A detailed response to South Australia’s historic Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence has been released by the State Government.

The report highlighted how complex the nature of domestic, family and sexual violence is, with structural, cultural, social, psychological and economic factors all contributing and the need for everyone to be involved in addressing it.

Since the release of the Royal Commission report in August, the government has been carefully working on a response to the 136 recommendations - spanning prevention, intervention, response, and recovery and healing - that is strategic and methodical and can deliver lasting systemic change.

A total of $674 million has been allocated over 10 years to address the immediate safety needs of survivors and lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term reform.

The Government has already begun acting on seven recommendations, including the establishment of lived experience groups and networks, a standalone domestic, family and sexual violence ministerial portfolio, the establishment of a Government Steward and a five year statewide domestic, family and sexual violence strategy.

A critical factor in considering reform delivery is balancing immediate demands for community safety and justice with required reforms to large and complex systems and structures. To start this journey, the Government will invest in a number of major reforms on which the system will rely:

New pathways to find help:

• The establishment of a 24/7 central telephone and digital support line to access trauma informed care and connect with specialist support services. The existing Domestic Violence Crisis Line will receive increased funding while the new support line is being established.
• A new website for all domestic, family and sexual violence information including on the nature, drivers and impact of domestic, family and sexual violence as well as available support services.

SA Framework for Evaluating Risk (SAFER):

• A new evidence-based framework for identifying, evaluating and managing risk to individuals, particularly children and young people, and to better identify what help is needed.
• SAFER will be used by the child protection and family support system, South Australia Police (SAPOL) and specialist domestic, family and sexual violence support services to identify and manage risk and provide referral as required.

Integrated Response Teams:

• The State Government will establish multidisciplinary response teams in seven regions across the state.
• They will consolidate disparate response teams including Child and Family Safety Networks and the Multi-Agency Protection Service.

The Government’s priority in the first year is to provide greater certainty and stability for service providers and increase funding for flexible safety packages.

South Australia Police will elevate domestic, family and sexual violence within the organisation, with a new service, with more than 100 full time employees by 2031-32 led by a dedicated Assistant Commissioner.

The State Government will develop a common framework to identify and respond to harmful sexual behaviours in children and young people.

To read the response in full click here.

For more information about the Royal Commission, visit the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence website.

For more information about the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence in South Australia, visit the Department of Human Services website.

For domestic, family and sexual violence support services visit SA.GOV.AU safety and health.