South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence begins today with a focus on hearing from survivors and those who work in the domestic, family and sexual violence systems.

The Commission’s Terms of Reference require it to examine four key themes - prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing – and how efforts in these areas are co-ordinated across government, the sector and community.

The Commission wants to hear from anyone with advice, suggestions, or ideas about how the state can ensure a domestic, family and sexual violence system that will deliver the best outcomes for those who interact with it.

Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO will begin statewide consultations in July.

Community consultations will involve sector representatives, survivors, children and young people, experts, non-government and private sector organisations and members of the diverse communities which make up South Australia.

Aboriginal communities will be heard as will culturally and linguistically diverse communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with a disability, older South Australians and people living in regional and remote communities.

Activities underway and imminent include:

• Publication of the Commission’s first Issues Paper and the opportunity to accept written submissions via the Royal Commission website;
• Regional and metropolitan community and sector consultation and site visits starting in July;
• The launching of an online ‘Share with us’ portal for all South Australians in September;
• Formation of an Expert Advisory Panel;
• Public Hearings in November and December to explore key themes; and
• Research and data gathering from key government agencies.

The Commission’s Issues Paper, released today, outlines key themes and areas of interest for inquiry into the state’s domestic, family and sexual violence systems.

Public submissions to this Issues Paper can be received from Friday, 5 July via the Commission’s website.

The Commission will inquire into how government, non-government organisations and communities can better integrate and coordinate efforts across all elements of the domestic, family and sexual violence systems in South Australia.

The Royal Commission has been asked to finalise its report by 1 July 2025.

To read the Issues Paper, visit: www.royalcommissiondfsv.sa.gov.au.

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

Domestic, family and sexual violence can happen to anyone — regardless of country, religion, sexuality, gender, social background socio-economic status, age or culture.

It is a scourge – and we cannot tolerate it as a society.

We anticipate this Royal Commission will set out a framework for how our State can best intervene and prevent domestic, family and sexual violence, and how best to respond when it occurs.

We are very fortunate to have such an eminent South Australian in Natasha Stott Despoja AO to undertake this work.

I encourage everyone who has a contribution to make to do so.

Attributable to Katrine Hildyard

Our community has had enough of the horrific prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence. And the sector, who has been carrying a heavy load for such a long time as they walk alongside women experiencing the horror of violence, is tired.

Today our state embraces a significant opportunity– an opportunity to tackle gender inequality, put the wellbeing and safety of women front and centre, listen to survivors and send a message to our community that violence will not be tolerated.

I look forward to receiving the recommendations, and encourage everyone across government, community and business to share their views and experiences and think about the role they can play in helping to prevent and end this terrible scourge.

I am really grateful to Royal Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO – she is the right person to lead this crucial work. Our work as a Government continues as this historic Royal Commission progresses – we are continuing to invest in prevention, intervention, response and recovery and healing and continuing to advance our comprehensive legislative agenda.

We are resolute in our support for survivors – they will be heard.

Attributable to Royal Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO

Since the Royal Commission was announced, I have been conscious of the goodwill of the sector and the community.

This is forward-facing inquiry, focused on achieving outcomes that will help prevent, address and hopefully eliminate domestic, family and sexual violence in our State.

I want to ensure that people feel safe and confident to tell their stories and experiences. I am focused on an intersectional approach, and I want that to lead to generational change.

I intend to do this in partnership with agencies and organisations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men.

I will ensure that we have a trauma informed approach and that we hear from those often not heard, such as children and young people.

I want to investigate what is not working and how we can transform system, within and outside government, to create a safer community.