In 2020, Madeleine Heather started her innovative new podcast ‘Reclaim Me’. This is a podcast where survivors of abuse and trauma can tell their stories freely, reclaiming their voice, reclaiming the narrative, and reclaiming control. It was her vision, that all victim survivors have the freedom to tell their story; and through doing so, will provide valuable insight and education, destigmatising assault and breaking down the barriers experienced by survivors. ‘Reclaim Me’ has enabled both men and women in Australia and internationally to share their stories in a safe, supported and victim-survivor led way. For some people, it has been the been the first time they have had the courage to share their journey of survival, courage and recovery publicly.
Cathy Oddie, a victim-survivor of family violence and sexual assault will present together with Madeleine around the topics they are each passionate about in ensuring that survivor voices are centred in all conversations which involve issues which impact them. Cathy has been a survivor advocate since 2007 and is currently a Victim Representative on the Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Consultative Committee and also the Victoria Legal Aid ‘Specialist Family Violence Court Project” Steering Committee as a Family Violence Lived Experience Consultant.
This presentation will explore the importance of safe peer spaces for victim-survivors to connect and collaborate. Cathy and Madeleine will look to other peer-led movements which have evolved for people living with a disability or mental illness, experiencing AOD issues or identifying as LGBTIQ+ and see how the learnings from these movements could potentially be applied in the sexual assault and family violence victim-survivor community. This presentation will also discuss the importance of embedding victim-survivor voices in co-design and consultation processes to ensure the most appropriate organisational service delivery and policy/legislative outcomes.

In 2020, Madeleine Heather started her innovative new podcast ‘Reclaim Me’. This is a podcast where survivors of abuse and trauma can tell their stories freely, reclaiming their voice, reclaiming the narrative, and reclaiming control. It was her vision, that all victim survivors have the freedom to tell their story; and through doing so, will provide valuable insight and education, destigmatising assault and breaking down the barriers experienced by survivors. ‘Reclaim Me’ has enabled both men and women in Australia and internationally to share their stories in a safe, supported and victim-survivor led way. For some people, it has been the been the first time they have had the courage to share their journey of survival, courage and recovery publicly.
Cathy Oddie, a victim-survivor of family violence and sexual assault will present together with Madeleine around the topics they are each passionate about in ensuring that survivor voices are centred in all conversations which involve issues which impact them. Cathy has been a survivor advocate since 2007 and is currently a Victim Representative on the Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Consultative Committee and also the Victoria Legal Aid ‘Specialist Family Violence Court Project” Steering Committee as a Family Violence Lived Experience Consultant.
This presentation will explore the importance of safe peer spaces for victim-survivors to connect and collaborate. Cathy and Madeleine will look to other peer-led movements which have evolved for people living with a disability or mental illness, experiencing AOD issues or identifying as LGBTIQ+ and see how the learnings from these movements could potentially be applied in the sexual assault and family violence victim-survivor community. This presentation will also discuss the importance of embedding victim-survivor voices in co-design and consultation processes to ensure the most appropriate organisational service delivery and policy/legislative outcomes.
Biography
Madeleine is a survivor of child sexual abuse and stalking. And in the post #metoo era saw a gap with victim survivor stories and how they were being told. She started the Reclaim Me podcast which champions the voices of victim survivors with the aim to give the power back to those who have been victimised and showcase their stories. Madeleine has released over 90 episodes with as many survivors from around the world. Becoming one of the leaders in ethical crime storytelling.