Women's Policy

| Office for Women | Women's Policy | Safety and wellbeing

Safety and wellbeing

Women experience violence in public places, at work and at home. As part of its commitment to a safer community, the South Australian Government believes that we need a more strategic and comprehensive approach to violence against women, to make the best use of resources and to guide our future action.

Information Sharing Guidelines

Proposed legislation to criminalise coercive control in SA

The State Government is committed to criminalising coercive control to prevent and end this insidious form of violence.

Visit the See the Signs campaign website at seethesigns.sa.gov.au for further information on coercive control and available supports. An Easy Read paper outlining what coercive control is and what the State Government is doing is provided here. (PDF 1.0 MB).

We know that coercive and controlling behaviours are complex and look vastly different for different people. By consulting directly with people within these groups we will ensure that criminalising coercive control will be effective for all South Australians.

The Department of Human Services, through the Office for Women, consulted with various groups to ensure that criminalisation of coercive control legislation will be drafted with a strong understanding of community and sector needs as identified by the community. These consultations ran between November 2022 and February 2023 and provided an opportunity for community members and representatives to discuss issues around the legislation and implementation.

The consultation sessions were guided by discussion papers and the key learnings from the sessions were consolidated into summary papers, provided below.

Discussion papers:

Summary papers:

Alongside this consultation, we are committed to raising community awareness about this form of domestic abuse that is too often not recognised. Information is available at the See the Signs website.

Attorney-General's Department consultation

The Attorney-General's Department released a discussion paper exploring the measures needed to support the implementation of a criminal offence of coercive control, should it be introduced in South Australia.

The Discussion paper - Implementation considerations should coercive control be introduced in South Australia (PDF, 1.1 MB) was released for public consultation on 2 February 2022 to obtain feedback on the themes of awareness raising, education and training, services for victim-survivors and responses to perpetrators.

The consultation period closed 1 April 2022.

The Submissions report (PDF, 372.2 KB) provides an overview of the feedback received in response to the questions, as well as additional issues raised by respondents.

Information about the 2021 consultation on the criminalisation of coercive control is also available on the Attorney-General's Department website.

Committed to Safety

'Committed to Safety: A framework for addressing domestic, family and sexual violence in South Australia' was the South Australian policy framework in relation to preventing domestic, family and sexual violence until June 2022.

Committed to Safety, released in 2019, is available as a PDF download. Download the 2019 Committed to Safety framework (PDF 1.1 MB)

Two reports are available:

2020 Committed to Safety report (PDF 674.6 KB)

2021 Committed to Safety report (PDF 1.6 MB)

A new strategy is currently in development.

Community Education

'Break the Cycle'

Break the Cycle is a South Australian Government campaign, funded through the National Partnership on COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence Responses, which aims to challenge abusive behaviours, increase awareness of services available to men and women, and empower bystanders to intervene, and to help break the cycle of domestic abuse.

The Break the Cycle website contains information, referral points and resources to help South Australians receive the help and support they need.

'Our Watch'

Our Watch is a national initiative to drive nation-wide change in the culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin and create violence against women and children.

Our Watch's focus is on four key areas:

maintaining constructive public conversations;
delivering evidence-based prevention programs;
working with existing organisations, networks and communities to embed prevention practices; and
influencing public policy and institutions.

The Our Watch website provides information on what YOU can do as well as information and resources on preventing violence against women and children.

'The Line'

The Line is a national youth campaign aimed at addressing the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence. In any relationship, there are things that are black and white and there are grey areas. The Line helps young people navigate those grey areas, so they can enjoy healthy and respectful relationships and recognise behaviour that 'crosses the line'.

The Line is an initiative under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 and is funded by the Australian Government.

'Let's Stop it at the Start'

Let's Stop it at the Start is the National Campaign to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. The Campaign was developed jointly by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments as a key action of the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010–2022.

The Respect website provides information on how to start the conversation about respectful behaviour toward women and girls and how to help to end the cycle of violence.

Coroner's research position

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — please be aware this website may contain names, images and voices of deceased persons.

In Australia (to date) there are domestic violence (DV) death review processes embedded within Coronial jurisdictions and subsequent legislation in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. In all jurisdictions, except New South Wales, open Coronial cases involving domestic violence deaths are in scope of the reviews. In Western Australia these reviews are conducted through the Office of the Ombudsman. Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are currently developing strategies to have formal DV death review processes in place.

The Office for Women and the SA Coroner's Court has established a partnership to research and investigate domestic-violence-related deaths. The position of Senior Research Officer (Domestic Violence) has been in place since January 2011.

This position is based within the South Australian Coroner's Office and works as part of the Coronial investigation team to:

Identify deaths with a domestic violence context, to assist in the investigation of the adequacy of system responses and/or inter-agency approaches which may assist in the prevention of deaths which occur within that context.
Review files, provide interim reports and have specific input into Coronial Inquests which relate to domestic violence.
Develop data collection systems which can provide advice to Coronial processes and identify demographic or service trends, gaps or improvements more broadly.
Conduct specific retrospective research projects relevant to building Domestic violence death review evidence base.

The scope of the review includes single fatality homicide, single fatality suicides and multiple fatality (e.g. homicide–suicide) incidents where there is a context of domestic or family violence. An investigation framework underpins the process of information gathering and decision making in the progression of coronial investigations.

Outcomes

The review of deaths with a domestic violence context is an ongoing process, however, it should be noted that not all reviews result in a Coronial Inquest. To date over 270 reviews have been conducted and there have been nine Coronial Inquests with a domestic violence context. To date, coronial findings and 43 recommendations relating to domestic violence systems improvement have been released for the following nine Inquests:

Research

The Coronial Domestic Violence Information System (CDVIS) has been operational since May 2015. The CDVIS incorporates over 120 different perpetrator and victim-specific variables and provides the capacity to record data and track trends. The unique nature of the data housed in the CDVIS will support evidence-based decision making in policies and programs to reduce violence against women and their children.

Preliminary prevalence data from the CDVIS is reported in the South Australian State Coroners’ 2015–16 Annual Report, as tabled in South Australian Parliament.

Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network Data Report 2018

The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network was established in 2011 as an initiative of state and territory death review processes, and is endorsed by all state and territory Coroners and the Western Australian Ombudsman. The Network’s goals include producing national data concerning domestic and family violence related homicides in accordance with the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2009–2021. With this work the Network seeks to contribute to the formation of evidence-based policy and decision making in relation to domestic and family violence, enhancing opportunities for prevention and intervention and contributing to the enhanced safety of women and their children across Australia.

The Network published its first report in 2018 (PDF 2.6 MB).

Relevant South Australian legislation

More information on the Coroner's Court

COVID-19 and domestic, family and sexual violence

Domestic, family and sexual violence services are listed on the Women's Information Service "I need help with..." webpages.

If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero).

If you are self-isolating or required to isolate, but are in immediate danger, you can leave your house. Contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Line for advice about continuing to isolate in a safe place. Phone 1800 800 098 (24 hours).

Visit SA Health for the latest government information on COVID-19.

We will update this page as new initiatives and responses are developed.

Responses to support domestic violence initiatives

In April 2020, a $2.4 million funding boost from the Federal Government enabled the South Australian Government to fast-track new domestic violence initiatives.

The initial measures include:

$900,0000 for the 24/7 hotline – Men’s Referral Line - for South Australian men to seek advice, support and help about their use of violence and to connect them with local DV services, OARS and Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY).
$1 million to DV services across SA for brokerage packages for victims to be used to pay for immediate support including transport, safety upgrades to property, financial counselling and support for children .
$250,000 to the Department of Human Services to lead a targeted, communications campaign with the aim of connecting more women with services and to introduce the Men's Referral Service to South Australia.
$250,000 to upskill the current and new workforce, for example training for existing helplines including Lifeline and Telecross Redi.

Additional funding has now been announced in September 2020 to complement the above. This includes:

$700,000 for victim and survivor support including packages that cover transport, personal needs, health services and food, more financial planning support and fast-tracking the opening of safety hubs in the Limestone Coast and Whyalla regions from December 2020 to 2021.
An additional $500,000 for perpetrator behavior change support services, allowing the 24/7 Men’s Referral Service, OARS ‘Don’t Become That Man” program and Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY) to extend their services beyond December 2020, and fast-tracking services specifically targeted to men.
$1.2 million for services that respond to the needs of vulnerable people, community recovery initiatives and contingency funds to enable flexible responses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
The funding allows support services to specifically respond to particularly vulnerable groups, including women living in remote areas, women living with disability, Aboriginal women and their children and LGBTIQA+ people.

The services already in place in South Australia such as the SA Police response to domestic violence incidents, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme and all domestic violence services are continuing business as usual alongside the COVID-19 response.

Border closures

Visit SA Health for the latest government information on COVID-19 border closures and travel.

Regardless of these directions, a person escaping domestic violence or providing support to a family member who is experiencing domestic violence, or where the entry is reasonably necessary for the purpose of dealing with circumstances arising out of domestic violence, a person can enter the state but must quarantine for 14 days upon entry.

The Government is committed to everyone's safety and security.

Break the Cycle campaign

The South Australian Government has launched the Break the Cycle campaign to support people experiencing domestic abuse to get the help they need earlier and help break the cycle of abuse.

Information about the different forms of domestic abuse and how to find help are on the Break the Cycle website.

Break the Cycle of domestic abuse.

Help is Here campaign

The Help is Here campaign provides information on support services available to anyone affected by domestic and family violence, to help them access the support they need, when they need it.

The campaign reminds people that 'a crisis is no excuse for violence'.

Visit the Help is Here website.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

South Australia's Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) provides an avenue for a person who may be at risk of domestic violence to get information about their partner or former partner, to help make decisions about their safety and the future of the relationship.

A request for information can be made by either:

the person who is feeling unsafe in their relationship or about their former partner, or
a person concerned about the welfare of someone they know.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is not an emergency response service.
If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero).
For non-urgent police assistance, phone 131 444.

Domestic Violence Roundtable Reports

One of the Government’s election commitments related to holding a Domestic Violence Roundtable during the first thirty days of the term. This was done, and Government has gone on to hold a series of regional Roundtables.

The Roundtables have allowed Government to hear directly from not only the specialist women’s sector, but broader community services as well.

That feedback has shaped the actions that make up the Government’s key violence against women policy framework, Committed to Safety: A Framework for Addressing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (Committed to Safety (PDF 1.1 MB)).

Following each Roundtable, a survey was sent to attendees, summarising the key themes and issues, to ensure that what was heard was accurate. Once the surveys were done, reports were produced for each location, outlining what had been discussed in further detail.

From November 2019 an annual Committed to Safety Roundtable will be held.

These are the reports which are currently available:

Adelaide - 13 April 2018 - Adelaide report (PDF 394.2 KB)
Berri - 29 June 2018 - Berri report (PDF 237.8 KB)
Mount Gambier - 14 September 2018 - Mount Gambier report (PDF 211.7 KB)
Whyalla - 5 October 2018 - Whyalla report (PDF 264.2 KB)
Port Lincoln - 12 October 2018 - Port Lincoln report (PDF 274.2 KB)
Murray Bridge - 1 March 2019 - Murray Bridge report (PDF 314.3 KB)
Inaugural Annual Committed to Safety Roundtable - Adelaide - 22 November 2019 - CTS Roundtable 2019 report (PDF 208.6 KB)

Domestic and Family Violence fact sheets for communities

The South Australian Government is committed to creating a safe and supportive community for all South Australians and to ending domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV).

To keep women and children safe and prevent and respond to DFSV, the Office for Women works closely across all levels of government, with not-for-profit groups such as Women's Safety Services SA, with regional community organisations and national bodies such as Our Watch.

Our work is guided at the State level by South Australia’s Committed to Safety: Framework for Addressing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (CTS) and at the national level by the Fourth Action Plan (4AP) of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

Engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and faith leaders are among the targeted actions outlined in the CTS Framework and the 4AP.

To help inform and advance our work in addressing issues related to DFSV of concern to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, we have partnered with Women’s Safety Services SA and Multicultural Communities Council of SA, to prepare four fact sheets, to help in better understanding, effectively identifying and responding to individuals and families who may be experiencing DFSV.

The below fact sheets also provide information about services, online resources and primary prevention measures that can be used to educate communities about the importance of safe and respectful relationships.

FACT SHEET 1 - Recognising domestic, family and sexual violence (PDF 127.0 KB)

FACT SHEET 2 - What can I do to help someone experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence? (PDF 130.1 KB)

FACT SHEET 3 - Promoting gender equality and respect 1 (PDF 122.8 KB)

FACT SHEET 4 - Promoting gender equality and respect 2 (PDF 133.4 KB)

As part of the Break the Cycle campaign the fact sheets have been translated into 25 community languages. The translated fact sheets are available on the Break the Cycle website at https://breakthecycle.sa.gov.au/translated#translatedfs.

Family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) fact sheets for the military community

The experience of family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) for families in the military community is unique and complex. Family members may be isolated from traditional support networks due to regular relocation and unsure where to get help.

Three fact sheets

In partnership with Veterans SA, the Office for Women has developed three fact sheets to help members of the current or ex-serving military community experiencing abuse, FDSV agencies and those who suspect it may be happening to someone they know

Each offers practical guidance, support and additional resources, such as how to start an important conversation about someone’s wellbeing.

More information

Defence Housing Australia

Military Justice System - Department of Defence

Military (ADF) spouse employment and career development report by Amanda McCue - Churchill Trust

National Plan to reduce violence against women and their children: Stakeholder Consultation Report - Australian Government

Law Reform

New South Australian domestic violence laws come into effect

As of January 2019 new laws targeting the perpetrators of domestic violence have come into effect, giving authorities stronger tools to tackle repeat and serious offenders. A new stand-alone criminal offence of strangulation will come into force as well as tougher penalties for repeated breaches of intervention orders.

Rape and sexual assault

In 2008 Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 and Evidence Act 1929 were amended to:

Provide a clearer definition of sexual offences, including rape; persistent sexual abuse of a child; and consent;
amend judicial warnings in relation to children's evidence; and
provide special arrangements for vulnerable witness's, protection of witness's, and provides the courts with the ability to audio record evidence, and include evidence taken in earlier proceedings.

Domestic violence - intervention orders

Legislation was passed in Parliament in 2009 to give police and courts greater powers to prevent and address domestic abuse. The Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 protects people from abuse by restricting what the perpetrator does as well as by requiring the perpetrator to work towards rehabilitation. For more information about Intervention Orders visit the Legal Services Commission of South Australia website.

Protections for renters

On 10 December 2015 changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 came into effect. These changes provide greater protections to victims of domestic violence who rent their homes. More information about the changes can be found on the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) website.

National Domestic Violence Order Scheme

In November 2017, the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme was launched. In South Australia, domestic violence orders are called 'Intervention Orders'. You can find out more about these here:

In the past, domestic violence orders only applied in the state or territory in which they were issued or registered. This has now changed.

As of 25 November 2017, the implementation of the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme means that all DV orders issued from this date are now automatically nationally recognised and enforceable. If you have a current DV order that was issued prior to 25 November 2017, you can apply to the court to have it nationally recognised.

For more information visit the website of the Attorney-General's Office, or see the below brochures.

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 - 2032

On 17 October 2022, the Australian, state and territory governments released the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (National Plan).

The National Plan is the overarching national policy framework that will guide actions towards ending violence against women and children over the next 10 years.

It highlights how all parts of society, including governments, businesses and workplaces, media, schools and educational institutions, the family, domestic and sexual violence sector, communities and all individuals, must work together to achieve the shared vision of ending gender-based violence in one generation.

Read the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

Violence against women and children is a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia. One in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in 5 has experienced sexual violence¹. On average, a woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days². Rates of violence are even higher for certain groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women³. All Australian governments are united in their commitment to addressing the unacceptable rates of violence in our communities.

The National Plan outlines what needs to happen to achieve the vision of ending violence in one generation. This includes building the workforce and strengthening data collection systems. It also includes increasing accountability for people who choose to use violence, and providing person-centred and holistic responses to support victim-survivors through their recovery and healing.

The National Plan sets out actions across four domains:

Prevention – working to change the underlying social drivers of violence by addressing the attitudes and systems that drive violence against women and children to stop it before it starts.
Early intervention – identifying and supporting individuals who are at high risk of experiencing or perpetrating violence and prevent it from reoccurring.
Response – providing services and supports to address existing violence and support victim-survivors experiencing violence, such as crisis support and police intervention, and a trauma-informed justice system that will hold people who use violence to account.
Recovery and healing – helping to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation, and supporting victim-survivors to be safe and healthy to be able to recover from trauma and the physical, mental, emotional, and economic impacts of violence.

The former National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022

Released in 2011, the former National Plan focused on stopping violence before it happens in the first place, supporting women who have experienced violence, stopping men from committing violence, and building the evidence base so that we learn more about 'what works' in reducing domestic and family violence and sexual assault.

Reports on the former National Plan are available on the Department of Social Services website.

Safety Hubs

Safety hubs

The safety hubs program builds on the success of the Women’s Safety Services SA metropolitan safety hub which co-locates agencies to provide a single-entry point for integrated services. The Government has supported the extension of safety hubs into regional areas driven by local needs.

Each location provides a safe local place where women can speak confidentially to trained workers or volunteers, who can provide information, support, and referrals to appropriate services.

Different models have been established in each region depending on the needs of the local community.

Identifying which models are needed for each region and their possible locations has been driven by feedback from six domestic violence roundtable forums held across South Australia in 2018 and 2019, as well as consultation with local service providers and communities.

The Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre was the first site established under the Government’s safety hub program and launched in the Murray and Mallee government region in August 2019. The Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre is a partnership between the Office for Women, the Murray Bridge Community Centre and local community organisations.

A second specialised service hub is being delivered by the Riverland Domestic Violence Service in Berri.

New hubs are now open across South Australia.

The Port Augusta KWY Safety Hub opened on 27 November 2020. The Hub has a focus on supporting Aboriginal women, and is designed to be a safe and welcoming space to access culturally appropriate services and support for anyone experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, or safety issues. It features a safe-drop in space, phone and computer access – and women and children will receive one-on-one support from Kornar Winmil Yunti staff.

The Haven at Gawler Community House opened on 8 December 2020 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Gawler Community House and local community organisations.

The Haven at Mount Barker Community Centre opened on 15 March 2021 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Mount Barker Community Centre and local community organisations.

The Haven at Mount Gambier opened on 3 May 2021 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Mount Gambier Library and local community organisations.

The Haven at Whyalla opened on 27 September 2021 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Centacare Catholic Country SA and local community organisations.

The Haven at Port Pirie opened on 29th November 2021 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Port Pirie Community Centre and local community organisations.

The Haven at Goolwa opened on 10th January 2022 and is a partnership between the Office for Women, Goolwa Library and local community organisations.

The Port Lincoln Women's Wellbeing and Safety Centre opened on 18 February 2022. The hub was established by Yarredi Services Inc and provides a safe space for women wanting to access information and support around domestic and family violence, education and wellbeing.