Supported by a comprehensive literature review in 2022 by the Curtin Gender Research Network (GRN), the State Government released the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Strategy: Addressing Sexual Violence Together 2025-2035 last month, representing the state’s first whole-of-community approach to preventing and responding to sexual violence.

The review was co-authored by Associate Professor Samantha Owen and Peta Dzidic, alongside expert contributors Professor Jaya Dantas (Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, International), Associate Professor Amy Dobson, Professor Kantha Dayaram, Associate Professor Hannah McGlade, Dr Marilyn Metta and Dr Siddier Chambers and research assistants Elizabeth Baca, Ashleigh Pantaleo and Chanel Tichbon.

The Strategy aligns with the GRN’s focus on the socio-cultural drivers of sexual violence, moving beyond the individual to further address underlying social norms, gender inequalities and power imbalances that the literature review identified as root causes. The Strategy also reflects the GRN’s findings regarding the specific, disproportionate impacts of settler-colonial violence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring that the response is culturally safe and grounded in the recognition of ongoing trauma.

Thanks to the work of the GRN team and collaborators, the Strategy has defined three core pillars: strengthening prevention, improving service responses for victim-survivors and ensuring perpetrator accountability.

Congratulations to the GRN and all involved for their contributions to this critical work.