Video - Will telling my story make a difference?
If you are a victim-survivor of family violence and have been to prison, our advocacy program is for you!
We understand that you may have some questions or concerns about becoming an advocate. You are not alone.
In this video, Kianna discusses how sharing your story will make a difference.
News item - ABC Lifestyle: How Amanda's ex used technology to gaslight and abuse her
By Kellie Scott
Posted to ABC Lifestyle, 26/11/25
The use of technology to perpetrate violence against women is a rapidly growing problem.
Amanda’s husband had been using coercive control for many years. The discovery of technology-facilitated abuse left her feeling violated and alone.
News item - The Mercury - Family violence delays
By Sue Bailey
Posted to The Mercury, 09/11/25
A great article by Sue Bailey at The Mercury on Sunday talking about the annual Tasmania Police report showing an increase of 1,125 incidents of family violence between 2023 and 2024.
News item - The Examiner - Tasmania's prison system is doing traumatised women 'more harm than good'
By Owen Sinclair
Posted to The Examiner, 04/11/25
Tasmania’s prison system is doing traumatised women ‘more harm than good’
Kianna Whaling, a lived experience advocate said, “It’s not a place where you’re able to rehabilitate. I think it’s designed more to institutionalise inmates, rather than put them on the right path to recovery. And that’s for all inmates in the women’s prison.”
News item - Tasmanian Times - Systems Abuse Follows Women Behind Prison Walls
By Tasmania Times, 30/10/2025
The death of Chelsea Bracken at Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison has exposed a critical failure – the correctional system itself perpetuates the abuse that brought women there.
Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas calls for urgent reform –
“We must move away from punishing victim-survivors for surviving violence and instead focus on support and rehabilitation.”
News item - Report: system failing family violence victims
By Bridget Clarke
Hobart Mercury, 21/10/25
A damning report by a Tasmanian family violence organisation has laid bare the extent to which institutions intended to support victim-survivors are failing to address, and often, perpetuating abuse.
News item - Lifting the lid on head injuries through domestic violence
Deb Thomson, Lived Experience Advocate spoke with Olivia Hicks on iHeart Tassie on 4 September, 2025 to discuss head injuries caused by domestic violence.
Publication - Systems abuse and family violence in Tasmania: The importance of lived experience expertise
Alina Thomas, Engender Equality CEO and Kianna Whaling, Lived Experience Advocate spoke with Tracey Strong on ABC Radio Breakfast (Hobart) on Monday 20 October, 2025 to discuss the new report on systems abuse, next steps and the importance of lived experience expertise
News item - Too many times victims dismissed
By Lauren Richardson
The Examiner, Monday September 22, 2025
Engender Equality advocate and victim-survivor Deborah Thomson said sports concussions were getting the attention and awareness they needed, but brain trauma acquired through domestic violence wasn’t.
Paper - Survivor feminism: Grace Tame's rhetoric of resistance, solidarity and transformation
By Christine Robertson
Masters of Arts (Writing) Research Project
University of New England