Articles & Advocacy

Articles, analysis and advocacy

Long-form writing that examines violence, survivor safety, public attitudes, policy, systems and the questions we too often avoid.

Advocacy

Advocacy works to challenge harmful attitudes, influence policy and systems, raise awareness, and push for meaningful change so everyone can live free from violence and abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is any sexual activity involving a child that they cannot understand, consent to or are not legally able to consent to. It can include contact and non-contact abuse, grooming, exploitation and online abuse.

Children and Young People

Children and young people can be directly harmed by violence and abuse or affected by what happens around them. Their safety, wellbeing, voice and experiences must be recognised and taken seriously.

Puberty Blockers, Children and the Limits of Consent

Puberty blockers, child consent and gender-affirming care raise urgent safeguarding questions. Are children equipped to make life-altering medical decisions?

Coercive Control

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviours used to dominate, isolate, intimidate or control another person. It can affect their freedom, confidence, relationships, finances and everyday choices.

Consent

Consent is a free, informed and ongoing agreement to participate in sexual activity. It must be given without pressure, fear, manipulation or coercion and can be withdrawn at any time.

Consent, Sexual Violence and a Justice System That Fails

Consent matters, but so does what happens after sexual violence is reported. Why Australia’s justice system must become safer, fairer and more survivor-centred.

Domestic and Family Violence

Domestic and family violence is a pattern of abusive, threatening or controlling behaviour used within intimate, family or caring relationships. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, financial and psychological abuse.

LGBTQIA+ Communities

LGBTQIA+ people can experience violence and abuse in intimate, family and community relationships, sometimes involving identity-based threats, isolation or discrimination. Everyone deserves safety, respect and support.

Men and Boys

Men and boys can experience domestic, family and sexual violence, coercive control and other forms of abuse. Their experiences deserve to be recognised, believed and supported without shame or stigma.

Recovery

Recovery is the process of rebuilding safety, confidence and wellbeing after violence or abuse. It can look different for everyone and may involve healing, support, connection and reclaiming control over life.

She Was Waiting for an Uber. He Was Waiting for an Opportunity.

A woman waiting for an Uber was deceived by a man posing as her driver. Her experience raises important questions about sexual violence, victim-blaming, safety and perpetrator accountability.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is any sexual act, behaviour or contact that occurs without free and informed consent. It can include sexual assault, coercion, harassment, exploitation and abuse.

Systems

Systems can either protect people from violence and abuse or create further barriers to safety. Effective systems should respond with accountability, consistency, compassion and a clear understanding of how abuse operates.

Legal Abuse After Separation: How Courts Can Become a Weapon

Legal abuse after separation can extend coercive control through repeated litigation, financial harm and system misuse, trapping survivors in control for years.

Plans Are Not Safety. Implementation Saves Lives.

National Cabinet has new plans to tackle gender-based violence. The test now is whether governments implement them fast enough to keep women and children safe.