ONLINE SERIES
Join experts across Victoria Police, the Office of Public Prosecutions and the legal profession to learn about the criminal justice process and supports for victim survivors of sexual assault. Free for SASVic members
Foundations in Sexual Violence 6-Day Short Course, with the UK Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit
Join Dr. Fiona Vera Gray from the London Metropolitan University, alongside a range of local guest speakers for a 6-day short course covering topics such as feminist theory and historical perspectives, sexual violence, child sexual abuse and intersectional framings. March 25 - 27 and April 1 - 3. Melbourne University College. Fees will apply.
Foundations in Feminist Somatics
**Bookings now open** Join Susan Stark and Kendra Russell for this full-day in-person training designed to provide practitioners with foundational skills in feminist somatics. This workshop provides an introduction, as well as practical tools and resources to support counsellors to increase their capacity and confidence in integrating somatic frameworks within 1-on-1 sessions with victim-survivors of sexual assault. Wednesday 19 March, 9.30am - 4.30pm, Second Story Studios.. Fees will apply.
Untouched: Sex and Intimacy
**Bookings now open** Join Susan Stark and Kendra Russell for this full-day in-person training which aims to build foundational skills and knowledge for workers seeking to increase their capacity and confidence in providing support to survivors of sexual abuse and violence, regarding issues related to sex, intimacy and pleasure. Two dates available: Thursday 20 March OR Friday 21 March, 9.30am - 4.30pm. Second Story Studios. Fees will apply.
Sector calendar
Below are some of the meetings happening across the sector. Please contact the meeting chair to find out more, including how you can join networks or comittees related to your area of work and interests.
WD Standing Committee
The Workforce Development Standing Committee provides advice to SASVic and supports the ongoing implementation and development of education and training projects, including but not limited to the workforce development program.
Kayti Murphy
catherine.murphy@sasvic.org.au
Webinars and events
Please check with your manager before registering, where appropriate.
SASVic's 2025 Campaign & response to ALRC inquiry
Join Jacqui, Amy and Holly from SASVic at our February information session for an overview of what's happening in sexual violence policy at a federal level and how we can push for change in Victoria ahead of the 2025 state budget in May.
Date: Tuesday, 25 February
Time: 2pm
Location: Online
Project Paradigm's Shifting the Paradigm Webinar Series
At this webinar, PhD candidate Genevieve Bloxson will present her research, "Five forms of Coerced “Self-Produced” Child Sexual Exploitation Material: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis."
Date: Tuesday, 25 February
Time: 1pm
Location: Online, via Zoom
Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse
This webinar, co-produced by Child Family Community Australia and Emerging Minds, will outline some strategies that you can use to support non-offending parents following a child's disclosure of sexual abuse.
Date: Wednesday, 19 February
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Location: Online
Left Write Hook screening & panel
Head to the Dax Centre for a special screening of the Left Write Hook documentary, followed by a panel discussion.
Date: Saturday 1st March
Time: 3PM
Location: Kenneth Myer Building, Ian Potter Auditorium, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville
Tickets: $35
Two-Part Professional Development: Enhancing Gender and Disability Inclusive Practice
Women With Disabilities Victoria are offering a series of two workshops for social and community service professionals to learn about how gender and disability inequality drives violence, and how you can prevent it.
Part 1: Wednesday 19 March, 10am - 3pm
Part 2: Thursday 20 March, 10am - 3pm
Location: Melbourne CBD
Cost: $350 for employed professionals
Resources and links
SASVic and member details
SASVic organisational structure with staff names and positions
Specialist Sexual Assault Sector Map
Here is a map that helps people find their local specialist sexual assault service.
National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence
SASVic is a member of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Assault (NASASV).
Acronyms
Here is a list of acronyms. Please let us know if you've discovered any more we should add.
FVSV Knowledge Hub
The Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge on is a one-stop shop for practitioners, program managers, policymakers and funders to access the latest research, resources, case studies, webinars and training opportunities.