The Royal Commission has completed our last listening session for the year, and is now preparing for a busy start to 2025.

I am very grateful for the opportunities in the last couple of weeks to meet with important sector groups and representatives, and to hear from voices that do not often have opportunities to be heard.

I want to thank the Rainbow Alliance, the Multicultural Communities Council of SA and the SA Youth Forum, in particular, for hosting me last week.

We were also able to visit the Salvation Army’s Bramwell House facility, and speak with staff who provide the very important short-term crisis accommodation and specialist case management for victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence. I was privileged to speak to a young mother with lived experience who is staying in one of the units. Her story was an important reminder that everyone deserves to live in a safe space, and highlights the wonderful and dedicated people who work in this sector

Our Aboriginal Partnership Committee and Advisory Group also met this month, which gave me an opportunity to update them on our work to date, and also seek their input. They were valuable sessions, and I am pleased that we have two groups with such expertise in this sector providing the Commission with their insights and experiences.

After a short break, we will reconvene our listening sessions and regional visits in January, and then hold our next Public Hearings in February and March. I look forward to sharing more information early next year about the themes and topics to be explored.

I would like to wish you all a safe summer break. I acknowledge the Christmas season can be difficult for some, so I do encourage anyone feeling overwhelmed to needing support, to review the services listed on our website.

Natasha Stott Despoja AO

Royal Commissioner

Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence