Spotlight on Sexual Violence in Western Australia

Over the last 12 months I’ve had the privilege of working with two inspirational women - Dr Alison Evans from the Women’s Centre for Safety and Wellbeing (formerly Women’s Community Health Network) and Nicole Lambert from Allambee Counselling.  Both of these women are passionate leaders in the family and sexual violence and women’s sector, who for years have been advocating for the needs of women and the services that support and serve them.

Nicole Lambert, Executive Officer at Allambee Counselling and Dr Alison Evans of the Women’s Centre for Safety and Wellbeing

We came together around a similar passion.  This was sexual violence.  We wanted to highlight the need in our state of this issue across all areas - prevention, early intervention, response and support.  In Western Australia, sexual violence is a huge gap, a massive need and in desperate need of recognition and specialised sector advocacy.  We wanted to increase awareness of sexual violence, not only to government but to the whole community to make change. 

We realised that an incredible amount of work was needed by us to put the spotlight on sexual violence.  Our goal was to promote sexual violence as an issue to gain the attention of government and the community.  A Western Australia Police grant assisted Dr Evans to start the project and conduct the research that was needed.   Then a Sexual Violence Expert Advisory Group was convened so we could get an understanding of what was occurring across service/sector areas. From her thorough research of the literature and state-based reports and data, Dr Evans put in a considerable amount of time and effort to write a comprehensive report that outlines the current status of sexual violence in Western Australia. 

The report

“Spotlight on Sexual Violence in Western Australia” was launched on the 12th November 2020 at a small event held at City West Lotteries House.  Around 50 sexual violence and other sector professionals attended this event, which also featured guest speakers Professor Donna Chung, Dorinda Cox and guest panellists. I was able to be there for the day in and the buzz around the room was really positive.  There was lots of enthusiasm from other professionals to push forward and support our goals and recommendations relating to sexual violence. 

The report was written to raise awareness but it also has some key recommendations for the Western Australian Government.  If you are reading this and live in Western Australia, I would like to ask you to download the report and talk to your local Member of Parliament and your local sexual violence, family violence, family relationship centre, counselling or child protection agencies to advocate and promote.  Remember, information is power – the report has it all in there for you and others to read.  An election is looming, we can all work together to get some of these recommendations through.

You can download the report HERE

Some key points of the report you may wish to highlight:

·       Sexual violence is prevalent in Western Australia, and the urgency has increased with the impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

·       During the pandemic, government committed to an increase in providing family violence support.   Sexual violence was not provided with any representation or support with response despite its heightened risk to women.

·       There are limited specialist assault services in Western Australia that are government funded.

·       There is very limited funding for sexual violence prevention.

·       No high-level strategy in Western Australia to respond to and prevent the high rates of sexual violence.

·       Worrying community attitudes to sexual violence reported in the latest National Community Attitudes Survey findings.

·       Sexual assault sits with Department of Health – but there is no dedicated sexual violence strategy or prevention plan.

·       No funding for sexual violence peak body in Western Australia (therefore no sector development, education, research, awareness raising and advocacy).

·       The lack of clear ministerial oversight for sexual violence is a serious problem with significant consequences for women and children in Western Australia.

·       The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children includes a focus on sexual violence.  The Western Australian government has not provided any support in this critical priority area of the plan.

For further information about the sexual violence report or how to support us contact:

Dr Alison Evans

Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing

aevans@wchnwa.org.au

or contact me at hello@theorangestory.com.au