Overview of Victim Survivor Voice consulting on design survey findings
If you are in immediate danger call 000. Further support services can be found at the bottom of this document.
Background
The Victim Survivor Voice project is to design, develop and pilot and intersectional and sustainable consultation model for adult victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence (the model).
People with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence are at the centre of the Victim Survivor Voices project. It is extremely important to us to listen, and act, on their thoughts, feedback and concerns at all stages of this project.
Survey consulting on the design of the Victim Survivor Voice project
Women’s Health Matters ran a survey in February and March 2024 to seek input from people with lived experience on the development of the Victim Survivor Voice project.
This survey was for people who:
- Were aged 18 years or older,
- Have experienced any form of domestic, family and/or sexual violence, and
- Live in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and region.
This survey asked:
- Would you be interested in becoming involved with the Victim Survivor Voice consultation model to inform improved services and systems?
- Please tell us about what Women’s Health Matters could do to make you feel comfortable, respected and supported if you became involved in this project?
- Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
We thank the approximately 150 people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence who took part in this survey. We value the expertise, generosity and contribution of every one of these people.
Our Violence Prevention Coordinator read every individual survey response. Thematic analysis was then used to highlight the key survey findings. These findings are included below.
Who we heard from
Read more »We asked people to tell us whether they were a member of any of the diverse and intersecting identities we listed, inviting them to select all that apply.
- 34% of respondents said that they were not part of any of the groups listed
- 66% selected one or more of the following:
- 32% selected ‘People living with mental illness’
- 26% selected ‘People with disabilities’
- 22% selected ‘LGBTIQ+ communities’
- 13% selected ‘Multicultural communities’
- 7% selected ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’
- 10% selected ‘Carers’
- 7% selected ‘Other’
- For each of the following options, fewer than 6% selected:
- ‘Prefer not to answer’
- ‘Young people’
- ‘People employed in the sex work industry’
What we heard
Read more »When we asked if people would be interested in being involved:
- 62% said yes
- 29% said they were unsure
- 9% said no
From the people who provided qualitative (written) responses
- 18% said they are motivated to use their lived experience to support other people who experience domestic, family and sexual violence
- 11% raised the importance of being respectful and inclusive of diverse experiences, and recognising that people experience domestic, family and sexual violence in many different ways
- 11% said they would like to have the option to participate anonymously
- 20% raised the importance of respectful and trauma-informed practices, including:
- Believing women
- Providing flexible opportunities to participate
- Demonstrating cultural integrity
- Providing participants with clear information, transparency about processes and clarity about expectations
- Reimbursing people for their time and expertise
- Respecting privacy and confidentiality
- Providing a non-judgemental environment
- Having a recovery and healing focus
- Providing ways to stay up to date with how information from participation is used
- Demonstrating empathy and kindness
We heard the importance of providing a variety of different ways to participate. We heard that some of these ways could include:
- Attending a community forum
- Taking part in a one-to-one interview
- Participating in a peer group with other survivors
- Completing a survey or questionnaire
- Developing, drafting and reviewing a policy submission
- Meeting online and/or in-person
- Sharing a personal story or experience
- Providing an artistic and/or written submission
We heard that some people who are not sure about participating have concerns about:
- Not having enough time to participate
- Feeling concerned for their safety if a perpetrator or family member found out they had participated
- The risk of being re-traumatised by talking and thinking about their experience
- Feeling that their own experience of violence was too long ago, or does not count as a valid experience
Some areas people are interested in consulting on include:
- How children and young people experience violence
- How people with disability experience violence
- Improving the legal system
- Accessing and navigating supports
Other important points people raised were:
- Taking action and demonstrating outcomes from lived experience input
- Sufficient time must be provided throughout all stages of the process
- Voices are diverse, so representation should be too
- Personal circumstances can change very quickly, so it is important to be flexible and allow for involvement at different stages of the process
- Many people feel most comfortable speaking to female staff
- Not everyone with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence identifies as a ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’
What will happen now
Read more »Women’s Health Matters will soon begin development of the model, continuously testing it with key stakeholders (including people with lived experience). Findings from this survey, as well as information gathered from community consultation and research, will be used to inform the design of the model.
Where you can find support
If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, please know you are not alone and help is available.
- Phone 000 if you are in immediate danger.
- 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence service. They can be contacted on 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.aufor 24/7 confidential information, counselling and support.
- The Domestic Violence Crisis Service 24/7 crisis intervention line can be contacted on 02 6280 0900 and further information can be found at dvcs.org.au.
- The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre crisis line can be contacted on 02 6247 2525 between 7am and 11pm seven days a week and further information can be found at crcc.org.au.
