- Western Australians who have experienced family and domestic violence invited to express interest in joining new advisory group
- Cook Government is committed to putting the experiences and voices of victim-survivors at the heart of policy and service design
- Expressions of interest close on 14 August
Western Australians who have experienced family and domestic violence can now express their interest in being part of an advisory group that will place the voices of victim-survivors at the heart of policy and service design.
Funding for the establishment of a Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) was announced as part of a $96.4 million package towards initiatives that prevent family and domestic violence in the Cook Government's 2024-25 State Budget.
It was a key ask from the Family and Domestic Violence Summit held in August last year and was supported by the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce.
Lived experience refers to those with a direct experience of family and domestic violence, or family members and/or carers who have supported a person who has experienced family and domestic violence.
The LEAG will provide advice to the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister to ensure the voices of those with lived experience inform the design and delivery of family and domestic violence policies, services and programs.
Expressions of interest are invited from all people from a range of backgrounds, in particular, people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, with disability, from regional and remote Western Australia, of mixed ages, and of varied socio-economic status.
The LEAG will seek to meet a target of half of all participants being Aboriginal people.
An operating model to guide the LEAG's work was informed by Kwobap Consultancy in consultation with more than 500 people via an online survey, face-to-face meetings and focus groups.
More information about the LEAG and expressions of interest process can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/lived-experience-advisory-group.
Applications close on 14 August 2024.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The establishment of a Lived Experience Advisory Group was supported by the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce, and will place victim-survivors of family and domestic violence at the centre of policy and service design.
"I'd like to thank Kwobap Consultancy for their extensive consultation, which has helped shape the Lived Experience Group.
"We know that one person's experience of domestic violence is not the same as another's, which is why we are especially keen for people from different walks of life to put their hands up to be a part of this group.
"During my time as Minister, I've met with many victim-survivors, and something I commonly hear is that they don't just want to tell their story - they want to help change the story.
"It is crucial that victim-survivors have a say on the services, programs, and policies that are designed to support them.
"People with lived experience of domestic violence are experts as users of services. They have invaluable expertise and insight.
"I encourage any person with lived experience of domestic violence to express their interest in joining the LEAG, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who we know are disproportionately impacted by family violence.
"I look forward to working alongside the Lived Experience Advisory Group and continuing the Cook Government's resolve to end family and domestic violence."
