Last month, a number of our Amplifying Voices program participants, alongside YWCA team members Rachael and Zoe, met with the Hon. Robyn Cahill, Minister for Children and Families; Child Protection; Prevention of Domestic Violence to share their experiences.
The meeting discussed the need to integrate lived experience voices, especially from the Amplifying Voices Advocacy Group, into policy and program design in the DFSV and homelessness sectors. It was also an opportunity to put forward the group’s proposal regarding a co-designed DFSV Hub in Darwin, so that future victim-survivors could access multiple services under one roof.
The advocates are part of YWCA’s Amplifying Voices program, a lived experience leadership program in Darwin and Palmerston, that has been funded by the Northern Territory Government.
The aim of the program is to provide opportunities for women with lived experience of homelessness or family and domestic violence to create change, through involvement in advocacy and discussions for policy change.
YWCA Australia General Manager, Northern Territory spoke about the fantastic opportunity, saying “We are grateful to have the opportunity for our advocates group to meet with Minister Cahill and share their lived expertise.
“It is fantastic to see the Northern Territory Government facilitating this meeting and supporting meaningful pathways for lived experience advocates to share their voices”, said Rachael.
Bethan, one of the Amplifying Voices advocates said it was wonderful meeting Minister Cahill
“She’s extremely personable and easy to talk to. It was important for us to meet with the minister to show her that we are real, local women who are passionate in advocating for change against Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Homelessness in the Northern Territory,” said Bethan.
“As real people with real experiences in the Northern Territory our expertise is invaluable.”
April, another Amplifying Voices advocate said meeting with the Minister in her capacity as a lived experience advocate was a huge accomplishment.
“We have all worked incredibly hard for these moments and this was shown through the collective power, determination, and wisdom of the women who sat at that table”, she said.
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