In 2024, a year where the Prime Minister declared domestic and family violence a national crisis, the Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) giving community stepped up to support a range of organisations working to end gender-based violence, including national campaigning organisation Fair Agenda. Backed by the ACF Impact Fund, Fair Agenda is working towards a gender equitable future.
💡 Refresher: What is the Impact Fund? As our flagship collective giving initiative, the Impact Fund brings together hundreds of funders to support the boldest solutions to Australia’s biggest issues. Together, we’ve given more than $10 million since 2017 across the areas of inequality, environment, First Nations self-determination and democracy. Learn more
Over the last year, Fair Agenda celebrated the success of two key campaigns: reform to address sexual violence in universities, and the decriminalisation of patient access to abortion across all states and territories with the enacting of legislation in Western Australia.
Fair Agenda also launched new campaigns this year to improve justice system responses to sexual violence, coinciding with the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Inquiry.
“For too many victim-survivors of sexual violence, navigating the justice system exacerbates trauma,” says Renee Carr, Executive Director at Fair Agenda.
Together, we’re building momentum for a justice system that supports victim-survivors and prioritises their wellbeing
With ACF’s support and in partnership with the Australian Women’s Health Alliance, the Fair Agenda team consulted with service providers, lived-experience advocates, and experts to spotlight critical issues and advocate for trauma-informed, evidence-based solutions. Specifically, Fair Agenda is advocating for reform to (1) enable victim-survivors of sexual assault to pre-record their testimony; (2) remove barriers to accessing forensic medical examinations; and (3) improve access to sexual assault service support.
“Gender-based violence is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions,” says Laura Mannix, ACF Philanthropy Lead. “Ensuring the justice system supports victim-survivors with dignity and care is a crucial step in tackling this crisis.”
Ensuring the justice system supports victim-survivors with dignity and care is a crucial step in tackling this crisis
Renee says the support from the ACF giving community has been instrumental in enabling Fair Agenda to respond to the window of opportunity presented by the ALRC Inquiry.
“With your support, we’ve ensured the voices of victim-survivors and advocates are central to the discussion. Together, we’re building momentum for a justice system that supports victim-survivors and prioritises their wellbeing.”
To learn more about Australian Communities Foundation’s Impact Fund work, click here.