Office of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

The Office for 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.

The SA Government has established a range of initiatives that give voice to people with lived experience and ensure that these voices has influence on efforts to strengthen the DFSV system.

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.