National Lived Experience Advisory Council to amplify the voices of people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence

Twelve further members have been appointed by the Australian Government to join the first ever Lived Experience Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to amplify the voices of people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence, at the national level.

As victim-survivors stated in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 (the National Plan), “We hold knowledge and answers that others simply do not. We are diverse but galvanised by a common cause. We know what needs to change. No meaningful solutions can be made about us without us.”

The Advisory Council will ensure that people with lived and living experience of domestic, family and sexual violence are at the centre of conversations to create and improve domestic, family and sexual violence policy, systems and services.

The full Advisory Council met for the first time in January, bringing together the diversity, knowledge and expertise of members from across the country.

Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, said that centring and amplifying the voices of people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence is crucial to ending violence against women and children.

“We cannot have conversations on ending gender-based violence without meaningfully engaging and listening to the voices and experiences of people who have been impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence,” Ms Cronin said.

“People with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence have a deep understanding of the nuances, the challenges and the failings that must be addressed, they hold the solutions, and they must be at the table in national conversations.

“The first-ever national Lived Experience Advisory Council will provide a core mechanism for people with lived experience to provide strategic advice and solutions to government on ending domestic, family and sexual violence.”

Last year seven members were appointed to steward the formation of the Advisory Council, and from June, began engagement with government and to ensure trauma-informed processes and supports were established.

A national expression of interest, run between August and September 2023, saw over 400 people across Australia with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence apply to be on the Advisory Council. The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (the Commission) would like to thank all those who made the effort to put in an expression of interest, and were impressed by the calibre of all who applied and their eagerness to engage with government.

From the expression of interest, a rigorous process was undertaken to appoint 12 people from across Australia to the Advisory Council for a 24-month term.

Quotes Attributable to Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth from Minister Rishworth

“The contributions of victim-survivors and their powerful action and advocacy helps us all to be better at addressing domestic, family, and sexual violence,” Minister Rishworth said.

“It takes courage to turn trauma into action. Through elevating the voices of survivors we can make progress towards our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation.

“Our Albanese Labor Government is committed to listening and engaging meaningfully with people with lived and living experience of family, domestic and sexual violence.”

Quotes Attributable to Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot

“The Lived Experience Advisory Council ensures that the voices of victim-survivors are heard and championed from across the country”, Assistant Minister Elliot said.

“I look forward to continuing our work with the Advisory Council, and ensuring that their insights inform our next steps as we all work together to implement the National Plan.”

The Advisory Council will share advice with the Commission to create and improve domestic, family and sexual violence policy, systems and services and report on implementation and progress towards the objectives of the National Plan.

To view the full membership of the first-ever Lived Experience Advisory Council visit www.dfsvc.gov.au