Today, the Royal Commission has uploaded more than 250 submissions from individuals and organisations wanting to share their interactions and experiences within South Australia’s domestic, family and sexual violence systems.

A total of 381 submissions were received, with 130 choosing to remain confidential, while 251 submissions were given permission to publish by their authors.

The submissions are incredibly powerful, and I want to thank everyone for their courage and strength in writing to us.

Written submissions with approval to publish were received from 115 individuals, including many people with lived experiences as well as those who work in the sector. A further 136 organisations also provided submissions, including state-based bodies, national organisations and others who provide services interstate. The submissions can be reviewed on our website here.

In addition to the submissions, we received more than 800 completed responses to our Share With Us. Share With Us invited responses to questions about the domestic, family and sexual violence systems in South Australia and provided respondents with an opportunity to leave me an audio or written message.

Key themes, data and experiences have been collated and are providing me with valuable insights, which I intend to include in my report.

I’ve also heard from many hundreds of people, through more than 170 listening sessions across the state, and in our 10 days of Public Hearings.

All of this information has helped provide clarity around the enormity of the challenge ahead, and where I need to focus.

While there are some good features of the system – especially among those committed workers in the sector - it is clear that there are some concerning and serious gaps. This means it can be traumatising for some people in some circumstances.

I want everyone to know that I have heard you, and what I have heard has shaped my thinking – whether that has been in meetings in the city, in prisons, in regional and remote communities, shelters and in crisis accommodation, in offices and on the streets, thank you.

I can also advise that I recently met with the Premier to update him on the progress made to date. During the discussion, we agreed to extend briefly the work of the Commission, to ensure all submissions are considered carefully and rigorously. As a result, our report, with findings and recommendations, will be delivered to the Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, in mid August.

I am now focussing on writing the report. It is important that our work reflects accurately and responsibly on what we have heard, so that we can make recommendations for once in a generation change.