Join SASVic’s call for greater investment in survivors’ recovery
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we’re calling on the Victorian Government to invest in rights, recovery and respect for survivors of sexual violence in the upcoming Victorian state budget on 20 May. As part of our campaign, we’re calling for greater investment in survivors’ recovery.
“[Through having support, I] went from being like, ‘I am a broken, bad person’ to being like, ‘I have been damaged by other people’s actions’.”
Sexual violence can undermine survivors’ self-perceptions, relationships and their sense of safety, autonomy and belonging in the community.
Survivors have told us that recovering or healing after sexual violence is an ongoing process of growth and change - and that it is possible, with the right support.
The one-to-one counselling that specialist sexual assault services offer can be transformative.
It can help survivors make sense of their experience.
However, the work that specialist sexual assault services do is critically undervalued in comparison to the work of similar sectors.
We're calling on the government to respect this life-changing work and propel funding rates into the 21st century.
What about other support options?
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. To support effective recovery, survivors should have access to a range of groups and other non-traditional therapies.
However, our current funding model limits the amount of flexible and long-term supports we can offer. We need a new funding model that enables us to provide the services our research tells us are needed and offer them to all survivors.
Alongside a new funding model, we’re calling for the resources to expand therapeutic and peer support groups delivered by the specialist sexual assault sector that are already changing lives.
Our services are for everyone but there are barriers to accessing services for many.
Our recent research, commissioned by the government, recommended we develop a rights-based access strategy and more online accessible recovery resources, and expand work with our partners in the alcohol and other drug, mental health and criminal justice sectors.
To make this happen, we need to see meaningful investment in the sector.
RECOVERY
We’re calling on the government to:
Fund specialist sexual assault services at a rate equivalent to family violence therapeutic counselling
Work with the sector to design a new funding model
Resource the sector to expand the number of therapeutic and peer support groups offered by the sector
Increase accessibility through a rights-based access strategy
Fund SASVic to set up an online ‘Recovery Hub’
Fund SASVic to work with our partners in the alcohol and other drug, mental health and criminal justice sectors
Help us call for systemic change by learning more about our Rights. Recovery. Respect. campaign.