Day 1: Domestic, family and sexual violence and Housing
There is a clear link between housing instability and domestic and family violence.
This hearing explored how the SA housing and homelessness system interacts with and affects the SA domestic and family violence systems, and pathways through the homelessness system in the context of domestic and family violence.
Transcript - 20 November 2024 (PDF, 803.5 KB)
Note – clarification: During the evidence of the homelessness alliances panel on 20 November 2024, Ms Mishelle Di Pinto was asked about the Domestic Violence Crisis Line (see transcript page 30). Ms Di Pinto wishes to clarify that “anyone can contact the Crisis Line however the response is limited around services that are able to be provided to men and children”.
Morning session - from 9.30am
Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO will make an opening statement prior to the first witness.
Reflections on the homelessness and domestic and family violence systems since the 2015 Victorian Royal Commission into Domestic and Family Violence
Maria Hagias has worked in the Domestic Violence Sector of South Australia for over 25 years.
She has advocated and informed policy development on gender-based violence which has resulted in the implementations of responsive service models that promote women and children’s safety and make men who use violence accountable for their behaviour.
She has participated in a number of National and State committees that inform systemic changes and responses. Through her role as CEO of WSSSA, Maria has worked with the community to change attitudes and address ways of working together to eliminate violence against women.
She is the Deputy Chair of the Premier’s Council for Women and Co-Chair for Embolden SA’s peak and was South Australia’s Representative on the Prime Ministers Advisory Panel which provided advice to COAG on addressing violence against women. She is a member of the National Plan Advisory Group, the group informed and oversaw the development of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Discussion over the Homelessness Alliance model
Panel members representing the five South Australian homelessness alliances, including:
Mishelle Di Pinto, Yarredi
Mishelle (Mish) Di Pinto is CEO of Yarredi Services, based in Port Lincoln. Mish provides specialist DFV knowledge from a feminist perspective, and she aims to promote and help to support a safe and respectful environment for all women and their children.
Founded in 1979, Yarredi Services began operations as safe accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence. Currently the organisation offers service to women and children affected by, or at risk from, domestic and Indigenous family violence.
Sandra Fuchs, Country North Homelessness Alliance
Sandra Fuchs has been the Alliance Senior Manager at the Country North Homelessness Alliance since the restructure of the homelessness sector and the formation of alliances in June 2021. Prior to this role, Sandra served as a program manager, overseeing the performance and service delivery of the Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence service in Port Augusta and the Domestic & Aboriginal Family Violence and Homelessness Service in Coober Pedy. Based in Port Pirie, Sandra has a deep connection to and passion for improving outcomes for country people.
Alice Worrall, Country South Homelessness Alliance
Alice Worrall is the Alliance Senior Manager for the Country South Homelessness Alliance, leading the Alliance’s strategic efforts across the Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island, Murraylands, Riverland, and Limestone Coast regions. Alice has a background in Social Work and extensive experience in the housing and homelessness sectors.
She in collaboration with Alliance partners aspires to drive systemic change to improve the experience and outcomes for the people we work with.
Orla Matthews, Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance
Orla is the Alliance Senior Manager for Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance. Her background is in social work spending her career working in both the non for profit and government sectors. The first phase of her career was spent in Ireland working predominantly within the youth, child protection and family support fields.
Since arriving in Australia, she has spent the last decade in the homeless sector leading various teams including crisis intervention and transitional housing programs within the CBD region, Well-being programs within the region and prior to her current role she spent the last four years as part of the leadership team leading South Australia’s first ever social impact bond.
Shaya Nettle, Toward Home Alliance
Shaya has over two decades of experience in not-for-profit and volunteer roles in local, national and international contexts.
Shaya has been involved in major change initiatives and reforms, as well as poverty reducing initiatives in developing countries, and aspires for humane and inclusive service systems. She is currently the Senior Manager of the Toward Home Alliance, a dynamic collaboration of seven specialist homelessness services and government partners, and over 100 staff. Shaya blends her tertiary qualifications in humanities and business with her experience in systems development, to enable person focused and collaborative problem solving in the resource limited and complex context of homelessness.
Afternoon session - from 1.30pm
Providing accommodation for people who use violence
Louise is the Deputy CEO and Head of National Services & Development having worked across all divisions and services in a wide variety of roles prior, having commenced work with OARS Community Transitions in 2010. Louise’s previous roles with OARS CT included General Manager, Team Leader, Case Manager and Engagement, Development & Innovation Consultant, focusing on our strategic directions and service innovation.
Louise has qualifications in Justice & Society, and Post Graduate Qualifications in Criminology & Criminal Justice, Mediation, and an MBA. Prior to working at OARS CT, Louise worked in various positions with young people under guardianship of the Minister, in an emergency care setting.
In 2016, Louise was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research initiatives for reducing recidivism, through supported reintegration and rehabilitation. Louise is member of the Embolden SA Board, SA’s peak body for domestic, family, and sexual violence, and the President of the SA Churchill Fellows Association.
Culturally appropriate accommodation and DFV services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Olive Bennell is the Chief Executive Officer of Nunga Mi:Minar Northern Regional Aboriginal Domestic Violence and Family Violence Service, and was previously the Head of Homelessness Services in AnglicareSA. Olive has 15 years’ experience as a strategic leader and has developed key partnerships, policies and programs with non-profit, private and government stakeholders.
She has more than 30 years’ experience working in both Commonwealth and State Government in education, child wellbeing, employment and training, family violence prevention and youth affairs, Aboriginal Affairs policy and program delivery.
Olive has an extensive and diverse background in social housing policy, management and operations with state housing in South Australia. She was previously the Director of Homelessness Strategy in Housing SA.
Her passion is working to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.
Providing accommodation for young people
Nicole Chaplin is currently the Chief Executive Officer of St John’s Youth Services. She has decades of experience supporting young people in South Australia, and has been part of the SJYS leadership team for more than ten years. As well as leading SJYS, Nicole is Deputy Chair of the SACOSS Board and a member of the Policy Council, and the SACOSS representative on the Stop Racism Taskforce. Nicole is also a board member for Nunga Mi: Minar, and Chair of the Anglicare Australia Reconciliation Network.
She is committed to young people, and believes in young people’s capacity to create extraordinary futures.
