The Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence leads the South Australian Government’s response to domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV).
- It coordinates policy development,
- provides a coordination role for DFSV across government, and
- ensures lived experience voices are embedded in service design and decision-making.
Lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence
Lived experience describes the knowledge, insights and expertise that arise from the direct experience of domestic, family and/or sexual violence. The use of the term ‘person with lived experience’ carries an acknowledgment that, for many people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence, the experience is both lived and living – it is ongoing.
We recognise and respect the valuable knowledge, skills and perspectives of people with lived experience of domestic, family and/or sexual violence. How we respond and support people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence must be grounded in the perspectives of those with lived expertise.
Royal Commission recommendations about lived experience
The South Australian Royal Commission into domestic, family and sexual violence clearly highlights the need to ensure diverse South Australians with lived experience contribute actively to system reforms, policy and practice.
We are implementing two key recommendations from the Royal Commission report that relate to lived experience.
Recommendation 11
The South Australia government should set up two advisory groups made up of people who have lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence.
- One group for adults
- One group for children and young people.
These two Lived Experience Advisory Networks (LEANs) give advice to the government based on their experiences. These advisory groups should:
- Be designed with input from domestic, family and sexual violence experts and existing support groups
- Follow clear guidelines
- Be paid for their time and advice and given appropriate support
- Include people from different backgrounds and a range of experiences.
Recommendation 12
The government should create a smaller group made up of members of the LEANs. This Lived Experience Advisory Group will give advice directly to the Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
Lived Experience Advisory Networks
Two domestic, family and sexual violence Lived Experience Advisory Networks (LEANs) are being established.
Adult Lived Experience Advisory Network (LEAN)
The adult domestic, family and sexual violence LEAN is being established by Embolden on behalf of the SA Government.
Children and Young Persons Lived Experience Advisory Network (LEAN)
Work to establish the Children and Young Persons domestic, family and sexual violence LEAN is currently underway and further information will be available shortly.
Domestic, family and sexual violence Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG)
Drawn from the Lived Experience Advisory Networks (LEANs), a small formal group will meet regularly with the Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. This group will form the domestic, family and sexual violence Lived Experience Advisory Group. They will discuss issues and changes to the domestic, family and sexual violence sector.
We will invite people from the Lived Experience Advisory Networks (LEANs) to apply to join the Minister’s advisory group. This process is called an expression of interest.
For further information please contact: dfsvlivedexperience@sa.gov.au