Acknowledgements

Dedication to victim-survivors

Dear victim-survivors,

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We publish the Safe Response Toolkit as a reminder that you are believed and supported. There are different avenues available to you and we hope that this resource will help you feel more comfortable reporting sexual violence or sharing your story and experience, if that is what you want to do. We acknowledge that the content of the Safe Response Toolkit may be triggering. We encourage you to practise self-care, talk to someone you trust, seek support if you wish and take regular breaks when reading this resource.

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The purpose of the Safe Response Toolkit is to provide a one-stop resource for victim-survivors and their supporters following an experience of sexual violence. This resource was made possible by the insights and support of the services listed throughout the chapters of the Safe Response Toolkit.

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We recognise that every person is different and that some readers may not feel comfortable pursuing some of the avenues listed in the Safe Response Toolkit. That is okay. No matter what, we will never stop advocating for change. We will always stand with you, listen to you and support you.

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Everyone has the right to feel safe and have their boundaries respected. Sexual violence is never your fault. We are proud of the steps you are taking on your journey towards healing and acknowledge how difficult it can be to take these steps. There will always be someone you can reach out to and support is always available.

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We dedicate this resource to all victim-survivors of sexual violence, including those who are no longer with us. Please know that you are never alone.

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In Solidarity,

The STOP Campaign

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A Message to Readers

We acknowledge that everyone will navigate this resource differently. Some of you may feel more informed about your options and prepared to pursue some of the different avenues listed throughout this resource. Conversely, some of you may not feel ready to pursue any of the options we have outlined and that is okay. You are on your own journey and we acknowledge how difficult it can be to take the first step. Ultimately, you get to choose what you want to do.

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The content discussed in this resource can be triggering and re-traumatising. Please reach out for support, whether it is to one of the services listed in the Safe Response Toolkit or with someone you trust. We encourage you to practise regular self-care by doing something that you enjoy and by taking regular breaks. Most importantly, look after yourself and prioritise your wellbeing, however that may look for you.

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We'd like to finish by saying that we will continue to advocate for victim-survivors' rights and the prevention of sexual violence. We hope that this resource will be a call to action for organisations to maintain and improve their current services and resources, as well as ensure that victim-survivors feel safe to reach out for support. Lastly, we want you to know that you are never alone.

 

You are loved, believed, supported and we stand in solidarity with you.

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Acknowledgements

The Safe Response Toolkit (SRT) was first developed by a team of passionate volunteers, led by members of The STOP Campaign. Thank you to all volunteers who contributed to the research, writing, design and distribution of the SRT, especially those community members who came on board to help The STOP Campaign with this project. Your support is incredibly meaningful to The STOP Campaign and the victim-survivors and their supporters who will use this resource on their healing journey.

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The STOP Campaign and SRT volunteer team would like to especially thank three members who went above and beyond to make the resource to the standard it is. Firstly, thank you to Sophie Aboud - one of the SRT Research Team Leaders, who led the coordination of research efforts, curation of content and completed the majority of the writing. Secondly, a massive thank you to Bianca Nicotra - the Deputy Director of the SRT team, for helping drive the strategic vision and creative direction of the SRT in its presentation and purpose. Bianca dedicated her time to supporting the teams in producing a fit-for-purpose and comprehensive product that reflects the vision that The STOP Campaign set out to create. Lastly, a special thank you to Camille Schloeffel for being central to leading the team in all aspects - from the leadership oversight and administration of volunteers and tasks, putting the vision into action and for driving the implementation. Camille contributed significantly to all aspects of the SRT’s development and endeavoured to help all teams achieve their goals. Camille put in countless hours, adding up to more than a full-time workload in the months leading up to the launch. She conducted all external consultation to ensure the resource was evidence-informed, accurate and fit-for-purpose. She contacted activists, advocates, victim-survivors and fellow volunteers to spotlight them in this resource. Thank you for all your selfless efforts in producing this resource, as it would not exist without your dedication, commitment, effort and advocacy.

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The STOP Campaign would also like to thank all those who contributed information and feedback during the development of this resource. Your insights were invaluable and we hope this resource accurately reflects what options are available to victim-survivors of sexual violence and their supporters within the ACT.

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Special thanks to every activist and advocate we interviewed to highlight their important work in the sexual violence prevention and response space in Chapter 11. Most notably, The STOP Campaign would like to express its deepest gratitude to all the victim-survivors who provided their reflections on sharing their experiences publicly. These personal reflections are incredibly powerful and serve as a timely reminder of the strength and courage of those who choose to disclose.

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Consultation

The STOP Campaign contacted more than 80 organisations and individuals to be a part of the development and review of the first edition of the SRT to ensure it is a trauma-informed, inclusive and fit-for-purpose resource relevant to the needs of our community in the ACT. We gratefully received input and/or feedback from just over 60 organisations and individuals.

 

We want to especially thank the following individuals and organisations for their contributions. Some were involved in the early stages, others reviewed specific chapters relevant to their expertise and some provided feedback and input at various stages of the SRT's development. We are especially grateful to those who took the time to holistically review this resource from cover to cover.

 

• ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)

• ACT Restorative Justice Unit (RJU)

• ACT Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

• ANU Student Safety and Wellbeing Team

• Detective Sergeant Mick Woodburn, Criminal Investigations - Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT), ACT Policing

• Katrina Marson, (former) Senior Prosecutor, Sexual Offences Unit - ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

• Sarah Rosenberg, Executive Director, With You We Can

• Savannah Ruppert, Program Coordinator, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)

• Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Team, Office of the Coordinator General for Family Safety

• Victim Support ACT

• Youth Law Australia (YLA)

• YWCA Canberra