A new Lived Experience Advisory Network is set to provide advice and expertise to the South Australian Government on domestic family and sexual violence matters.
The network – a significant recommendation of the Royal Commission into Domestic Family and Sexual Violence – will capture advice and feedback from people with lived experience of violence to inform government and sector decision-making, Royal Commission implementation and help create meaningful change, the Government said in a statement.
It is being coordinated by peak body, Embolden, and will be the first statewide network of its kind in South Australia.
“The stories of brave survivors were critical to the work of the Royal Commission and will be at the heart of all we do to help to shape change across awareness, prevention, intervention, response, co-ordination and recovery and healing in South Australia,” said Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Katrine Hildyard.
“The Network will play a deeply important role in creating a fairer, safer future for everyone in our community.
“Survivors and their voices matter. I encourage South Australians who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence and feel comfortable to contribute their thoughts and ideas, to consider expressing their interest in joining this important new network.
“Survivors know what is needed and our efforts must be guided by them. This Network will help ensure that they are.”
Its establishment was one of seven key recommendations immediately accepted by the SA Government following the release of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence report in August.
Members of the network may be asked for their views on the design, development and evaluation of domestic, family and sexual violence services and initiatives.
“Embolden is privileged to coordinate the LEAN as the peak body for specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services in South Australia,” said Embolden CEO, Mary Leaker.
“People with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence have a unique standpoint that comes from their knowledge, insights and expertise.
“This network ensures that lived expertise will be heard and acted on, creating a service system that more effectively prevents violence and meets the needs of diverse victim-survivors,” she said.
The Royal Commission report also recommended the formation of a separate Network for children and young people, which will follow early next year.
People who wish to express their interest in the Network can visit www.embolden.org.au for more information.
For more information about South Australian Government domestic, family and sexual violence programs and initiatives, visit www.dhs.sa.gov.au/DFSV.
