Centring Lived Expertise: Full Stop Australia’s National Survivor Advocate Program
Tracks
Harbour View 1
| Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
| 8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Emily Dale, Emily Lachevre, Harrison James & Samantha Schulte, Full Stop Australia
Speaker
Ms Emily Dale
Head of Advocacy
Full Stop Australia
Centring Lived Expertise: Full Stop Australia’s National Survivor Advocate Program
Abstract
Full Stop Australia launched the National Survivor Advocate Program (NSAP) in late 2021, in recognition of the power of lived expertise to:
• Drive meaningful and survivor-centric reform; and
• Assist survivor advocates to recover from trauma by sharing their experiences in a safe and supported way.
The NSAP gives victim-survivors of sexual, domestic, and family violence opportunities to contribute to Full Stop Australia’s law reform and policy work – by sharing their experiences in the justice system, and ideas for legislative reform or improved service delivery. Survivors are also supported to engage with media, participate in research, and take part in roundtables or other speaking opportunities.
Engagement through the NSAP takes place in a safe and trauma-informed way. A trauma-informed framework for operating the NSAP was developed by Full Stop Australia’s clinical staff. Among other things, this includes on-hand counselling support during consultations, and debriefing support with trained counsellors after speaking or media engagements.
Since its establishment, the NSAP has grown to over 300 survivor-advocates, from geographically, experientially and culturally diverse backgrounds. Participants in the NSAP have had opportunities to:
• Contribute to Full Stop Australia’s law reform submissions;
• Speak on media programs such as A Current Affair and the 7:30 Report;
• Participate in consultations with governments about changes to laws and programs; and
• Participate in a roundtable at NSW Parliament House, directed at centring voices of survivors.
The Panel presentation showcase the experiences of the following panelists:
• Emily Dale (Head of Advocacy, Full Stop Australia),
• Emily Lachevre (Senior Client and Clinical Services Manager, Full Stop Australia),
• A Survivor-Advocate from Full Stop Australia's National Survivor Advocate Program (details TBC)
• Drive meaningful and survivor-centric reform; and
• Assist survivor advocates to recover from trauma by sharing their experiences in a safe and supported way.
The NSAP gives victim-survivors of sexual, domestic, and family violence opportunities to contribute to Full Stop Australia’s law reform and policy work – by sharing their experiences in the justice system, and ideas for legislative reform or improved service delivery. Survivors are also supported to engage with media, participate in research, and take part in roundtables or other speaking opportunities.
Engagement through the NSAP takes place in a safe and trauma-informed way. A trauma-informed framework for operating the NSAP was developed by Full Stop Australia’s clinical staff. Among other things, this includes on-hand counselling support during consultations, and debriefing support with trained counsellors after speaking or media engagements.
Since its establishment, the NSAP has grown to over 300 survivor-advocates, from geographically, experientially and culturally diverse backgrounds. Participants in the NSAP have had opportunities to:
• Contribute to Full Stop Australia’s law reform submissions;
• Speak on media programs such as A Current Affair and the 7:30 Report;
• Participate in consultations with governments about changes to laws and programs; and
• Participate in a roundtable at NSW Parliament House, directed at centring voices of survivors.
The Panel presentation showcase the experiences of the following panelists:
• Emily Dale (Head of Advocacy, Full Stop Australia),
• Emily Lachevre (Senior Client and Clinical Services Manager, Full Stop Australia),
• A Survivor-Advocate from Full Stop Australia's National Survivor Advocate Program (details TBC)
Biography
Emily is a law reform advocate, public policy expert and lawyer, who is committed to making the legal system fairer and more responsive to the needs of vulnerable people.
As Head of Advocacy for Full Stop Australia, she engages in advocacy aimed at improving legal and justice system responses to sexual, domestic and family violence. Previously, she worked as a lawyer at Minter Ellison and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, and in law reform for the Department of Communities and Justice.
She holds a Bachelor of International and Global Studies and a Juris Doctor in Law.
Mr Harrison James
Member Of Full Stop's Nsap Advisory Board
Full Stop Australia
Centring Lived Expertise: Full Stop Australia’s National Survivor Advocate Program
Biography
Harrison James is a survivor, award-winning activist, and Co-Founder of the 'Your Reference Ain't Relevant' campaign. After being sexually abused by his stepmother from the ages of 13 to 16, Harrison has become driven by his personal experiences and is dedicated to reforming Australia's legal system for survivors. For years he carried the weight of this secret in silence but now, at 23 years old, his tireless activism fuels legislative reform and spotlights survivor-led initiatives, showcasing resilience and determination in pursuit of justice and healing. His extraordinary journey has been a beacon of hope for countless individuals and his unwavering commitment inspires a safer world for all.
Ms Emily Lachevre
Senior Clinical And Client Services Manager
Full Stop Australia
Centering Lived Expertise: Full Stop Australia’s National Survivor Advocate Program
Biography
Emily Lachevre has over twenty years’ experience as a clinical social worker. Throughout her career there has been a strong emphasis on justice whilst working in the legal and social service sectors. Emily joined Full Stop Australia in 2016 as a Trauma Specialist Counsellor, before progressing into a Senior Clinical and Client Services Manager role.
She has extensive experience providing frontline clinical intervention to people who have experienced sexual, domestic and family violence. Emily is a qualified Clinical Supervisor and is committed to working towards ending gendered based violence.
Ms Samantha Schulte
Advisory Group Member
Full Stop Australia
Centring Lived Expertise: Full Stop Australia’s National Survivor Advocate Program
Biography
Samantha Schulte commenced advocacy as Survivor Advocate following a QLD Cornial Inquest into systemic responses to her reports of domestic, family and marital sexual violence. Living on Gurrumbilbarra Country (Townsville, North Queensland), Samantha believes the experiences of Victim Survivors are vital to responding to, expanding understanding of and the eradication of domestic, family and sexual violence. Samantha is a member of the Full Stop Australia Advisory Group, she holds a Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence Responses - yet believes her greatest and most important achievement is being a mother to her children.
