Have your say on a local government submission into domestic, family and sexual violence

Local government are an important part of the solution in the prevention of violence against women across the state and LGA is now seeking feedback from councils to help inform our position.

Family, domestic and sexual violence is a significant public health problem with a range of important social, economic, political, emotional and physical ramifications. However, it is also preventable.

Councils are encouraged to submit good practice examples or case studies being implemented in their communities to help inform a sector perspective.

Get involved

There are several ways you can get involved:

• Read the Background Paper
• Review the Issues Paper
• Take our short survey by Friday 6 September 2024
• Join our reference group
• Email a copy of your council’s submission to belinda.tassone@lga.sa.gov.au by 13 September 2024.

Join our reference group

To support LGA's sector submission, a small reference group (no more than 10) will be formed, comprising interested council staff or elected members to act as an advisory group over the course of the Royal Commission taking place.

We are seeking people who can contribute their time and expertise such as reviewing documents or attending an occasional meeting to provide a sector perspective.

If you would like to be a part of the reference group, please email belinda.tassone@lga.sa.gov.au with a small paragraph outlining your current role and responsibilities and why you are interested in participating in the reference group.

About the Royal Commission

On 1 July 2024, the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence commenced.

The Royal Commission has been asked to inquire into five areas, aligned with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032:

• Prevention – How South Australia can facilitate widespread change in the underlying social drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence.
• Early intervention – How South Australia can improve effective early intervention through identification and support of individuals who are at high risk of experiencing or perpetrating domestic, family and sexual violence.
• Response – How South Australia can ensure best practice responses to family, domestic and sexual violence through the provision of services and supports.
• Recovery and healing – How South Australia can embed an approach that supports recovery and healing through reducing the risk of re-traumatisation and supporting victim-survivors to be safe and healthy.
• Coordination – How government agencies, non-government organisations and communities in South Australia can better integrate and coordinate efforts across the spectrum of prevention, intervention, response and recovery.

Local government can lead change

As the level of government closest to the community, councils have an important role to play in promoting gender equality and preventing domestic, family and sexual violence.

Councils can lead societal change through considered service design, as an employer and procurer, through their organisational structures and operations, and most importantly through leadership in the community.

LGA’s submission will build on previous work undertaken by the LGA including submissions to the National Inquiry on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence and the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Find out more

For information about the LGA’s submission into the Royal Commission, questions about the survey or other related matters, please contact LGA Senior Policy Officer Belinda Tassone.