We are developing a 10-year ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy to help Canberrans feel safe in their relationships, homes and communities.

We are setting our principles, which will guide future work in addressing domestic, family and sexual violence over the next 10 years:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination
• Gender equality
• Human rights based
• Intersectionality, inclusion and accessibility
• Collaboration and integration
• Victim-survivor lived experience is at the centre
• Perpetrator accountability
• Evidence informed

There are also four focus areas of the strategy with priorities under each to guide our actions.

These 4 focus areas are:

• prevention – to stop domestic, family and sexual violence from occurring
• early intervention – to identify and support people before violence starts or increases
• response – to address existing domestic, family and sexual violence
• recovery and healing – to address the short term, medium term and lifelong impacts for victim-survivors

Once we have finalised our principles and priorities, we will use them to inform actions. This will be done with further community consultation.

We wanted to know if you think we have identified the right principles and priorities to set up a successful strategy to address domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT. We wanted you to tell us:

• Do you agree with the principles? Do you think there are any principles missing?
• Do you agree with the priorities under the following 4 focus areas: prevention, early intervention, response and recovery and healing? Do you think there are any priorities missing?

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

We have prepared a draft of the strategy for you to consider.

You can read it in full or read the Easy English version.

Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey or sent us feedback as a submission.

To find out more about domestic, family and sexual violence, read the documents in our document library and read 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