MEDIA RELEASE
29 September 2026
Non-Fatal Strangulation Forum will challenge status quo in Tasmania
Despite the introduction of standalone non-fatal strangulation (NFS) offences in Tasmania in 2022, required administrative infrastructure and systems to respond have never been implemented.
Keynote speaker, Professor Heather Douglas said,
“Almost a quarter (23%) of the women who reported being sexually abused by an intimate partner also reported NFS.”
“The odds of NFS were 8.4 times higher for women sexually assaulted by an intimate partner compared to women reporting sexual assault by a friend/acquaintance and 4.9 times higher compared to women assaulted by a stranger,” Heather said.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“This forum brings together first responders throughout the state to discuss how we recognise and respond to this critical issue, including the infrastructure and systems needed.”
“We’re asking general practitioners, ambulance officers, police officers and accident and emergency personnel to bring their knowledge and experiences forward so we can forge change,” Alina said.
Laurel House Acting CEO, Kaity Graham said,
“Non-fatal strangulation is a serious public health issue for women in Tasmania, especially young women, that can have life-threatening consequences, even when there are no visible injuries.”
“We need people to recognise the risks, take disclosures seriously and ensure victim-survivors can access timely medical care and specialist support” Kaity Graham said.
Support: This forum discusses family and sexual violence, including non-fatal strangulation. If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service (FVCSS) on 1800 608 122, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 national counselling, information and support, for statewide 24/7 sexual assault support call 1800mysupport on 1800 697 877. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
Speaker’s profiles and topics outlined below.
Speaker’s profiles and topics:
Click through to their profiles:
- Professor Heather Douglas, AM, FASSA is a Professor of Law at the Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, leading author on non-fatal strangulation
- Lucy Lord, CEO & Advocate for recognition of NFS in Intimate Partner Violence with Red Rose Foundation
- Dr. Meredith Stronach, General Practitioner and Forensic Medical Examiner
- Dr. Christine Padgett, Psychologist, Lecturer at UTAS, and Researcher into Brain Injury
- Dr. Chantal Roddy, Clinical Neuropsychologist at Mindset Neuropsychology
- Erin Giles, Lived Experience Advocate for Change
Media opportunity to interview all speakers also available on the day of the forum:
Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Time: 9.00-9.45 am
Location: Moonah Arts Centre, 24-27 Albert Street, Moonah
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.
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. The program is led by Engender Equality in partnership with Laurel House.