MEDIA RELEASES

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.

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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.

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Media Contact: Alina Thomas             0438 788 291

MEDIA RELEASE

16 July 2025

DOCTORS THE KEY TO EARLY INTERVENTION FOR ABUSE OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY

As the community celebrates people with disability this month, Engender Equality and partners are launching a primary care support program for general practitioners and their staff to identify and respond to family and sexual violence (FSV).

Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,

“On average, at least 28.1% of women who enter a Tasmanian General Practice, every day, will be victim-survivors of Family and Sexual Violence (FSV).

“Studies have also shown that children with disabilities are between two and four times more likely to experience sexual abuse.

“Engender Equality has partnered with Laurel House and Sexual Assault Support Services to deliver the Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence (PCFSV) support program which aims to support doctors and their staff in identifying and responding to FSV.

“People with disability who also face communication challenges are at heightened risk of interpersonal violence.

“Communication requires that you look for, identify, and remove barriers and actively support people with appropriate devices, communication boards, and your undivided attention.

“While violence being identified by doctors offers the opportunity for early intervention, we must all be vigilant and prepared to respond if we become aware of or suspect anyone is at risk of family or sexual violence,” Ms Thomas said.

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. We see gender inequality as both the cause and the context of family violence. Only by actively challenging gender-based oppression can we achieve positive and respectful relationships within healthy, inclusive structures and institutions.

For more information on the PCFSV support initiative email admin@pcfsv.org.au. For any other family and domestic violence matters contact Engender Equality at (03) 6278 9090, admin@engenderequality.org.au or visit our website at www.engenderequality.org.au.

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.

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Media Contact: Alina Thomas             0438 788 291

MEDIA RELEASE

13 June 2025

WOMEN WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND INCARCERATION TO SPEARHEAD ADVOCACY

Family violence service, Engender Equality is inviting women with a lived experience of family violence and incarceration to join their lived experience Advocates for Change program and help drive systemic, community and social change.

Chief Executive Officer, Engender Equality, Alina Thomas said,

“Engender Equality prioritises the voices of victim-survivors in all activities related to the Advocates for Change program.

“Women who have experienced incarceration deserve the same support, respect, and opportunities as all women affected by family violence.”

“To reflect this, we are extending our existing Advocates for Change program to better support this part of our community.”

“The factors leading to women entering and returning to prison are deeply complex and often rooted in repeated and intergenerational experiences such as violence, homelessness, poverty and child removal.” she said.

“These issues are even more pronounced for First Nations women and girls, who remain disproportionately represented in the prison population.”

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.

Women who have been incarcerated and survived violence bring valuable expertise about how the criminal justice, legal and support services systems operate, and often fail. They can see problems and injustices that others might overlook.

When victim-survivors speak up and take on roles to advocate for change, they directly influence the way laws, services and the justice system work. Their insights can push for fairer, trauma-informed responses for people who have been harmed.

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.

Currently, the Advocates for Change team includes more than thirty diverse victim-survivors from across Tasmania. Together, they have meaningfully contributed to key initiatives, including feedback to Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Three essential elements of an effective Tasmanian Child Sexual Abuse Reform Strategy and Action Plan‘; influencing change to Tasmania’s strangulation laws which now identify it as a crime in itself; Participation in preparation of A statement from victim-survivors in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032; and presentations to the Disability Royal Commission during its 2022 Tasmanian hearings.

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Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291

For interviews or further photos please contact Alina

MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate release: 17 October 2024

Systemic Failures Devastate Lives of Family Violence Victims

Forum on Systems Abuse in Family and Sexual Violence

Hobart, TAS – The Southern Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee (DVCC) is hosting a crucial forum on systems abuse in family and sexual violence. This event will shed light on the way people who use abuse take advantage of systems and manipulate formal processes to continue their litany of abuse and intimidation.

The forum draws on victim-survivor informed case studies to illustrate the devastating effects of the abuse and discuss ways to improve the support and protection systems in Tasmania.

Systems abuse occurs when the very systems designed to protect and support survivors of family and sexual violence are used to perpetrate harm, often through misidentification, lack of coordination, and a gross misunderstanding on the presentation of family violence. “When our systems fail to understand what family violence actually is, we find people who use abusive behavior manipulate the systems creating a terrible and insidious problem that exacerbates the trauma experienced by victim-survivors. When the systems meant to protect victim-survivors fail, it not only undermines their wellbeing, safety and recovery but also erodes their trust in the justice system,” said Alina Thomas, CEO of Engender Equality.

The forum will bring together key stakeholders, including survivors, advocates, service providers, and policymakers, to address the critical issue of systems abuse. Featured speakers include Zoe Rathus AM, Senior Lecturer at Griffith University Law School, who has extensively published and presented on women and the law, with a focus on the family law system and the impact of domestic and family violence on women and children. Also joining is a representative from the Federal Family Violence Commissioner’s Office, along with Sara Stevens, developer of a comprehensive four-day Family Violence Screening and Assessment training program, now mandated for staff at the Safe Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line and Child Safety Service within the Department for Education, Children and Young People in Tasmania.

The day will cover several critical topics, including the impact of systemic failures on survivors of family and sexual violence, strategies for improving coordination and communication among support services, the role of policy and legislation in addressing systems abuse, and insights from frontline practitioners and researchers.

“Addressing systems abuse is crucial for ensuring that our response to family and sexual violence is effective and compassionate. We must listen to the experiences of victim-survivors as their expertise is essential to our understanding. Then, we must work together, with a whole-hearted commitment to closing the gaps in our support systems and providing a coordinated, survivor-centered approach,” added Ms. Thomas.

The event will take place on Monday, 21 October 2024, at 10:00AM at the Moonah Arts Centre.

Contact: For all media enquiries, please contact: Alina Thomas CEO, Engender Equality

E: ceo@engenderequality.org.au M: 0438 788 291

Photos and interview opportunities are available following the event, 21 October at 1pm – Moonah Arts Centre.

For immediate release: 28 February 2023

The injustice of reporting family violence – Engender Equality to release research discussion paper on the misidentification of the predominant aggressor by family violence respondents

• A study by Women’s Legal Service NSW reported that two-thirds of women who had been identified as primary aggressors were victim survivors.
• A study by Women’s Legal Service Victoria reported that one in ten women who were victim-survivors had been misidentified as primary aggressors.
• Tasmanian has a unique legislative approach to family violence which may contribute to misidentification.

Following a public forum held in 2022, Engender Equality is holding an event at Government House Hobart on Thursday 2nd March, 2023 to launch their research discussion paper on the misidentification of the predominant aggressor in Tasmania.

Engender Equality is releasing a research discussion paper on the misidentification of the predominant aggressor in Tasmania with an event at Government House Hobart to coincide with International Womens’ Day. This follows the successful public forum held in 2022 that provided the opportunity for community representatives and government representative to talk about the issue.

The research discussion paper Misidentification of the Predominant Aggressor in Tasmania: Practitioner Perspectives from Engender Equality provides important insight through the perspectives of family violence practitioners into the experiences of victim-survivors of family violence who have reported to police but have been wrongly identified as the aggressor in the relationship.

Misidentification of predominant aggressor occurs when the police or other responder inaccurately determine who the person using abusive behaviour is in a family violence relationship.

Previous research has shown that predominant aggressors are more likely to use violence for abuse and control, whereas victim-survivors are more likely to use violence in retaliation or self-defence. In response to a report of family violence, police may misinterpret these nuanced dynamics, leading them to misidentify the victim-survivor as the predominant aggressor.

“There is a growing body of research to suggest that women are being misidentified as predominant aggressors in increasing numbers in Tasmania. Women who have been misidentified may face criminal charges, poverty, removal of children, loss of reputation and employment and re-traumatisation through the system that is meant to be there to protect them. Misidentification may be influenced by systems abuse (perpetrator using the system to use power and control) and incident-based policing. It is clear that the impacts are broad and far-reaching and influence the recovery of a victim-survivor in many ways” Ms Thomas explained.

“We are hoping that this paper will assist police and stakeholders who provide family violence support to gain greater insight into the issue and encourage policy and legislation to be reviewed to reduce the number of victim-survivors who are mis-identified. Engender Equality is very passionate about advocating to address this problem and hope that our research leads to change.” Ms Thomas added.

A full copy of the report will be made available the website engenderequality.org.au after the event.

Attendance at the event is by invitation only but there will be a media opportunity on the lawns of Government House after the event which runs from 12:30 – 2:00 pm.