The Allan Labor Government is strengthening the voice of lived experience in family violence reform, with two new co-chairs appointed to the Victim Survivors' Advisory Council (VSAC).
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins today announced Katie Alexander and Annie King as the new co-chairs of VSAC, a council which ensures victim-survivors are at the heart of the Labor Government's work to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence.
Katie and Annie both joined VSAC two years ago and bring deep expertise as well as lived experience to their roles. They will be joined by eight new members, who form a 15-person council.
Katie Alexander is a writer, health professional and lived experience leader who works across local, state and national levels to end sexual and family violence. She advocates for people disproportionately impacted by violence due to gender, race, sexuality and age amongst other factors.
Annie King is a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner working with children and young people. She bring experience in education, mental health and homelessness, and was named Chisholm Institute's Higher Education Student of the Year after completing a Graduate Certificate in Family Violence.
We thank outgoing co-chairs Rivka Martin and Conor Pall for their work - they leave a strong legacy of advocacy, particularly in justice system reform and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Established in 2016, VSAC provides advice to the Labor Government on how to improve family violence reform and service delivery, ensuring the voices of victim-survivors are included and acted on.
More information about VSAC is available at vic.gov.au/victim-survivors-advisory-council.
As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins
"We're grateful to outgoing chairs Rivka and Conor for their leadership - their work has helped shape reforms that meet the needs of victim-survivors across Victoria."
"We look forward to working with the new co-chairs and council members as we continue to embed lived experience at the centre of our work to end family violence."
