Domestic violence destroys lives, but a new Royal Commission is bringing hope. Survivor Krystal shares her story of healing and advocacy, proving that speaking out is the first step to a safer future.
Three years ago, Krystal’s life was turned upside down. Her abusive then-husband gave her four days to move out of the family home. “I was a single mum with three children, and I was homeless,” she says. It was in this moment of crisis that she reached out to Cedar Health Service, marking the beginning of her journey to safety and healing.
Krystal’s story is just one of many that highlight the devastating impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) in South Australia. As the state launches its Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, survivors like Krystal are speaking out to share their stories and give hope to other victim survivors about the support on offer.
A survivor’s journey
“Until I went to Cedar, I had absolutely no idea how bad my situation was,” Krystal says. Through weekly counselling sessions with Tegan at Cedar Health Service, Krystal began to understand the full extent of the domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse she had endured. The support went beyond emotional healing – Cedar provided practical assistance too, from food and clothing to essential household items for when Krystal found a place to live.
Building confidence and a new life
“It was just that support, having somebody listen to me, believe me, understand me, which built my confidence,” Krystal says. This support was crucial in helping her rebuild her life and pursue her studies. Today, Krystal works as a qualified youth worker, case-managing students and using her experiences to help others.
“My job is very rewarding. I absolutely love it. It’s such a challenge. And at the same time, it’s so good to know that even though I’ve had my terrible situation, I’m able to help somebody else by relating to the students.”
How to reach out for support
Krystal’s journey from victim survivor to advocate is a testament to the power of support and speaking out. “I’m going to do what I can to help other people in this situation,” she says. “This has got to stop. Enough is enough.”
Her message to others in similar situations is clear: “The information is out there, you just need to make that call.” 1800RESPECT is the number Krystal dialled, putting her in touch with Cedar Place. “They go to all lengths to ensure that you can get those supports, get to the places you need to go for counselling, and that you are okay,” she says.
Cedar Health Service: A lifeline for survivors
Cedar Health Service is part of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network’s Health and Recovery Trauma Safety Services (HaRTSS), along with Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service and Metropolitan Youth Health. Cedar Place offers a range of free, specialised healthcare services for people aged 16 and over who have experienced domestic and family violence.
Katrina Dee, Director of HaRTSS, emphasises the importance of their holistic approach: “Our specialty is around health care response but we’ll also facilitate access to legal pathways and criminal justice pathways as required.”
Inclusive and accessible support
The service includes comprehensive medical care, health assessments, counselling, and culturally safe healthcare. Importantly, Cedar Health Service is inclusive and open to people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.
“There’s no cost for any of the services and that makes them very accessible,” Katrina says. “I think it’s really recognising that people should not have to pay for treatment after they’ve been a victim of crime.”
Cedar Health Service goes beyond its clinic walls. “We also do outreach with our health clinics to domestic and family violence facilities,” Katrina says. “That means if a person has had to leave their own home and is staying in temporary accommodation or shelter accommodation, we can go to them rather than making them come in to see us.”
Training for a supportive response
HaRTSS also provides extensive training and education to staff from diverse services who support consumers subjected to sexual, domestic and family violence. “We train around 4000 participants a year,” Katrina says. The training covers recognising and responding to disclosures of trauma and trauma-aware healthcare.
“It’s very, very difficult for people to disclose traumatic incidences – not just around sexual assault or domestic violence, but any form of traumatic incident,” Katrina says. “People won’t disclose it if they don’t feel it’s safe to do.”
Breaking the silence: The Royal Commission
As South Australia grapples with the pervasive issue of domestic, family and sexual violence, the state has launched a Royal Commission to examine prevention, early intervention, response and recovery efforts.
Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO, who is leading the inquiry, emphasises the importance of hearing from diverse voices: “I want to ensure that people feel safe and confident to tell their stories and experiences,” she says. “I am focused on an intersectional approach, and I want that to lead to generational change.”
As the Royal Commission progresses, both Krystal and Katrina are hopeful it’s the first step towards meaningful change.
Both women advocate for a holistic approach that includes both victims and perpetrators. “We need a
health promotion lens on this issue, not just the criminal justice lens on it,” Katrina says. “We need people to see that when you are being abusive, you’re harming yourself, not only the other person.”
“We need to expand services for adult perpetrators – we certainly don’t have enough, ,” she says.
Perpetrators as victims
Recently, Krystal has taken the brave step of reporting her ex-husband to the police for domestic violence and child abuse. Her 10-year-old daughter even had to give a statement about being hit by her father.
However, Krystal’s words mirror those of Katrina: “I’m a victim survivor, but the people that have perpetrated the harm on me, they are also victims,” she says. “My ex-husband, for example, had a very absent father and was an alcoholic with mental health issues.”
Early intervention and education
Social media’s influence on shaping attitudes, especially among young people, is a growing concern. “There’s some really nasty people out there that are encouraging young men to be misogynistic or abusive. We’re seeing increasing rates of those attitudes in young men and social media is a big player in that,” she says.
The rise of dating apps and social media has also created new challenges in combating domestic violence. Katrina points out that these platforms can become a “predator’s playground” without proper accountability. Recent incidents, including a homicide linked to online dating, underscore the urgent need for increased safety measures and accountability on these platforms.
Katrina highlights the “Respect” campaign, a national government initiative that encourages adults to be aware of young people’s social media contacts and influences, but says social media platforms also need to be accountable..
Katrina also stresses the importance of early intervention programs, particularly for young people showing concerning behaviours or attitudes. These programs address trauma backgrounds and aim to change beliefs and behaviours before they escalate into abusive patterns.
Strengthening intervention orders
Katrina also sees the need for stronger intervention orders. “Currently, these orders only protect one person at a time, allowing perpetrators to continue abusive behaviour with new partners,” she says. Katrina argues for more comprehensive orders that offer broader protection.
How to be heard
The Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is accepting written submissions online until Friday, 16 August. Whether you’re a survivor, work in the sector, or have insights to share, your voice matters. Krystal is participating in the Royal Commission to break the cycle of abuse and urges others to do the same. “Speaking out is the first step to healing,” she says.
To make a submission or learn more about the Royal Commission, click here.
If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence, 1800RESPECT offers free, 24/7 support online or at 1800 737 732.
