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Advocacy

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Queensland Sexual Assault Network
Postal: C/o 118 Charles Street
Aitkenvale, QLD 4914

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Acknowledgement of Country

QSAN acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as the custodians of the land on which we live, walk, work and play.

We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their knowledge and their role as this countryโ€™s first carers, teachers and healers.

We acknowledge the ongoing contribution of all First Nationsโ€™ people to our Queensland community, including to the prevention of sexual violence in Queensland.

Aboriginal flag, Torres Strait Island flag, and LGBTIQ+ flag

Latest Posts

Queensland needs a clear, coordinated plan to prev Queensland needs a clear, coordinated plan to prevent sexual violence and reduce offending. ๐Ÿšจ At the same time, specialist sexual violence services need funding certainty beyond 2027 to avoid a looming funding cliff. QSAN stands ready to work with government to develop this plan and build and strengthen the specialist workforce, ensuring victim-survivors receive the timely, high-quality support they deserve when they reach out for help. #SexualViolencePrevention #PreventSexualViolence #StopSexualViolence
Consultation is now open on the development of the Consultation is now open on the development of the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022โ€“2032. Sexual violence requires dedicated attention within the Action Plan, including meaningful action to strengthen prevention and response. Feedback is being sought on what is working, what is not, ideas that will make a tangible difference, and any other relevant matters. Anyone can complete the survey or make a submission by 31 July 2026. Visit the link in our bio -> Have Your Say. #SexualViolencePrevention #SexualViolence #SexualAssaultPrevention #SexualAssault
When victim-survivors make the brave decision to r When victim-survivors make the brave decision to reach out for help from a specialist sexual violence service, one of the first conversations they have is the serviceโ€™s limits on confidentiality. For victim-survivors, this means knowing their rapist has the right to see at least some of their confidential counselling notes at trial, despite legislative protections. ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—บ๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜ ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ฒ. Similar to laws in Tasmania - that have operated for decades - Queensland needs an absolute protection to fully protect confidential sexual violence counselling notes from use in criminal law proceedings. ๐Ÿ“’๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ Victim-survivors have a right to heal and shouldn't be choosing between safety and justice. #StandWithSurvivors #SupportSurvivors
As QSAN continues to grow, weโ€™re excited to welcom As QSAN continues to grow, weโ€™re excited to welcome several new team members over recent weeks. Alongside Angelaโ€™s ongoing leadership, our growing team will support QSANโ€™s advocacy, sector leadership, prevention work and engagement across the state. ๐—”๐—ป๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฎ โ€“ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ณ ๐—˜๐˜…๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐˜๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ Angela has worked with QSAN for more than four years and has over 30 years of experience in the delivery of gendered violence services across Queensland. As Chief Executive Officer, she is leading QSAN through a period of significant growth, focused on strengthening the sector, building on the expertise of this highly collaborative network, and increasing capacity to support victim-survivors across Queensland. ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฎ โ€“ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ณ ๐—ข๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ Carla joins QSAN in the newly established Chief Operating Officer role, supporting the continued development and operations of the peak body. She brings extensive experience supporting not-for-profit and community service organisations through effective people and culture practices, alongside leadership and governance experience across both corporate and for-purpose sectors. ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ฒ โ€“ ๐—ข๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ Sammie supports the day-to-day operations of QSAN and helps strengthen coordination across our work and membership network. She brings seven years of experience across the family law and domestic violence sectors in both community organisations and private practice, with a strong background in administration and operational support. ๐—Ÿ๐—ฎ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฎ โ€“ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—บ๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ Laura works across QSANโ€™s communications and engagement activities, supporting advocacy campaigns, member communications, digital content and public awareness initiatives. She brings almost 10 years of experience in communications and content creation across not-for-profit, community and commercial sectors, specialising in storytelling, media and community engagement. With more team members joining in the coming months, this marks an exciting new chapter as QSAN continues building its capacity as Queenslandโ€™s sexual assault peak body.
Today, on National Sorry Day, QSAN acknowledges th Today, on National Sorry Day, QSAN acknowledges the profound and ongoing impacts of colonisation, forced child removal and systemic violence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities. Many children of the Stolen Generations experienced abuse, institutional violence and profound trauma, including sexual violence. The impacts of these harms continue to be felt by individuals, families and communities today. Today, we honour the voices, experiences and histories of Stolen Generations survivors and acknowledge there is ongoing work needed toward healing, justice and self-determination. This includes continued truth-telling, addressing systemic inequities, supporting culturally safe and community-led services, and recognising the enduring impacts of intergenerational trauma on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities. #NationalSorryDay #StolenGenerations #TruthTelling #Healing
QSAN was honoured to be invited to attend the Prem QSAN was honoured to be invited to attend the Premier's breakfast for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month last Friday and to participate in and speak on a panel at the launch of the new QLD DFV strategy. The Honourable @amandacammmp, Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, advised at the forum that she was open to considering a specific standalone Sexual Violence Strategy for Queensland. We look forward to engaging further with the Minister on this issue. #DFVPM2026 #EndingDFV #DomesticFamilyViolencePreventionMonth #SexualViolencePrevention
We can stop the rise of sexual violence. But we ne We can stop the rise of sexual violence. But we need a plan. QSAN once again calls for a dedicated 10-year Queensland Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Plan to be developed that includes strategies for marginalised communities. Sexual violence in Queensland is increasing. In 2025, reports of sexual offences rose by 7.2% following a two decade upward trend. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Yet only 8% of victim-survivors report sexual violence to police. It is likely that overall prevalence rates are increasing, with sexual violence affecting victim-survivors across their lifespan, including younger cohorts. Technology is also increasing the reach, scale and impact of sexual violence in our communities. Sexual violence remains one of the most under-reported, under-charged, under-prosecuted and under-convicted crimes in Queensland. Without sustained investment and a statewide strategy, victim-survivors will continue to face barriers to safety, support and justice. ๐Ÿ˜” Sexual violence has lifelong impacts on victim survivors. We owe it to them - and the broader community - to do better. QSAN calls on the state government to implement our 10 Point Plan that outlines the action needed to strengthen prevention, response and recovery across Queensland: https://bit.ly/QSAN10pointplan. #SexualViolencePrevention #SupportSurvivors #StopSexualViolence
May marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention May marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in Queensland. This yearโ€™s theme - together Queenslanders can prevent domestic and family violence - reminds us that ending domestic, family and sexual violence is a shared responsibility across our communities, systems and services. Everyday QSAN member services respond to cases involving intimate partner sexual violence, which is sexual violence committed by a current or former intimate partner, such as a spouse, dating partner, or person with whom someone is in a romantic or sexual relationship with. Sexual violence in the context of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is very common, with research finding that women supported by DFV services reported experiences of intimate partner sexual violence at the rate of 90-100%. The issue of intimate partner sexual violenceoften remains hidden, yet the harm is cumulative, patterned and can be normalised over time, which in turn, can make it difficult to identify. However, it is essential to recognise that living in fear of consequences does not equate to free and voluntary consent. Reported sexual violence is increasing in Australia, with police-recorded sexual assault victims rising for 12 consecutive years. In 2024, recorded incidents hit a 31-year high, with 40,087 victims, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Throughout May, QSAN stands with our members and the broader DFV service community to: โ€ข raise awareness of the impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence โ€ข support and believe victim-survivors โ€ข challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours โ€ข promote pathways to safety, healing and support โ€ข continue advocating for prevention and systemic change Violence has no place in our homes, relationships or communities. If you require support please contact @dvconnectqld or @1800respect_australia. #DFVPM2026 #EndingDFV #DomesticFamilyViolencePreventionMonth #SexualViolencePrevention
QSAN welcomes the recent announcement in Victoria QSAN welcomes the recent announcement in Victoria to strengthen protections for people who have experienced sexual violence by better safeguard counselling communications. We await further details about these changes. Currently in Queensland, there is an absolute privilege protecting counselling notes up to and including the committal but a qualified privilege at trial. This means, the defence can and often does, still get access to the victim-survivor's confidential counselling notes at trial as a matter of course. QSAN advocates for legal changes in Queensland that would introduce an absolute privilege to prevent the use of counselling records in sexual violence criminal trials, similar to protections that have existed in Tasmania and South Australia for decades. Counselling records do not โ€˜proveโ€™ a crime has been committed but often provide information that the defence can use to discredit the the victim-survivor in cross-examination, often based on outdated assumptions and rape myths. These protections are critical in reducing harm within the justice process, and increasing the confidence of victim-survivors to engage with formal processes and we call on the Queensland Government to progress these reforms for an absolute privilege as a matter of urgency. @debfrecklingtonmp @amandacammmp #StandWithSurvivors #SupportSurvivors ๐Ÿ“ธ Image: Sexual Assault Services Victoria

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