16 Days of Activism: Unite for lasting change against gender-based violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign reminds us that change is not only necessary, but possible. This year, The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team continued to drive systemic reform in the family and domestic violence sector. We’re proud to showcase some of our key initiatives informed by the voices of lived experience and our frontline services.

BY JAIMIE JONES

Letters to ministers

In the lead-up to the 16 Days of Activism, The Salvation Army engaged with each Commonwealth, State and Territory Minister responsible for the prevention of family and domestic violence, highlighting the key areas of need in their jurisdiction. We pressed the need for immediate and meaningful investment in:

1. Increasing the stock of crisis accommodation and housing pathways. We know that safe and stable accommodation is essential to support the safety and recovery of victim-survivors.

2. Specialised services for children and young people, who are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, or whose behaviour can be violent. Children and young people need to be engaged and supported as individuals, with responses that are culturally safe, promote their participation and are tailored according to age and development.

3. A suite of programs for persons using, or at risk of using, violence. Programs should not be limited by time or jurisdiction and maintain engagement for as many years as is required to make long-lasting change.

4. Strengthening workforce capacity. Sustained investment is needed to ensure the family and domestic violence sector is well-resourced to support those impacted by violence and support the wellbeing of staff, particularly in regional and remote areas.

The Social Justice Stocktake 2025

The Salvation Army’s Social Justice Stocktake 2025 surveyed almost 16,000 Australians to provide a snapshot of the social justice issues causing concern across the nation. You can read the full report here.

Concerningly, almost one in eight respondents identified that family violence was an issue in their own lives. The Stocktake provides tangible actions to address family violence, read more here. 

South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 

Our family violence services had the privilege of meeting with Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO for a second time at our Bramwell House service (now Sanctuary House), to share our insights and recommendations. This followed The Salvation Army’s significant submission to the Royal Commission.

We were pleased to see a number of our recommendations reflected throughout the Royal Commission’s final report. The Salvation Army also provided a formal response to the Royal Commission report directly to the South Australian Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.  

To read submissions on family violence from the Policy and Advocacy team, click here.