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SACOSS welcomes Royal Commission Report into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

SACOSS welcomes Royal Commission Report into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 

The South Australian Council of Social Service has welcomed the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence’s report With Courage: South Australia’s Vision Beyond Violence.

The Commission inquired into the following areas: prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing, and coordination. Its report, released today, contains 136 recommendations and reflects engagement with thousands of victim-survivors, service providers and many other stakeholders.

SACOSS supports the state government’s immediate adoption of seven of the 136 recommendations but notes that DFSV remains a national crisis with urgent action and resourcing required to ensure frontline services can respond to the needs of victim-survivors.

It is of vital importance that services are adequately funded and resourced and that the government works with the DFSV service sector to plan for the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations over the longer term.

The Commission’s report is comprehensive and incorporates a number of critical issues that the community sector has been advocating for many years, and which reflect key aspects of SACOSS’s August 2024 submission to the Royal Commission:

  • All children and young people deserve a right to safety, support and recovery. In response to the significant system gaps, lack of help-seeking pathways, and a child usually having to be engaged in youth justice or child protection to be eligible for support, the Commission’s recommendations include a review and funding of appropriate DFSV service delivery models for children and young people.
  • The report highlights how the current housing crisis and lack of available suitable housing forces victim-survivors to live in unsafe home environments where they are exposed to violence or forced to face homelessness. It recommends a state-wide audit of crisis, emergency and transitional accommodation; maximising the use of suitable accommodation; and developing a 10-year DFSV accommodation investment plan with a corresponding investment fund.
  • The report recognises that harmful industries and products, including alcohol, gambling, pornography and other products can lead to the use of violence. We especially welcome Recommendation 128, supporting the minimisation of alcohol harms as the paramount principle in the Liquor Licensing (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025; a two-hour safety-pause between alcohol being ordered and its delivery into the home; and a restriction on home delivery times to between 10am and 10pm.

Quotes attributable to Dr Catherine Earl, SACOSS CEO

Today’s report from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is the culmination of more than a year’s work and significant engagement across the state.

We are pleased to see that children and young people were listened to about their experiences and suggestions, as well as the LGBTIQ+ community and people living with disability. This is an important step in preventing violence and strengthening our responses.

Today’s Royal Commission report in many ways is just the beginning. We now have a blueprint for the most significant reform for the DFSV sector in decades – reform that will help many thousands of South Australians today and in the future.

We need our government to carefully consider the remaining recommendations and work with victim-survivors, service providers and other stakeholders to enable the whole-of-government and timely response required.

One of the most critical elements is the enabling of independent monitoring of the implementation and impact of the adoption of the recommendations, as well as action on the rapid expenditure review. We look forward to the government adopting and actioning these urgently.

We are also keen to work with government, the DFSV service sector led by Embolden, and others to  address workforce issues, which we all acknowledge will only grow in importance and scale. These DFSV workforce considerations form part of an important broader need for planning across the community service sector, including in early education, disability and aged care. The DFSV workforce is highly skilled but has been working under significant pressure for some time. These issues are fundamental.

 

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.