Victim Survivor Voice Project
About the Victim Survivor Voice
The Victim Survivor Voice is a peer-led pilot program open to people over the age of 18 who have lived or living experience of domestic, family and/or sexual violence and live in the ACT and surrounding regions.
This discussion-based community listening program seeks to improve ACT services and systems.
We recognise that different people have different levels of time and capacity, so provide a variety of ways to get involved in the Victim Survivor Voice. These include:
- Attending a group or one-on-one session
- Providing a written, verbal or artistic submission
- Completing surveys
- Getting involved in community events
Sessions are peer-facilitated, which means they are led by people with lived experience for people with lived and living experience.
Register your interest
You can register your interest by completing this short online expression of interest form.
Completing this form does not mean you have to participate later.
Once you have submitted an expression of interest, we will send you a follow up email to confirm we have received your details.
Then, a member of our team will get in touch by phone or email to discuss how you would like to be involved and answer any questions you may have.
Eligibility
The Victim Survivor Voice is for anyone who:
- Is aged 18 years and older
- Has lived and/or living experience of domestic, family and/or sexual violence
- Lives in the ACT and surrounding region*
- Is interested in using their lived expertise to inform better systems, services and policies in the ACT
*Includes Canberra and nearby areas such as Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong, Sutton, Coree, Wallaroo, Royalla, Michelago, Tharwa, Burra etc.
What we are learning
You can download the following reports to find out what we have learned from victim survivors in the ACT community so far:
- Overview of Victim Survivor Voice consulting on design survey findings (April 2024)
- Victim Survivor Voice consultation and scoping summary (April 2024)
Contact us
Please email voices@womenshealthmatters.org.au if you have a question about the Victim Survivor Voice or would like to speak to someone in the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be paid for my time and expertise?
If you choose to attend a session or interview, you will be paid $60 per hour for your time and expertise. This will be paid in the form of a gift voucher.
What information will I be asked to share?
We will ask that you only share information you feel safe and comfortable providing.
You will never be asked for information or details about your personal experience of violence. You will not have to answer any questions that you don’t want to. It will always be your choice how much you share. You can step out of sessions at any time you wish and will always be supported to do so.
Our focus is on the access and quality of support, information and options that were and are available to you regarding prevention and response to domestic, family and sexual violence. We want to understand what you think is working well in the ACT, and what needs to be improved.
Our staff have a duty of responsibility for mandatory reporting about harm or suspected harm to children and young people. If something is said that makes us worried about the safety of a child or young person, we may make a report to ACT Child Protection and Youth Protection Services to keep children safe. If that happens, we will always talk to you about this first.
If you have signed a confidentiality clause or a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) about your experience of domestic, family and sexual violence, we strongly encourage you to seek legal advice before you decide to participate.
What will my feedback and expertise inform?
Some or all of your feedback will be used to improve and inform ACT policies, services and systems. You will always be provided with background information, and the ability to ask questions about what your expertise will be used to inform before you take part in any activity.
We will provide reports, recommendations and submissions to the ACT Government to directly inform specific policies, services and reforms. You will be provided with an opportunity to review these before they are finalised or shared with anyone else. These documents will also be published on our website once they are complete.
We will also let you know what happened with the information you shared in closing the loop webinars, which will be recorded and made available on our website.
How will the information I provide be used?
Your information will only be used to contact you about opportunities to participate in the Victim Survivor Voice project, and to report on anonymised key data (e.g. average participant age range) so we can understand how to improve the Victim Survivor Voice program.
All personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with the Women’s Health Matters Privacy Policy.
How will my information be stored?
Your information and personal details will be managed in accordance with the Women’s Health Matters Privacy Policy. Please contact us at voices@womenshealthmatters.org.au if you would like a copy of this document.
We will ask you for consent to record listening sessions with an audio recorder, so we can accurately reflect the information you provide. We may also use an AI Transcribing tool to transcribe (write down) what has been said during the discussion, which we will vet ahead of time to ensure maximum security. Names and identifying information will not be included in the transcript. We will delete the audio recording and save the transcript in a safe and protected folder where it will only be accessible to a small number of Women’s Health Matters staff. Transcripts and audio recordings will never be shared with anyone outside our organisation.
It is possible that some of what you share will be reflected in direct quotes used in the submissions and recommendations. Your quote will never use your full or real name, and we will ensure that it cannot be used to identify you in any way.
How can I give feedback, provide a suggestion or make a complaint?
Please contact voices@womenshealthmatters.org.au or call Women’s Health Matters on (02) 6290 2166.
Who can I contact for a question not answered here?
Please get in touch with the Victim Survivor Voices team at voices@womenshealthmatters.org.au.
I am experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence and need help now. Where can I find support?
In an emergency, or if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the police now on 000.
If you are not in an emergency but need anonymous support or information for you or someone you know, please contact any of the services listed below. These services have trained, compassionate and informed professionals who can talk with you about your options and help you to make plans to keep you safe.
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (ACT)
24/7 crisis intervention support for anyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT.
Phone: 02 6280 0900
Web: www.dvcs.org.au
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (ACT)
Crisis phone lines, counselling and advocacy services for anyone impacted by sexual violence in the ACT between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
Phone: 02 6247 2525
Web: www.crcc.org.au
1800RESPECT
24/7 support for anyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Web: www.1800respect.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service (ACT)
24/7 support for anyone feeling suicidal in the ACT.
Phone: 1300 659 467
Access Mental Health (ACT)
24/7 immediate help for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in the ACT.
Phone: 1800 629 354
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline
Support for members of LGBTQ+ communities (and their supporters) impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1800 497 212
Men’s Referral Service
Counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1300 766 491
Web: ntv.org.au
13YARN
24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, across Australia.
Phone: 13 92 76
Web: www.13yarn.org.au
Lifeline
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 13 11 14
Web: www.lifeline.org.au
