Rachel spoke about the important supports provided to street-based sex workers by St Kilda Gatehouse. The non-profit organisation provides emergency aid, support referrals, a place to sleep and a sense of connection for some of the community’s most vulnerable. St Kilda Gatehouse also run programs for girls and young women impacted by sexual exploitation.
Rachel asked the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence if they will extend the Alexis family violence response model program to the City of Casey.
Rachel presented a member’s statement, reflecting on the 16 days of activism against family and intimate partner violence. She spoke about the tragic murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children by their respective partner and father, with police ignoring multiple reports of violence and abuse until it was too late. Rachel calls on the government to direct their ‘tough on crime’ approach to address the systemic failures that lead to these tragic but preventable consequences.
Rachel presented her contribution to a motion which proposed the legal use of capsicum spray for personal protection.
“I’m ‘getting explicit’ for my Grandmother Doll and my Mum Julie, who have been directly impacted by family violence and the ongoing impacts of trauma and abuse.”
