Promising Practice Programs

Understanding and Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence

Agency Gold Coast Sexual Assault Support Service
Website N/A
Contact PO Box 1924
Southport QLD 4215
T: (07) 5591 1164/ (07) 5591 2397
F: (07) 5591 1173
E: gcsass@bigpond.com
Start/end date Inception 2000
Program type One day training workshop
Geographical area Queensland/ Gold Coast
Target group Refuge and Domestic Violence Workers
Description This one day training program is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of refuge and domestic violence workers in relation to Intimate Partner Sexual Assault (IPSA), principally to enable participants to identify and effectively and confidently respond to disclosures of sexual violence in the course of their professional practice.
The program explores the historical context of sexual violence and IPSA, reviewing current research and available statistics.
Recognising the myths that surround IPSA and the complexities of disclosure for professionals while understanding the needs of victims and survivors is central to the philosophy of this program.
Counselling and intervention strategies are examined and demonstrated. Participants also work through case studies in group sessions. Future directions for intervention and prevention are outlined, including funding recommendations and directions for further development and implementation of the program and the challenges raised by IPSA disclosure.
Specialist training is also recommended for family therapists, health workers and generalist welfare workers.
Promising practice examples
  • Training locates IPSA in the context of contemporary research and practice in the fields of sexual assault and domestic violence, emphasising the overlap of issues of sexual assault and domestic violence in relation to strategies, legislation and funding.
  • Addresses the need for collaboration between domestic violence workers, sexual assault workers and women's refuges.
  • Is sensitive to social and cultural diversity, preparing participants to recognise the differing needs of people from various social groups accommodating cultural background (indigenous and NESB), same sex relationships, physical and intellectual ability and generational and age differences.
  • Demonstrates a sensitivity towards the barriers faced by victim/survivors in disclosing and reporting sexual assault.
  • Has a clearly defined conceptual framework.
  • Includes processes of accountability and evaluation.
  • Demonstrates a capacity for replication (i.e. other services/organisations could adapt/re-model the program for their use).
Based on existing program No
Philosophical framework Recognising the myths that surround IPSA and the complexities of disclosure for professionals while understanding the needs of victims and survivors is central to the philosophy of this program.
The training was developed in response to the gap that currently exists in locating who should respond to intimate partner sexual assault within the service sector. If domestic violence services view spousal sexual violence as a rape issue, and sexual assault services view it as a domestic violence issue where does that leave the victim/survivor? The cross-sector training was developed to ensure service-providers across all agencies are better placed to work together to identify the problem and respond appropriately.
Research informing program Intimate Partner Sexual Abuse. Macleod, Di. "Beyond the Barriers" conference, Gold Coast September (1999).
Many girls forced to have sex: report. Gray, Darren. (The Young People and Domestic Violence Survey) The Age, 26 April (2000).
Women's Safety Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Canberra ABS(no 4128.0) (1996).
Publications Intimate Partner Sexual Abuse. Macleod, Di. "Beyond the Barriers" conference, Gold Coast September (1999).
Evaluation Process and content evaluation completed by participants

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