Consultation for the ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual violence (DFSV) Strategy is continuing with victim survivors, the DFSV sector, community services and government agencies.

We are developing a 10-year strategy to help all Canberrans be safe from gendered violence at home, in their relationships, and in the community.

2024 Consultation

We sought community feedback on an early draft of the Strategy. While there was strong support, stakeholders called for deeper engagement with victim-survivors and the DFSV sector.

2025 Further Consultation

We engaged Impact Co. to hold further consultation with DFSV sector stakeholders on a long-term, whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to preventing and responding to domestic, family and sexual violence.

We are also working with Women’s Health Matters to consult with victim survivors through the Victim Survivor Voices Pilot Program.

Impact Co. are consulting on:

• DFSV Strategy: To provide strategic direction for preventing and responding to DFSV in the ACT.
• First Action Plan: Details current initiatives and proposed reforms.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: To track progress and measure impact.

Timeline
The Strategy is being developed in four phases:

1. Planning and sector engagement
2. Long-term Strategy consultation
3. First Action Plan consultation
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework development.

What we are hearing

Early insights from the 2025 long-term Strategy consultation are:

• More choice for victim-survivors in who provides their support and the types of support available
• A more cohesive, comprehensive and easier to navigate domestic violence response and support system in the ACT
• More accountability and support for people who choose to use violence.

2024 Public Consultation: ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy

In March and April 2024, the ACT Government invited feedback on an early draft of the Strategy.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 public consultation and completed the survey or shared a submission.

The consultation closed at 11:59 pm on 28 April 2024.

• The Listening Report summarises community feedback and is available here and in the Document Library.
• You can access the early draft of the Strategy here or view the Easy English version or Word version for improved accessibility.
• To find out more about domestic, family and sexual violence, visit our Document Library or browse the information on our website.

If you are experiencing or have experienced 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 www.1800respect.org.au for 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 www.dvcs.org.au.

• The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre crisis line can be contacted on 02 6247 2525 between 7 am and 11 pm seven days a week and further information can be found at www.crcc.org.au.

• Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups, and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14 anytime, text 0477 13 11 14 12 pm to 12 am AEST 7 days a week, or talk online 7 pm to 12 am AEST 7 days a week.

• Blue Knot Foundation Helpline provides help, information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and anyone working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9 am to 5 pm AEST 7 days a week or email helpline@blueknot.org.au

• Kids Helpline provides free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800 anytime, talk online anytime at kidshelpline.com.au or email counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au