Sexual Violence Working Group

Angela Lynch is an admitted lawyer and a sexual, domestic, and family violence prevention advocate and is currently employed as the Executive Officer for the Queensland Sexual Assault Network Secretariat, which is a peak body for specialist sexual violence services in Queensland.  Angela is also concurrently undertaking research activities with Associate Professors Michael Salter and Molly Dragiewicz (and others) pursuant to a research grant from the National Centre on Action on Child Sexual Abuse on ‘Improving legal, policy and practice responses to the intersection of domestic violence perpetration and child sexual abuse offending’. 

Angela is Chair of the National Women’s Safety Alliance’s (NWSA) Sexual Violence Working Group and a member of the Policy Advisory Committee, and a board member of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV). Previously, Angela was the CEO of the Women’s Legal Service QLD.  Throughout her time in the sector, she has been involved in advocacy for significant law reform at a State and Federal level, and in the development of policy and community education initiatives. 

Professor Jan Breckenridge is the Head of the School of Social Sciences UNSW, Sydney and is the Academic Lead and Convener of the Gendered Violence Research Network, UNSW, Sydney. Jan leads an evidence-informed knowledge exchange stream ‘Gendered Violence and Organisations’, which provides expert advice to government, private and third sector organisations on best practice policies, organisational responses to employees and the management of customers and clients affected by domestic and family violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Pip Davis is the Principal Solicitor at Women’s Legal Service NSW (WLS NSW).  She has worked in community legal centres for more than 23 years, the last 11 of those years at WLS NSW.  

WLS NSW is a state-wide specialist community legal centre that aims to achieve access to justice and a legal system which is safe, supportive, non-discriminatory and responsive to women, particularly those who have lived experience of sexual, domestic and family violence and abuse. Working from a feminist framework, WLS NSW promotes women’s human rights and addresses inequalities and injustices faced by women by way of strategic legal services, community development, community legal education and law and policy reform work.  WLS NSW provides specialist legal services relating to domestic and family violence, sexual assault, family law and sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment. 

As a proud Karajarri women who had the joy of growing up on Larrakia Lands in the Northern Territory, Lauren has always been passionate about finding ways to support and empower First Nations children and families. Lauren believes that every young person deserves a life filed with respectful relationships and equitable experiences. A large focus of her work has centered on helping move others away from viewing mob through a deficit lens and understanding the very real strengths community holds in preventing harm.

After completing her bachelor’s in psychology, Lauren had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with Body Safety Australia. This work opened her eyes to both the heartbreak of violence experienced by children, as well as the joy in helping them find their voice. Since 2017 Lauren has facilitated hundreds of workshops across early childhood, primary and secondary schools spaces with children, educators and families.

In her current role as Head of Education and Community Development with Body safety Australia, Lauren specialises in prevention of child sexual abuse, consent & respectful relationships, puberty & sexuality and LGBTQIA+ equity & inclusivity education. This work has been highlighted in the SBS documentary series ‘Asking for It’, a series exploring Australia’s current issues with sexual violence. Along with her bachelors, Lauren holds a Master’s of Sexology and has previously worked clinically as a Sexologist with the Australian Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine. Lauren is also a member of the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. Lauren has presented on her work and experience at multiple conferences, including the 2022 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, the 2023 National Child Protection Conference and the 2023 No to Violence Conference. She’s also the proud recipient of the 2023 Indigenous Achievement award in the 7News Young Achiever Awards (Victoria), has been named one of Out for Australia’s 2023 30 under 30 winners, and has received a 2023 Churchill Fellowship.

With over 5 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), they possess a proven record in designing and executing effective DEI strategies to foster inclusive workplace environments. Their expertise extends to developing comprehensive D&I training programs and formulating culturally sensitive policies and procedures, consistently driving organisational change, and advancing DEI efforts across all operational aspects. 

They previously held the position of Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Australian Academy of Science, where they led the organisation’s efforts to establish itself as a leading advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion within the STEM sector. This role allowed them to provide strategic guidance to the President and Executive Committee of the Academy, leading to the successful implementation of the organisation’s objectives. Before this, they served as Membership and Partnership Manager at Diversity Council Australia, contributing to the delivery of innovative D&I resources to member organisations, facilitating their journey towards improved inclusive practices. 

Dr Jennie Gray is the Chief Executive Officer for Women’s Legal Service WA.

Jennie previously worked at the Western Australian Council for Social Service, where she was Deputy CEO overseeing the organisation’s social policy, special projects, and business development work. She is passionate about women’s social inclusion and safety, economic justice, and cultural security, and brings a combination of work experiences and knowledge aimed at ensuring better outcomes for women. Jennie’s professional career in the community sector has spanned practice, management, and research roles, in a variety of contexts. This includes many years based in the Kimberley as Anglicare WA’s Regional Manager coordinating services delivered across the North West. It has also included working as a sessional educator and research assistant at Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. In addition to her broad experience, Jennie is highly qualified with a Doctor of Philosophy from Curtin University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Western Australia, and a Bachelor of Business from Curtin University

Rhiannon is a dedicated and extremely passionate activist and advocate. Drawing on her professional, academic and volunteering background within feminism, disability and policy she combines this with her lived in experiences as a victim survivor of gender based violence, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and her experiences as a young disabled woman. Rhiannon works as a Project officer at Women With Disabilities Australia. She is a proud volunteer with UN Women, a Young Women’s Council member with YWCA, Youth Activist with Plan International Australia and runs her own socio-political blog site called Perform Reform. 

Jess is a journalist, author and speaker who focuses primarily on social issues and gendered violence. She started her career almost 15 years ago as a producer for ABC Radio, went on to become a Middle East correspondent for The Global Mail, and then an investigative journalist for Background Briefing. Her reporting has won two Walkley awards, an Amnesty International award and three Our Watch awards. Her first book, SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO, on the phenomenon of domestic abuse and coercive control, was released in 2019 and was awarded the 2020 Stella Prize. In 2021, it was adapted into a series on SBS. Recent projects include a podcast series on coercive control and patriarchy called The Trap, and a Quarterly Essay on how #MeToo has changed Australia, titled ‘The Reckoning’. Since the book was released, Jess has spoken at almost 300 public events about coercive control, and regularly conduct training and education for groups as diverse as magistrates, high school students, workplaces and local councils. 

Karen is the founder of Violet Co Legal & Consulting.

Karen Iles is a lawyer, consultant, board director, sexual assault survivor and Dharug Aboriginal woman.

Karen Iles is the Founder and Principal Solicitor of Violet Co Legal & Consulting – a woman-led, Indigenous-led, social enterprise. Violet Co’s purpose is to create radical solutions and just outcomes for women and First Nations people.

In 2023 Karen was awarded Private Practitioner of the Year by Women Lawyers Association of NSW. In 2022 Karen was awarded the inaugural NSW Law Society Pro Bono Service Award (2022) in recognition of her outstanding service to the NSW Legal Profession and the Community. Karen’s advocacy work was recognised in the Australian Human Rights Commission 2022 Annual Oration delivered by Professor Larissa Behrendt.

Master of Arts – Social Ecology; Dip Community Services – Lifestyle & Leisure; Dip of Management; Cert IV in Assessment and Training.

Nita has over 3 decades of experience in the community services and health sector in various capacities. Originally an enrolled nurse in rural remote hospitals, Nita later pursued more holistic modalities stepping away from the medical model.  

Having managed community programs supporting aged care, disability, and mental health, and experienced in residential aged care, Nita also taught aged care and community services with TAFE Tasmania. 

Nita held a lead role for 5 years with the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline, through Advocacy Tasmania, and subsequently actively participated with the State Elder Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee in several working groups, as well as the National Elder Abuse helplines network.  Nita provided community education and advocacy to raise awareness about elder abuse and the rights of older persons.  Nita is a member of Elder Abuse Action Australia and an associate member with Australian Recreational Therapy Association. As a mother and grandmother, Nita is passionate about disrupting the cycle of violence against women and children, and the intergenerational impacts.

Nicci has been the CEO of Allambee, a specialist Sexual Violence and Domestic and Family Violence therapeutic service in the Peel region of WA since 2013.  She is a Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years of practice experience having worked in various specialist areas including sexual violence, domestic and family violence, child protection, and alcohol and other drugs.  

Nicci has been a member of the Board of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV), the national peak body for sexual violence services since 2016 and is the current NASASV Chair after spending several years in the Vice Chair role.  She has represented NASASV on various national projects and working groups including the National Plan Advisory Group and the development of the National Standards of Practice Manual for Services Against Sexual Violence 3^rd.

Nicci is also the Deputy Chair of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, the WA peak body for sexual violence, domestic and family violence and women’s health services and currently Chairs the Reference Group for the development of Western Australia’s inaugural Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Strategy.

Sharon Lockwood is the Survivor Advocate for the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide.  She has over 32 years of experience in social work practice specialising in preventing and responding to sexual violence.  She has worked in a variety of settings, most recently as Counsellor and Training Coordinator (Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment) with the University of South Australia, as well as the University of Adelaide, Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service and Victim Support Service.

Sharon understands the challenges, barriers and tensions experienced by sexual violence survivors when seeking to have their therapeutic and justice needs met.  She is committed to centring the voices of survivors when advocating for the broader structural and cultural changes needed to better prevent and respond to sexual violence. 

Lisa is a registered psychologist with over 20 years in the community sector supporting people who have been impacted by interpersonal violence.  Lisa has worked in a number of direct service delivery, supervisory, and leadership roles within the sector, and has also worked in private practice. Lisa has recently commenced in the role of Executive Director for Laurel Place Inc., which is a sexual assault service providing support for children, young people, and adults across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, South Burnett, and Moreton Bay regions. Lisa has returned to Laurel Place after working in the Team Leader role previously for a number of years, prior to leaving for a period of time to complete her PhD at University of Queensland on ‘compassion-focused group therapy for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse’. Lisa is committed to providing support and advocacy for victim/survivors at both an individual and broader strategic/systemic level.

Sarah Rosenberg is Director and Co-Founder of With You We Can, a national online resource demystifying the police and legal processes for victims of sexual violence while working to improve them. She pulls together advocates, experts and services to amplify the work of others and encourage streamlining and collaboration. Aside from using her living experience in this way, she is Impact & Evaluation Officer at 10×10 Philanthropy, and Head of Policy & Research at Run For It Australia. Sarah also volunteers as a support worker for people living with a disability, like her.

Camille Schloeffel is a passionate activist for the prevention of sexual violence and promotion of sexual wellbeing. She is the Founder, Director and Safeguarding Manager of The STOP Campaign, a grassroots intersectional feminist organisation addressing sexual violence in tertiary learning communities through empowerment, education, activism and awareness. Camille was awarded the 2020 Peter Mitchell Churchill Fellowship to explore ways activists and universities can work together to prevent sexual violence on campus, and traveled to the US, Canada and the UK in late 2022 to undertake this research. Camille has worked in Government across sexual violence, online harms and child abuse policy areas, and is now working in the community sector in sexual violence prevention for people with disability. As a survivor herself, she is passionate about ending sexual violence in all its forms and has dedicated her time to leading various prevention initiatives and supporting others to share their truths.