[On screen text: This video was filmed on the lands of the Wurundjeri people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and Aboriginal Elders of other communities viewing this video. Trigger warning - Descriptions of domestic violence. If you need support, call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. We asked members of the Victim Survivors' Advisory Council 2020-2022 to reflect on their most significant change they had experienced during their time on the Council. Members shared stories of their personal and professional growth, and the broader impact their lived experience has had on shaping and strengthening the family violence system. We invited graphic recordist Nelle May Pierce to capture these stories, visualising the words of each VSAC member.]
[Gentle music]
Member 1: In my time in VSAC I have learnt that these people who we call ‘victim survivors’ are some of the bravest and most courageous people I’ve ever met. They bring their experiences, their trauma and their expertise to Family Violence Reform in a way that ensures positive change. I have heard the voice of lived experience and it is loud and getting louder, and it is strong. It is wise and well developed; it is broad and deep. The voice of lived experience must be embedded at the heart of reform, shaping the system, the policies and programs that victim survivors know are needed for safety, for recovery, and for victims of Family Violence to live well.
Member 2: I came into VSAC with this real vigour about wanting to change the world and teach other people about family violence. One of the big things for me is that I thought change looked like a loud voice, and what I’ve realised to really be heard you have to listen.
Member 3: VSAC has enhanced my confidence at a professional level, I’ve learned how to talk to different stakeholders by being exposed to different parts of the family violence reforms. Being able to respectfully challenge people is a skill I’ve acquired.
Member 4: Being a part of VSAC made me realise I had done nothing wrong. My experience didn’t happen because I deserved it. The power of the women on the Council at FSV, has taken away the stigma for me. I walk with my head high and my shoulders back. I walk with so much confidence.
Member 5: To reconnect with my identity after being incarcerated was an enormous task. The prison system breaks people, and is particularly difficult for survivors of violence as it replicates the harms. I am able to use my qualified knowledge through my lived experience. I feel heard and supported by my colleagues. We are a diverse group, and don’t always agree but share with honesty and listen with respect. In safe spaces real teaching happens. I can be authentic, vulnerable, fierce and fragile all at the same time. The work is hard but equally rewarding.
Member 6: VSAC has helped me to realign with what I feel was my original purpose from childhood. It has connected me back to my passion as a kid, a passion to help people. Four years ago, I felt like I was under something so heavy and I didn't know how I was going to get out from underneath it. Now I stand on top of it, with this view. What was once oppressing me before, I now feel I stand on top of.
Member 7: I think the togetherness and partnership is so important, rather than people going off and doing everything separately. I’ve learned to speak up, to say it exactly how it is. I’ve seen this modelled by other VSAC members and have seen how strong women can be, but they can also be gentle.
Member 8: I have done some public speaking events and shared the story of my daughter’s tragic death. After I shared my story, people came up to me, asking me questions, acknowledging there is a problem and how my story has impacted them. My story has motivated people to make changes. I’m glad I can make a difference in this way.
Member 9: I feel more motivated and encouraged in my ability to become a social worker after being a part of VSAC. VSAC has definitely helped motivate me and ground me in a bigger picture perspective. I feel more confident in my ability as a disability advocate and I’ve had a lot of success stories and wins both in my individual advocacy and systemic advocacy work, which are so rewarding both personally and professionally
Member 10: The more events that I speak at, the more young people are reaching out to me. I think people are starting to have or want to have those conversations, it’s not only a cultural shift that I’m starting to see but I also have seen the impacts that I’m having on young people and it’s been so moving and meaningful for me.
Member 11: I’ve learnt a lot from the other council members about elder, youth and LGBTIQ issues. Now I have a greater understanding from other perspectives. When I speak now, I don’t just talk from an Aboriginal perspective but from other perspectives, I have learnt from the other members so much. Don’t think because I’m 56 that I’m not willing to learn!
Member 12: When I think about how many people in my age group don’t know what family violence is, I think my role has been to advocate for helping them understand how they could do something if they chose to. VSAC members recognise my experience and believe me. Being believed is probably the most important thing of all.
Member 13: I feel that family violence is not spoken about enough in my community. I didn’t use any Aboriginal services during my time going through the court systems. My goal now that I am on VSAC is to get my community to accept that it is an issue and to work towards eliminating it.
Member 14: I’ve found a lot of purpose through being on VSAC. Through sharing my lived experience, I've turned my traumatic past into an experience that helps shape law reform. My experience helps to protect others and better support victim survivors.
Member 15: VSAC has given me a platform for my advocacy work. It has allowed me to represent my communities outside VSAC with that little VSAC banner under my name. And has given me opportunities to spread the word, and that is priceless. VSAC has allowed me to plan for the future and look at the areas of change that are at the top of my list. It has given me the opportunity of working from inside the system and trying to make the changes from within. I have a voice now, within and outside of VSAC, and I will use that voice. I probably didn’t realise how much a voice I had until I came to VSAC.
[gentle music]
[Family Safety Victoria]
[Victorian Government Logo]
[On screen text: Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne]
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