Skip to content
Mental Health, Women

From miniature ponies and trauma-informed dentistry to boxing, justice and art – forum explores the many roads to recovery for victims of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Services Victoria 2 mins read

Interviews available today

A new vision for sexual violence recovery in Victoria 

Sexual Violence: The Right to Recovery is a unique event bringing together world-leading academics, practitioners in the sexual assault services sector and other experts to explore what actually works in supporting survivors of sexual violence to recover and rebuild their lives. The sold-out event, convened by Victoria’s peak body for sexual assault services, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic), takes places today in Melbourne

"Victorian specialist sexual assault services know what works for survivors, but an outdated funding model is standing in the way" says SASVic CEO Kathleen Maltzahn. Ms Maltzahn points to other models that can form an important part of someone's recovery including: 

  • group therapy;  

  • trauma-informed dental services;  

  • equine therapy;  

  • art therapy; 

  • and even creative writing combined boxing lessons.  

"The current funding model is too narrow and limits choice for survivors - there are groundbreaking programs ready to be rolled out across the state." 

Highlights of Sexual Violence: The Right to Recovery include: 

Discussion of The REACH Project which interviewed victim survivors and practitioners about what aids people to recover. The research also focused on people with disability who are over-represented as victim survivors but are at times poorly catered for by current services. 

The potential of non-traditional therapies including equine therapy, art therapy, trauma-informed dental services and group boxing classes to complement one-to-one counselling. There will be a guest appearance by Ghost the miniature pony alongside Tama Green, Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner and practical demonstrations of boxing and art therapy. (Interviews with therapists and trauma-informed dentist Dr Sharonne Zaks available.)  

How policing and the justice system aids recovery – or causes more trauma. 

The role of group work, particularly for less catered groups such as people with disability.

Evaluating what actually works in terms of “recovery” (Interviews available.)  

Recovery for children who are victims of exploitation. (Interviews available.) 

"It's the role of government and the wider community to prevent sexual violence,” observes Ms Maltzahn. “When it does, the least we can do is support those impacted to recover."  

Funding: Victoria's specialist sexual assault sector provides support to 20,000 people, which pales in comparison to the number of people experiencing sexual assault each year. And yet, the sector faces a funding cliff in 2025 rather than the proper investment that it needs. 

SASVic is calling on the government to properly invest in the specialist sexual assault sector, with 19 asks that would create meaningful change: https://www.sasvic.org.au/sasvic-campaign 


Key Facts:

Sexual Violence: The Right To Recovery  

Wednesday February 19, 2025. 9am to 4.30pm. 

Pan Pacific Conference Centre, South Wharf. 

Event agenda: https://www.sasvic.org.au/righttorecovery 


About us:

About SASVic: https://www.sasvic.org.au/ 


Contact details:

Interviews before February 19 and on the day are available with Kathleen Maltzahn and many of the presenters.  

Media relations: via Brett de Hoedt, Hootville Communications 0414 713 802 / brett@hootville.com 

More from this category

  • Women
  • 17/03/2025
  • 09:01
Safe Steps

Calls for help go unanswered

With more than 40 per cent of our country’s young people under the age of 16 being exposed to family and domestic violence[1], Safe Steps will today launch Unanswered Calls – a short documentary that highlights the plight of this group of vulnerable Australians. In Unanswered Calls, two young people bravely share their lived experience of family and domestic violence. Their stories are accompanied by insights and commentary from leading industry experts and community safety champions, including: Women’s Safety Commissioner, Dr Hannah Tonkin National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds NSW Minister for prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, The Hon.…

  • Government Federal, Mental Health
  • 16/03/2025
  • 10:00
Lifeline

LIFELINE AUSTRALIA WELCOMES HER EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE MS SAM MOSTYN AC AS NEW PATRON

Lifeline Australia is honoured to announce the appointment of Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, as…

  • Contains:
  • Women
  • 14/03/2025
  • 10:39
Safe Steps

CALLS FOR HELP GO UNANSWERED NEW DOCUMENTARY REVEALS URGENT NEED FOR FAMILY AND DOMESTIC SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

With more than 40 per cent of our country’s young people under the age of 16 being exposed to family and domestic violence[1], Safe Steps will today launch Unanswered Calls – a short documentary that highlights the plight of this group of vulnerable Australians. In Unanswered Calls, two young people bravely share their lived experience of family and domestic violence. Their stories are accompanied by insights and commentary from leading industry experts and community safety champions, including: Women’s Safety Commissioner, Dr Hannah Tonkin National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds NSW Minister for prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, The Hon.…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.