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MEDIA RELEASE

5 August 2026

YOUNG VICTIM-SURVIVORS TO DRIVE CHANGE THROUGH LIVED EXPERTISE

Family violence service, Engender Equality is inviting young victim-survivors between the ages of 14 to 19 with lived experience of intimate partner, family and/or sexual violence to join their lived experience Advocates for Change program and help drive systemic, community and social change.

Lived experience advocate and peer worker, Peyton said,
“Growing up in a cult, I experienced religious abuse, close relationship violence and sexual assault.

“I sought accountability by reporting the intimate abuse, but a year later was told there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed. The worker who shared the outcome told me, ‘Don’t think he’s getting away with it. He regrets his actions and feels very remorseful.”

“Hearing that was devastating. It felt like his feelings were being prioritised over the harm he caused. The response minimised my pain and left me feeling unheard.“

“When people who use violence aren’t held accountable, we put other young women at risk of experiencing the same abuse. Accountability is important, not only for perpetrators, but also for the services and systems that engage with young people.”

“That’s why lived experience matters. When young people with experiences like mine come together, we can help improve the systems that are meant to support us. Our voices are powerful, our experiences are valid, and together we can create change for young survivors.”

Family violence is a culturally embedded problem for young people in Australia. In a national survey of Australians aged 16–24, 48.4 per cent of respondents reported experiencing intimate partner violence, with young women reporting higher rates and greater severity of abuse. In Tasmania, an estimated 40 per cent of 18–19-year-olds have experienced domestic violence in their relationships,

Chief Executive Officer, Engender Equality, Alina Thomas said,

“The statistics alone reflect the urgent need for more prevention, and early intervention services.”

“Children are facing adult problems; however, our services and systems are unable to respond to those needs. Young people need information and resources to understand safe, healthy relationships, and to advocate for themselves.”

“By providing a specialist, trauma-informed advocacy program, we can equip young people with the tools to identify family and sexual violence, challenge norms that condone gender-based violence and to use their voice to influence change.”

Advocates for Change is a volunteer program, where participants are trained and supported to share their lived experience and expertise to improve outcomes for all victim-survivors and ultimately end family and sexual violence. Opportunities include public speaking, talking to the media, contributing to law amendment submissions and providing input into policy and activity design.

Lived-experience advocate and Coordinator of the Advocates for Change Program, Sneha Sapkota explains, “At Engender Equality, we are passionate about supporting social change and advocating for the rights of women, mothers and victim-survivors. We believe that sharing our platform with victim-survivors leads to more just and effective outcomes for everyone.”

“Of course, the program prioritises the emotional and personal safety of all advocates. This includes assessing potential risks, their individual readiness, and offering professional counselling as well as ongoing peer support,” Ms Sapkota said.

The new intake includes a four-day training program designed to build understanding about the drivers of violence and current statistics. It provides practical skills such as engaging with the media, identifying and crafting effective messages, writing and delivering a speech, and using lived experiences to influence decision-makers.

The advocacy training will be delivered on 5, 8,12 and 15 October 2026.

Media Contact:

Alina Thomas, CEO, Engender Equality 0438 788 291 

For a lived experience representative (case study) please contact advocates@engenderequality.org.au or
0415 740 524.

Introduction to Peyton Hastings, Peer Worker
My name is Peyton Hastings; I am 21 years old and live in the north of Tasmania. I have experienced religious abuse, close relationship violence, and sexual assault.
Growing up in a cult taught me to keep quiet and not question authority. This had a huge impact on how I viewed right and wrong. It made me believe that the things that were happening to me were okay.

It was through connections and conversations with friends and others that had been through similar experiences to me that made me realise the severity of my situation.

This is why I know that speaking up about your experiences is so important and can help make a change to how violence is viewed. I’ve joined Advocates for Change because I want to help others share their story and feel confident enough to help change the system.

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