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MEDIA RELEASE

2 September 2025

SEXUAL JUSTICE EXISTS WITH FREE AND HEALTHY DECISIONS FOR VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE 

Engender Equality is using World Sexual Health Day 2025 on 4 September 2025 to remind Tasmanians that sexual health can only truly exist when people can live without discrimination, fear, shame, and stigma.

Sexual assault is an insidious and violent violation and is also a health issue for many victim-survivors. Sexual health care after assault means communicating with care and making sure victim-survivors feel believed, supported, and afforded every safeguard for their health and recovery.

Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas says,

“The reality is that sexual assault within intimate partner relationships carries particular and heightened risks.

“Sexual assault creates health risks and fears including the possibility of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and trauma.

“When victim-survivors disclose sexual assault, their safety, dignity, wellbeing and their autonomy must be at the centre for treating General Practitioners and other frontline professionals.

“The conversations that follow—about sexual health, transmittable infections, and safe follow-up—can be especially delicate.

“Shame, coercion, and fear of retribution often stop victim-survivors from being able to manage the full scope of the risks and consequences of their situation. They may be in the very high risk position of having to talk to their abusive partner about their sexual health and this can expose them to escalations of violence and abuse.

“While it may feel important to rush towards screening for sexually transmitted infections, this response must be delivered by practitioners informed about signs and symptoms of infection, and the fact that many STIs are asymptomatic—so is not necessarily the most urgent task when an assault has been reported.

“Every step of this process needs to be explained in simple, supportive terms that restore agency and reduce shame.

“This is where our Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence program is essential in providing support to General Practices with specialist knowledge and skills to navigate this complexity,” Ms Thomas said.

Jess Drew is the Manager of the Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Pilot, funded by Primary Health Tasmania. Ms Drew explains,

“While in most cases, the risk of an STI transmission is no higher than any other sexual exposure, the fear itself is real and requires careful management.

“We test at baseline to rule out pre-existing infections, but most infections won’t show up until 14 days or more later.

“That’s why clear information, follow-up testing, and supportive care are so important; building trust through listening to and validating the patient is critical,” Ms Drew reported.

Additional Information

This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence support initiative is funded by Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN), through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program. Engender Equality is a not-for-profit agency leading the program in partnership with Laurel House.

More information including how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services can connect with the service is available at 03 6268 1663, admin@pcfsv.org.au or www.engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv.

If you would like to engage a lived experience representative (case study), please see Advocates for Change – Engender Equality , email advocates@engenderequality.org.au or 0415 740 524.

Media Contact: Alina Thomas           0438 788 291

MEDIA RELEASE

27 August 2025

TASMANIA LEADS AUSTRALIA WITH INNOVATIVE GUIDELINES TO INFORM DOCTORS ON LGBTIQA+ FAMILY VIOLENCE RESPONSE 

As we approach ‘Wear Purple Day’ on 29 August, two projects delivered by Engender Equality are merging in Tasmania to address LGBTIQA+ issues of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Engender Equality recently lead Australia in delivering guidelines to fill the gap where there were no dedicated family violence services or tailored resources specifically for LGBTIQA+ people in Tasmania.

Now the guidelines, distributed Australia-wide, will be offered to general practices, to guide inclusive and affirmative practice. This is being delivered through the recently launched Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence project which is offering support and resources to build capacity among 140 general practices in Tasmania.

Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,

“General practices are the frontline and perfect point for early intervention for anyone who is subject to intimate partner violence.

“Sadly, many LGBTIQA+ people try to navigate services without knowing whether providers had the skills or understanding to meet their needs. All too often they chose not to access services at all.

“By addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ individuals, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of IPV and improve outcomes for survivors.

“Apart from societal stigma discouraging folks from seeking help, there is fear of discrimination by law enforcement and support services, and insufficient laws protecting LGBTQA+ individuals from violence and discrimination, making it difficult for survivors to find legal recourse,” Ms Thomas said.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects LGBTIQA+ individuals at rates comparable to or higher than those in heterosexual relationships, with unique challenges and barriers to seeking help.

Research indicates that the lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence among LGBTIQA+ individuals is significant. For instance, studies show that bisexual women experience IPV at rates of 69%, while gay men and bisexual men also face high rates of IPV, with 47% and 46%, respectively. These figures are often comparable to or exceed those of heterosexual individuals.

This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program. Engender Equality is a not-for-profit agency leading the program in partnership with Laurel House and Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS).

More information including how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services can connect with the service is available at 03 6268 1663, admin@pcfsv.org.au or www.engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv.

Ends.

Media Contact: Alina Thomas           0438 788 291

MEDIA RELEASE

13 August 2025

BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS WEEK

BRAIN INJURY COMMON IN VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

As we approach Brain Injury Awareness Week from 18 August, it’s critical to raise awareness on this less talked about cohort suffering brain injuries, usually inflicted by a loved one.

Brain Injury (BI) among survivors of family violence is common and requires urgent attention and care. BI results from injuries inflicted to the head and neck and can lead to chronic symptoms and high morbidity.[1]

Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,

“Assault by choking and non-fatal strangulation, shaking, being pushed into a wall or to the ground where they bang their head, are common causes.

“Our Primary Care Family and Domestic Violence program is focused on improving screening mechanisms for GPs to assist with their forensic medical examination, giving faster turnaround to care and adequate documentation to deliver justice for the victim,” she said.

In recent years, awareness of brain injury in sport, public assaults, and workplace accidents has grown. Campaigns have focused on recognising concussion, preventing harm, and supporting recovery.

However, brain injury has been overlooked when it happens through family or sexual violence. Engender Equality is advocating that brain injuries resulting from family violence need urgent attention; to support victim-survivors’ health and to improve justice outcomes.

Dr Christine Padgett, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania is collaborating with Engender Equality as she researches brain injury caused by intimate partner violence. One of her current projects explores the nature of long-term recovery after brain injury caused by intimate partner violence.

“Brain injuries are often sustained over years and can lead to lasting physical, behavioural, psychological, and cognitive consequences for victim-survivors.

Victim-survivors may not even realise the types of injuries they are sustaining – things like choking for example, can lead to brain injuries. This means they might put symptoms down to stress or not consider them severe enough to warrant attention, when they should be seeking medical advice” Dr Padgett said.

Symptoms like confusion, headache, memory gaps, dizziness, or vision changes, may be an indication of brain injury and victim-survivors should immediately tell their GP or emergency staff exactly how the injury happened.

General Practitioners are encouraged to routinely ask about head trauma and strangulation when working with victim-survivors, record clear details of the injury, order appropriate assessments, refer to brain injury specialists where needed, adapt care for any cognitive impacts, and ensure safety by linking patients with family and sexual violence support services.

Recognising and responding early can prevent further harm, improve recovery, and strengthen a victim-survivor’s access to justice.

Engender Equality is a not-for-profit agency working with and on behalf of individuals, families and communities affected by family and domestic violence in Tasmania.

More information including how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services can connect with the service is available at 03 6268 1663, admin@pcfsv.org.au or www.engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv.

This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence support initiative is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.

[1] Zieman, G., Bridwell, A. & Cardenas, J. F. (2017). Traumatic Brain Injury in Domestic Violence Victims: A Retrospective Study at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Journal of neurotrauma, 34(4), 876-880.

Ends.

Media Contact: Alina Thomas             0438 788 291