Media Release - Primary care is a critical frontline prevention and intervention system - International Day Against Homophobia, Trans & Biphobia
MEDIA RELEASE
15 May 2026
PRIMARY CARE IS A CRITICAL FRONTLINE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SYSTEM – INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANS & BIPHOBIA
On this International Day against Homophobia, Trans & Biphobia on 17 May, Engender Equality is encouraging LGBTIQA+ people to see their doctor as more than just a clinician, but rather a resource for intervention and support in intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“The prevalence of violence among LGBTIQA+ people is significant with Australia’s largest survey of the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ adults (1) showing 61% of this cohort have experienced violence from an intimate partner.
“For LGBTIQA+ people, disclosing violence and abuse is compounded by stigma, discrimination, minority stress, and systemic barriers to people seeking help.
“For this reason, Engender Equality has produced guidelines for front line workers which aims to reduce barriers created by discrimination and heteronormative assumptions” Ms Thomas said.
Sadly, the fear of a lack of skills and understanding among service providers means many LGBTIQA+ people choose not to access services at all. There is fear of discrimination by law enforcement and support services, and insufficient strategies protecting LGBTIQA+ individuals from violence and discrimination, making it difficult for survivors to find legal recourse and other supports.
Kathryn Fordyce, CEO Laurel House said,
“Research shows the rate of child sexual abuse is reported at disproportionately high rates among gender and sexuality diverse Australians (2).”
“Compared with one in five heterosexual Australians, more than half of sexuality diverse Australians reported experiencing child sexual abuse (3).
“Further to this, more than half of gender diverse Australians reported child sexual abuse, compared with 37.3% of women and 18.8% of men.
“Private Lives 3 research confirms the disproportionately high rates of sexual violence experienced by LGBTIQA+ people, with nearly 50% of respondents having been coerced or forced into unwanted sexual acts.
“In the most recent incidents reported, the perpetrator was most commonly a cisgender man.
“For many LGBTIQA+ people, experiences of sexual violence, child sexual abuse and intimate partner violence are not isolated from broader experiences of stigma, discrimination and barriers to help-seeking.
“This reinforces why safe, affirming and informed primary care matters and involves asking safely, listening without assumptions, and connecting people to specialist support,” Ms Fordyce said.
Ends.
(1) Hill, A. O., Bourne, A., McNair, R., Carman, M., & Lyons, A. (2020). Private Lives 3: The health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/documents/arcshs-research-publications/Private-Lives-3.pdf
(2) Higgins, D. J., Lawrence, D., Haslam, D. M., Mathews, B., Malacova, E., Erskine, H. E., Finkelhor, D., Pacella, R., Meinck, F., Thomas, H. J., & Scott, J. G. (2025). Prevalence of Diverse Genders and Sexualities in Australia and Associations With Five Forms of Child Maltreatment and Multi-type Maltreatment. Child Maltreatment, 30(1), 21–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595231226331
(3) National Office for Child Safety. How many people have experienced child sexual abuse?
https://www.childsafety.gov.au/about-child-sexual-abuse/how-many-people-have-experienced-child-sexual-abuse
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Additional Information
Download a copy of the LGBTIQA+ Family Violence Practice Guidelines.
The Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Program 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 https://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 phone: 0415 740 524.
Media Release - Nurses see the signs of intimate partner violence and sexual assault - International Nurses Day
MEDIA RELEASE
7 May 2026
NURSES SEE THE SIGNS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT – INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY
During International Nurses Day on 12 May, Engender Equality acknowledges the role nurses play in breaking the cycle of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and sexual assault.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“Nurses and midwives are often among the first professionals to recognise signs of family and sexual violence and child sex abuse.
“They have unique opportunities for private conversations with patients while tests are underway and the opportunity to build trusted relationships.
“Patients experiencing family and sexual violence may present with physical injuries, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, pregnancy complications, or behavioural changes.
“In many cases, individuals may not disclose violence directly, making early identification more complex. A supportive response from a nurse or midwife can make a meaningful difference.
“Even brief interactions can help individuals feel heard, validated, and more confident in seeking further support.
General practitioners and nurses have mandatory reporting obligations under Tasmanian law through the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1997 and the Family Violence Act 2004. Fulfilling those obligations is both a legal requirement and a professional responsibility designed to protect children and vulnerable people.
Jess Drew, Manager, Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Program said,
“Our work with general practitioners, nurses, practice managers and reception staff in clinics throughout Tasmania over the past year means they are well placed to respond if their patient chooses to disclose family and sexual violence and child sexual abuse.
“We’ve been working with clinics on our SAVADA framework which encourages them to: Spot the signs; Ask appropriate questions; Validate and believe; Assess risk and safety; Document; and take Action to refer the patients further.
“All general practices and Aboriginal Health Services throughout the State also have a dedicated family and sexual violence support specialist available to provide advice should any patient choose to disclose.
We encourage anyone experiencing family or sexual violence to reach out to their doctor and disclose their situation to whomever they feel most comfortable speaking with, so they can receive help.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Additional Information
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Program 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 https://engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv/.
Media Release - General practice provides safe haven for those experiencing family violence - National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day - 6 May 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2026
GENERAL PRACTICE PROVIDES SAFE HAVEN FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING FAMILY VIOLENCE – NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REMEMBRANCE DAY – 6 MAY 2026
During National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day on 6 May, Engender Equality urges women to seek help from their doctor if they or their children are faced with family and sexual violence and child sex abuse.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“General practices are well placed to identify and take early steps which support patients breaking the cycle of violence.
“Our Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence (PCFSV) Support Program, in partnership with Laurel House, has rolled out to every general practice in the State in the past twelve months.
“Through it we have offered capacity building and support to doctors, practice managers, reception and nursing staff to assist them in identifying and responding to family and sexual violence.
“We recognise disclosure is a difficult thing for many victim-survivors, however, general practices now have everything, including dedicated support specialists, at their fingertips to support victim-survivors should they choose to disclose,” Ms 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, and at least 28.5% of all people will be victim-survivors of child sexual abuse(1). Every week, on average, at least five patients attending their doctor will be experiencing family and sexual violence, and/or child sexual abuse.
Jess Drew, Manager, Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Program said,
“Over 1 in 5 women make their first disclosure of family violence to their doctor making the general practice setting important for domestic violence interventions (2).
“There is a significant difference in disclosure rate between women who were asked about abuse by a GP (75.3%) and those who had not (26.8%), and our work with general practice is to help clinic staff frame the appropriate line of questioning.
“Women who had been asked about violence by their doctor were twice as likely to disclose.
“We’re very pleased with the growing level of engagement among general practice doctors, practice managers, reception and nursing staff who care deeply for their patients.
“We are equally pleased with the engagement with Aboriginal Health Services throughout the State which required a more relational, culturally informed approach to this serious issue facing Aboriginal women and children,” Ms Drew said.
(1) Australian Child Maltreatment Study, 2023
(2) Hegarty, K. L., & Taft, A. J. (2001). Overcoming the barriers to disclosure and inquiry of partner abuse for women attending general practice. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 25(5), 433-437.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Additional Information
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Program 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 https://engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv/
Media Release - National Candlelight Vigil shines light for family violence victims
MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2026
NATIONAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL SHINES LIGHT FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Each year on the first Wednesday of May communities from all over Australia gather for a candlelight vigil in
remembrance and honour of those who have lost their lives to family violence. This meaningful event, marking the beginning of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, brings together victim-survivors, family violence workers, family violence reform advocates and community members not only in a moment of reflection, but to shine a light on the devastating impact family violence has on individuals, families and the wider community.
In Tasmania, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Committees, incorporating representatives from government and non-government family violence organisations in Tasmania, have organised candlelight vigils will be held simultaneously with others around the country on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at Parliament House Lawns in Hobart at 5.30pm, the Wharf Precinct, Gnomon Pavilion in Ulverstone at 6.00pm, and the Civic Square in Launceston at 5.30pm.
In 2025, as we faced an average of more than one woman being killed by an intimate partner per week in Australia, the candlelight vigil remembers those who have lost their lives to family violence. The event also allows attendees to honour the courage of those victim-survivors who continue to experience violence within their homes and families. The candlelight vigil provides a meaningful opportunity for the community to gather in solidarity to provide their support to victim survivors of family violence, while also raising awareness of the issue and promoting the support options available to them.
Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas says “It is wonderful to have people show their support and solidarity with victim-survivors and their families. The impact of violence and abuse is felt in families, in workplaces and in all communities across Tasmania.”
This year’s vigils will feature speakers who have been personally impacted by the horror of Family Violence and are involved in Engender Equality’s Advocates for Change program.
“Over recent years we have seen the vigil growing in size as our awareness and intolerance of violence against
women increases. This is a social issue that is not going away and we are seeing more and more community
members come out to say that women have the right to live in safe communities”, states Ms Thomas.
It is hoped that the National Candlelight Vigil to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to family violence will allow Tasmanians to stand together in solidarity to communicate that not only we will never forget these victims, but we as a community will also not tolerate family violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or abuse, help is available. Please contact the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122.
Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas will be available to speak to the media prior to, or at the conclusion of the candlelight vigil, and in the day/days prior by arrangement.
For all media enquiries please contact:-
Alina Thomas
CEO, Engender Equality
Ph: 0438 788 291
ceo@engenderequality.org.au
Media Release - Midwives crucial to detecting reproductive coercion - International Day of the Midwife
MEDIA RELEASE
28 April 2026
MIDWIVES CRUCIAL TO DETECTING REPRODUCTIVE COERCION – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE
During International Day of the Midwife on 5 May, Engender Equality reflects on the critical role of midwives and other women’s health care providers in identifying women experiencing reproductive control and coercion.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“Reproductive control or coercion may take the form of contraception sabotage and/or pressure to either carry a pregnancy to term or to have a termination.
“Midwives and other health professionals are in the position to assist women in identifying and naming these coercive behaviours and help them regaining autonomy and control over their reproductive health.
“Any behaviour that interferes with a person’s reproductive autonomy is both a form of interpersonal abuse and sexual violence.
“Governmental policies and systems that influence or restrict reproductive choices, including those which limit access to terminations, are also a form of abuse and create a climate where reproductive coercion can flourish.
Reproductive coercion can include forcing or pressuring someone to become pregnant or to terminate a pregnancy or preventing someone from accessing contraception. Doing things to stop contraception from working such as ‘stealthing’, the act of removing a condom during sex, or forcing or pressuring someone to undergo sterilisation are also prevalent. Some partners using violence prevent their partners from accessing reproductive health care, including screening tests for sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer (pap smears).
Jess Drew, Manager, Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Pilot said,
“Our Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence (PCFSV) Support team is working with general practices, family planning clinics and Women’s Health Tasmania throughout Tasmania to support their work with victim-survivors.”
“A patient appearing isolated from other family members and friends or who seems reluctant or regretful about their reproductive health choices, including past pregnancies or terminations may also indicate reproductive coercion.
“If a patient appears intimidated by, or afraid of their partner, the patient’s partner speaks for the patient, makes decisions on their behalf, or is otherwise controlling, this would be a red flag.
“The patient’s partner may insist on attending routine medical appointments, including consultations on contraception and reproductive health to exert control.
“Practices such as screening for reproductive coercion with the partner out of the room and having clinic protocols in place that provide private examinations for women, without incident or arousing concern, are important.
“We ask practitioners to treat reproductive coercion with the same gravity and sensitivity you would other forms of intimate partner, sexual or family violence.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Additional Information
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence Support Pilot 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 https://engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv/.
Media Release - Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026: Neurodiversity brings unique challenges for family and sexual violence
MEDIA RELEASE
17 March 2026
NEURODIVERSITY CELEBRATION WEEK 2026: NEURODIVERSITY BRINGS UNIQUE CHALLENGES FOR FAMILY AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
During this week’s celebrations of the unique strengths and talents of neurodiverse people in our community, Engender Equality wants to remind carers and general practitioners of the unique vulnerabilities of this cohort.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“Research has commonly found that neurodivergent women and gender diverse people are more likely than non-neurodiverse people to experience abuse. (1)
“Violence against neurodivergent women is not just interpersonal but structural and gendered.
“Women with overlapping marginalised identities experience heightened forms of inequality and oppression.
“Autism spectrum and other neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia can increase vulnerability because socio-cultural and structural factors impact their rights and well-being.
“They might have difficulty communicating in social settings, misunderstand boundaries or be unable to make sense of their experience of violence.,” Ms Thomas said.
Possible signs of concern may include a marked change in someone’s usual presentation, such as becoming unusually withdrawn, hyper-alert, distressed or agitated. A sudden decline in mental wellbeing, reluctance to attend a service, or distress in the presence of a particular person may also indicate that something is wrong. These signs should be approached with curiosity and care, particularly in the context of neurodiversity and mental health where distress may be expressed in different ways. Physical injuries such as bruising, scratching, or other unexplained injuries may also be present.
Manager, Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence program, Jess Drew said,
“For carers and practitioners, it is important to avoid assumptions that signs and indicators are attributable to either abuse or to neurodiversity and instead consider both when working with neurodivergent people who may have or are experiencing abuse.
“Consider supporting neurodiverse women and gender diverse people’s healing and recovery by:
• offering safe, affirming and trauma informed spaces to process their experiences
• establishing rapport and trust, by allowing them to explore relationships, sexuality, and safety in a non-threatening way
• assess communication needs and adapt your language accordingly, avoiding leading questions and using neutral opening prompts to help reduce anxiety
• provide an opportunity to see the patient alone or for part of the consultation, as stress in caring relationships can intensify in caring environments and in some
circumstances may increase the risk of harmful or violent behaviour from the caregiver.
“Assess consent carefully and remain alert to the possibility of coercion, particularly where there are differences in communication, understanding or decision-making capacity between the parties.” Ms Drew said.
(1) Fox, J., Carroll, J. A., & Death, J. (2025). ‘… there’s so much within the work that we do where all we kind of need is the space and the safety’: The experiences of Australian practitioners who support autistic survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Autism, 29(10), 2524-2534.
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence is funded by Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN), through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program. The program is delivered by Engender Equality in partnership with Laurel House.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
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 phone: 0415 740 524.
Media Release - New project launch - Dads for Gender Diversity
MEDIA RELEASE
13 March 2026
NEW PROJECT LAUNCH – DADS FOR GENDER DIVERSITY
Tasmanian family violence service, Engender Equality has launched a new project –Dads for Gender Diversity – to support Tasmanian fathers in affirming, celebrating, and advocating for their trans and gender diverse ‘children’ (of any age).
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“We are delighted to roll out this programme in Tasmania.”
“It is such an important area and there is so little research available to guide the formation of a framework of support for fathers of trans/LGBTIQA+ people.
“In a society of ongoing transgender prejudice and discrimination, parental support is the most important factor protecting the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse young people.
“However, evidence from practice and the limited research available, suggest that this support is primarily provided and led by mothers.
“Dads face unique challenges to understand, affirm, and support their ‘child’s’ gender identity.
“Challenges come from rigid ideas in our community about gender, and what it means to be a man and father,” Ms Thomas said.
Our Watch’s Innovation Grant underpinning this project comes through their Violence Prevention Innovation Lab. The Violence Prevention Innovation Lab is designed and led by Our Watch and funded by Minderoo Foundation and has enabled us to pick up this significant work.
Project Manager, Don Pitcher said,
“Ideas about male independence, and social judgement and prejudice towards trans and gender diverse people mean that dads are often isolated.”
“They do not get the chance to talk with other fathers about either the barriers they confront, or the joy they can experience in understanding and affirming their kids gender identity.
“This social judgement of gender diversity, along with rigid gender stereotypes can even invite some men to feel like a failure as a man and father when their young person identifies as trans or gender diverse.
“We are going to create a space where dads of trans and gender diverse people can come together to share their experiences and love for their trans kids, and to support, challenge and inspire each other.
“More than that, we want to find a way to collect these dads’ stories and learning, and to make them available to others, so that all dads of trans young people know that they can do this,” Mr Pitcher said.
For more information email don@engenderequality.org.au, visit the Engender Equality website or phone (03) 6278 9090.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Media Release - Call for Tasmania to transform the systems that condone and enable violence - No to Violence National Conference, Hobart
MEDIA RELEASE
11 March 2026
CALL FOR TASMANIA TO TRANSFORM THE SYSTEMS THAT CONDONE AND ENABLE VIOLENCE – NO TO VIOLENCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE, HOBART
CEO, Alina Thomas will lay down the gauntlet tomorrow to Tasmanian institutions saying systems are built on social norms that privilege male dominance and female compliance.
Speaking tomorrow at the 2026 National Conference: Ending Men’s Family Violence: From local practice to national strategy, the CEO of Tasmania’s specialist family violence organisation, Engender Equality said,
“If we are serious about addressing gender-based violence, we must examine the actions of individual people who use violence alongside the institutional ecosystems that enable and sustain harm.
“Systems that claim impartiality while ignoring structural power dynamics may inadvertently reinforce those dynamics of inequality.
“Transforming institutional responses therefore requires honesty, and sustained commitment.
“It requires listening to victim-survivors, following the leadership of specialist services, and confronting the structural biases embedded within our systems.
“Ultimately, we need to eliminate men’s violence, but we will not do this until we are willing to redesign the system that condones and enables the violence.
“If we want different outcomes, we must be willing to design different systems,” Ms Thomas said.
Ms Thomas spoke to Engender’s latest publication entitled Systems abuse, patriarchy, and the institutional production of harm which explores how institutional responses to intimate partner violence can inadvertently produce harm. It outlines three interrelated forms of institutional involvement in abuse: systems abuse, systemic harm, and systemic collusion. It also situates these dynamics within the broader framework of patriarchal social structures and argues for systemic reform grounded in gender equity, relational accountability, and victim-survivor expertise.
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 phone: 0415 740 524.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
EXAMPLES
- Police identifying discrete incidents of violence instead of ongoing patterns of coercive behaviour
- With a significant proportion of male police officers reporting having used violence in their own intimate relationships, complex questions arise about whether institutional culture and accountability can protect women
- Legal systems frequently require victim-survivors to provide extensive proof while people using violence benefit from institutional caution
- Child protection systems sometimes interpret mothers’ inability to avoid violence as “failure to protect”, effectively penalising victim-survivors rather than holding perpetrators accountable
- Family law processes may prioritise male parental contact over safety concerns, placing victim-survivors and children at continued risk.
Media Release - Victim-survivors should action strategies to stay safe on the Internet
MEDIA RELEASE
6 February 2026
VICTIM-SURVIVORS SHOULD ACTION STRATEGIES TO STAY SAFE ON THE INTERNET
As we approach Safer Internet Day on 10 February 2026, Tasmanian family violence service, Engender Equality is urging women in coercive or violent relationships to take steps to stay safe on the internet.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“For people experiencing controlling or violent behaviour from a partner or former partner, learning the options that will make you safer online will limit the perpetrators access to your life on the Internet.”
“Online stalking is a way to exert power and control by creating fear and confusion and often involves alienating the victim-survivor from friends and family, she said.
“Behaviours can include ‘bugging’ someone’s computer, phone or other device with ‘spyware’ to track computer use without you knowing, hacking social media pages and accessing phones,” Ms Thomas said.
Fortunately, there are many safety tools for browsing the internet, emailing, and using a phone. Here are some sites that may help E-safety Commissioner or Technology safety and domestic and family… | Full Stop Australia.
Strategies such as using a ‘safe’ computer through a friend or the public library, never using your real name, getting a second phone, clearing browser history, keeping passwords memorised rather than written down, and changing phone and computer settings to private, can help.
Legal help with online stalking and other forms of technological abuse is also available. Always keep evidence of online abuse in case an intervention order is needed and forward the unwanted emails to police or a case worker.
If you would like to interview a lived experience representative (case study), please see Advocates for Change – Engender Equality, email advocates@engenderequality.org.au or phone: 0415 740 524.
For more information visit the Engender Equality website or phone (03) 6278 9090.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Media Release - Safe landing required as violence rises significantly over the holiday period
MEDIA RELEASE
17 December 2025
SAFE LANDING REQUIRED AS VIOLENCE RISES SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD
Tasmanian family violence service, Engender Equality is calling for awareness and empathy from service providers over the Christmas holiday period when Australian crime statistics and police data show a significant rise in family and sexual violence incidents.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“It can be a very challenging time for victim-survivors as perpetrator’s use Christmas
‘arrangements’, particularly in relation to children, to manipulate and attempt to exert control over, threaten, and/or harass a current or former partner.
“Safe spaces such as work and school are closed, as are services that facilitate safe changeovers for parents who are experiencing post-separation abuse.
“We ask that when victim-survivors reach out for help from those services there to support them — such as Police, Accident and Emergency, GPs and the courts -they feel believed, supported and protected.
“The practices and attitudes of the support systems can make an enormous difference to the safety of victim-survivors and their children.
The following Family and sexual violence support services may also be available:
| Family and sexual violence support services | ||
| Service | Contact | Hours |
| Emergency | 000 | 24/7 |
| FVCSS (Family Violence Counselling Support Service) | 1800 608 122
|
9am – midnight weekdays
4pm – midnight weekends and public holidays |
| (03) 6777 2290 South | ||
| (03) 6166 0444 North-West | ||
| Strong Families, Safe Kids | Free Call 1800 000 123 | |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14
Text 0477 13 11 14 |
24/7 |
| SASS | 1800 697 877 | 24/7 |
| Laurel House | 1800 697 877
1800 MYSUPPORT |
24/7 |
| Northern Tasmania
(03) 6334 2740 |
||
| Northwest Tasmania
(03) 6431 9711 |
||
| Safe Choices | 1800 806 189 | 9am and 5pm – Monday to Friday |
| Text 0448 046 918 (South) | ||
| Text 0439 910 435 North & Northwest | ||
| safechoices@aohtas.org.au | ||
| 1800 RESPECT national helpline | 1800 737 732 | 24/7 |
| Text (SMS) ‘HELLO’ or a greeting to 0458 737 732 | 24/7 | |
| Men’s Referral Service | 1300 766 491 | 24/7 |
For more information visit the Engender Equality website or phone (03) 6278 9090.
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 phone: 0415 740 524.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291