Jacquie Petrusma,Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Now in its third year, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) plays a very important part in raising awareness and providing information on sexual assault. I want to congratulate Jill Maxwell, CEO of the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), for bringing SAAM to Tasmania.
This month is about raising awareness, opening up conversations and breaking down barriers so that everyone in our community can help put an end to sexual violence.
While we are seeing a shift in views, we need to keep building on this momentum by opening dialogue in our workplaces, in our schools, in social settings, at home, in the community and online.
I was pleased to launch the Tasmanian Government’s Hearing Lived Experience Survey in February at SASS, to hear and learn from the stories of family and sexual violence victim-survivors.
The Survey is currently receiving great uptake from people around Tasmania who are bravely sharing their own stories to help us shape our next Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan.
Another important part of the consultation process is inviting public written submissions which open today, and information on how to make a submission is available on the Safe from Violence website
Individuals, organisations, policy makers and community groups are invited to provide feedback on potential initiatives to prevent family and sexual violence, support victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account.
We are also seeking feedback on our current Action Plan, Safe Homes, Families and Communities: Tasmania’s action plan for family and sexual violence 2019-2022.
Submissions will be open from 1 April 2022 to 10 February 2023, and if you would like your feedback to be considered in the development of our next Action Plan, please submit by 30 April 2022.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives everyone in the community the opportunity to play a part in helping to put an end to sexual violence, and I encourage interested workplaces and community organisations to register and take part.
The main day of action for SAAM is Wear Teal Tuesday on Tuesday 26 April, where you can pop on a teal ribbon, hold a morning tea, and talk about how you can help make a difference. You can register at www.sass.org.au.
I encourage all Tasmanians to participate in the activities held across April to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month and help achieve our vision of a Tasmania free from sexual violence.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, please call the Family Violence Response and Referral Line 24/7 on 1800 633 937.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence, please call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line 24/7 on 1800 697 877.
The Hearing Lived Experience Survey can be accessed at: https://www.safefromviolence.tas.gov.au/resources-hub/news-and-announcements/news/public-submissions-open-third-family-and-sexual-violence-action-plan-consultation
