The Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) brings together people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence to share their insights and help improve policies, programs and services across South Australia.
The South Australian Government created the LEAG following the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence’s recommendation in ensuring people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence have a clear and direct voice in government decision-making.
The group is made up of members from the adult Lived Experience Advisory Network (LEAN), and meets with the Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence to share expertise and provide advice to the South Australian Government.
Expressions of interest for the LEAG are closed and will reopen in 2028.
LEAG members
LEAG members use their lived experience, knowledge and skills to provide advice to the Minister and the South Australian Government on domestic, family and sexual violence issues.
The group consists of up to 12 members, including a chairperson. Meetings happen four times a year, with options to participate both online and in-person.
Members are expected to attend and prepare for meetings, review agenda items and related materials, and contribute their lived experience to discussions. They help maintain a safe and respectful environment, keep shared information confidential, and support culturally safe and compassionate discussions where diverse perspectives are valued.
Benefits of being a LEAG member
Key benefits of being a LEAG member include:
- Having a direct voice to government
Members provide advice directly to the Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, helping to ensure government decisions, policies and reforms are informed by lived experience. - Making a real impact for victim‑survivors
Members contribute to shaping policies, programs and system reforms that aim to improve responses and outcomes for people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. - Recognition of lived experience as expertise
Lived experience is recognised as a valuable form of knowledge and expertise, equal to professional and academic perspectives. Members participate in a formal government advisory role. - Paid participation
Members are remunerated for their time as the group is a formal government committee, in line with SA Government boards and committees’ arrangements. - A supportive, culturally safe environment
Members are part of a group that prioritises cultural safety, compassion, respect and diverse perspectives, with clear principles guiding how members work together. - Skill development and learning opportunities
Members may access training, professional development and consultation opportunities that build confidence, skills and understanding of government processes. - Connection with others with lived experience
Participation offers opportunities to connect with people who have diverse lived experiences of domestic, family and sexual violence, fostering peer connection, shared learning and mutual support.
Requirements of LEAG members
All LEAG members must meet the following criteria:
- Have lived experience of domestic, family or sexual violence
- Must be a current member of the Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Lived Experience Advisory Network (LEAN)
- Be a South Australian resident
- Be over 18 years of age.
Please note: The South Australian Government is co-creating a Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Lived Experience Advisory Network for children and young people. More information will be available later in 2026.
More information
For more information about the Lived Experience Advisory Group, you can:
LEAG meeting outcome summaries
The Government of South Australia is committed to centring lived experience voices in its work to implement its response to the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (the Royal Commission). Victim-survivor voices must be visible, influential, and central to the future domestic, family and sexual violence system in South Australia.
In line with Royal Commission recommendations 11 and 12, South Australia has established strong lived experience advisory forums: two Lived Experience Advisory Networks, one made up of adults and one specifically for children and young people, and a Lived Experience Advisory Group for adults.
Inaugural meeting
The Lived Experience Advisory Group provides direct advice to the Honourable Alice Rolls, Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence ensuring lived experience informs high-level decision-making.
12 members have been appointed to the Group which met for the first time on 23 September 2026. The Group will meet four times per year.
The meeting focused on creating the foundations of a strong, safe and impactful advisory group. This included agreeing on how the Group will operate and how their lived experience and expertise will be used to shape the implementation of Building Safer Futures – the State Government’s response to the Royal Commission.
Outcomes of the September meeting
The Group provided advice on the guidance that will be given to agencies and organisations engaging with people through the Lived Experience Networks and Group. This advice will be used to ensure the guidance is appropriate, robust and informed by voices of people with lived experience. The expected outcome is engagement with both the Lived Experience Networks and Group will be safe, respectful, considered, and appropriate.
There is nothing worse than sharing your experience, and the harm that has been done to you, and not being heard or understood.
Next steps
The Group will next meet in December 2026.
The Government of South Australia is committed to centring lived experience voices in its work to implement its response to the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (the Royal Commission). Victim-survivor voices must be visible, influential, and central to the future domestic, family and sexual violence system in South Australia.
In line with Royal Commission recommendations 11 and 12, South Australia has established strong lived experience advisory forums: two Lived Experience Advisory Networks, one made up of adults and one specifically for children and young people, and a Lived Experience Advisory Group for adults.
Inaugural meeting
The Lived Experience Advisory Group provides direct advice to the Honourable Alice Rolls, Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence ensuring lived experience informs high-level decision-making.
12 members have been appointed to the Group which met for the first time on 23 September 2026. The Group will meet four times per year.
The meeting focused on creating the foundations of a strong, safe and impactful advisory group. This included agreeing on how the Group will operate and how their lived experience and expertise will be used to shape the implementation of Building Safer Futures – the State Government’s response to the Royal Commission.
Outcomes of the September meeting
The Group provided advice on the guidance that will be given to agencies and organisations engaging with people through the Lived Experience Networks and Group. This advice will be used to ensure the guidance is appropriate, robust and informed by voices of people with lived experience. The expected outcome is engagement with both the Lived Experience Networks and Group will be safe, respectful, considered, and appropriate.
There is nothing worse than sharing your experience, and the harm that has been done to you, and not being heard or understood.
Next steps
The Group will next meet in December 2026.