As part of the royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence, executive director for the Royal Commission Kim Eldridge visited Port Lincoln stakeholders for regional listening sessions.
The commission met with different agencies and organisations from November 11 to 13 for the listening phase of the royal commission, which has been running for four months.
Ms Eldridge said the Port Lincoln visit was about hearing from the sector and to those who had been impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.
“This visit is an important piece of the puzzle as we continue to hear from regional South Australians – we’ve already been to Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier and Kangaroo Island,” she said.
“We [spoke] to a range of service providers, including West Coast Youth and Community Support, Yarredi, the Family Violence Legal Service, Centacare, Women’s Wellbeing@34, SAPOL, SA Health, Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council and Aboriginal Rights Legal Movement, as well as holding a session for aged and disability sector, and with school principals – among others.”
Eyre and Western Superintendent Luke Richards said SAPOL believed strong collaboration with other agencies was essential in providing effective early intervention and prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to come together with the Domestic Violence (DV) Royal Commission and other key stakeholders from the Eyre Peninsula community, to discuss ongoing initiatives and insights and challenges across the Eyre Peninsula,” he said.
“Meaningful discussion occurred regarding systems of response surrounding prevention, recovery and healing efforts of all agencies including SAPOL and how our continued work together will identify where we can improve our integration and coordination.
“We are continuing to work toward bringing DV out from behind closed doors and into the public – this allows for police and our courts to deal with those responsible. Where community members suspect there is DV occurring in a home, we encourage them to contact police or a family violence service provider, so that perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions.”
Supt Richards said all members of the community had a right to be safe and they were encouraged to call for help if they needed it.
“Call 131 444 for police attendance, they don’t have to wait until they are hurt, they should call if the situation has escalated to a point where they are frightened for their safety or that of their children… or 000 if they are in a life-threatening situation,” he said.
“Please check the police website for more information about domestic violence, and how the police can assist.”
In the Port Lincoln Magistrate Court – Criminal Jurisdiction on Tuesday, November 19, nine people were due to present on issues relating to domestic violence.
Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja said while the listening phase for the Royal Commission was coming to a close, public hearings would begin at the end of this month.
“This will be when the Commission begins to dig deeper into some of the emerging themes, and hear from experts and professionals in the field,” she said.
“More information on the public hearings and how you can access the live stream will be available shortly.”
The ‘Share with us’ survey is live until Tuesday, December 10.
The survey is an anonymous and confidential opportunity to share insights and experiences of the sector with the commissioner.
It can be found at royalcommissiondfsv.sa.gov.au/have-your-say/share
