Our Commitment to Change

We’re committed to creating change and opportunity for our community - encompassing neurodivergent humans, chronically ill, and people with disabilities. Our Director Ashleigh Rae has successfully been part of amending Victorian state laws and policies since 2020, impacting millions of Victorians for generations to come.

As a disability services provider we make ourselves available to participate in community consultations, or to craft parliamentary submissions on subjects that impact our community.

Read Our Submissions

This inquiry was opened to understand the scope and impact of ADHD and consider if it should be recognized as a disability under NDIS.

The Victorian Government consulted with various community groups to hear and consider the concerns and ideas for re-establishing an alternative reporting pathway for victims of sexual violence.

Achievements in Activism

Our Director, Ashleigh Rae, has been a vocal advocate for the rights of victim-survivors of sexual violence with successful changes to policy and legislation in Victoria.

She continues to advocate and speak out on these issues., and is passionate about using her skills and expertise to make our communities stronger and safer, aiming for a zero-harm future.

#LetUsSpeak

In 2020 after my own legal proceedings concluded and I secured a conviction against a perpetrator of sexual assault, I joined the #LetUsSpeak campaign in Victoria. Headed by journalist and activist, Nina Funnell with co-founders End Rape on Campus Australia, Marque Lawyers, and Rape and Sexual Assault Research Australia. Together, we challenged the Victorian Government to overturn laws (the Judicial Proceedings and Reports Act 1958) that prohibited Survivors of sexual assault from being able to publicly share their stories under their real name - lest they face the penalty of prison time, and/or a fine.

Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)

In partnership with former Members of Parliament, Tania Maxwell & Stuart Grimley

In 2021 in partnership with Tania Maxwell MP and other Survivors, we were able to revolutionize the Victims of Crime Tribunal (VOCAT) with fast-tracked policy changes that included:

  • Digitization of applications and forms to prevent lengthy delays and bring this government department into the modern era

  • Sweeping changes to the way FAS applications are processed including changes to thresholds, and how applications are funded

This means, once in effect and the digitization process is complete, victims of crime will not have to wait years to receive urgent financial help which could be the difference between homelessness, and not.

In partnership with former Members of Parliament, Tania Maxwell & Stuart Grimley

The Victims Legal Service

In 2022 the Victorian Government committed to establishing the Victims Legal Service, and allocated a small amount of funding towards it in the State Budget. However, the Government has as yet, made no moves to establish this service which would provide a free legal service to victims of sexual assault to:

  • Attend case conferences and advocate for the Victim’s wishes

  • Support writing Victim Impact Statements and preparing VOCAT applications

  • Advocate for the Victims wishes during plea negotiations

In partnership with the Derryn Hinch Justice Party, I’ve been working alongside Stuart and Tania to see this service established, fully funded, and able to commence services. It’s a work in progress, but we hope to see this necessary service active as soon as possible.

Affirmative Consent Laws: Victoria

In 2021 I consulted with the Victorian Government on several issues relating to policy and laws impacting victims of sexual assault. One of those laws was the development of an affirmative consent model, which radically transforms our legal understanding of consent. This law comes into effect on July 1st, 2023. This law requires all parties to seek ongoing, voluntary, and enthusiastic consent throughout an encounter. Along with this law, stealthing was also entered into Victoria’s criminal code and is a punishable crime from 1 July 2023. This law means any person tampering with any contraceptive measures, including the removal of a condom without the other party’s knowledge, becomes unlawful.

Victorian Law Reform Commission

Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offenses

In 2020 I had the opportunity to consult with the Victorian Law Reform Commission along with many other community groups and organisations, advocates, victims and advocates with the express purpose of creating a thorough list of recommendations on how the Victorian Government could improve the justice system response to sexual offenses. The report was tabled in 2021, and features hundreds of recommendations including:

  • The re-introduction of online reporting of sexual offenses

  • Affirmative consent laws

  • Anti-stealthing laws

  • The establishment of the Victims Legal Service