Trust Journal

Unbelievable: dismantling the narrative of the ‘perfect victim’ within the criminal justice system

The 'perfect victim' in the criminal justice system is a virgin. She's never had a drink. She doesn't post on social media. She's never sent an intimate message and she's unmarked in the eyes of the law. She comes forward at the perfect time. There are always witnesses to corroborate her story. She shares just enough with the public to be empathised with, but not too much, or she's hysterical. Most importantly, she doesn't exist. She's an ideal that sets every survivor up for failure, for judgement and to bear...

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Lucia Osborne-Crowley on the importance of trauma-informed care

CW: Sexual assault Lucia Osborne-Crowley is the author of I Choose Elena and My Body Keeps Your Secrets, two memoirs that deal with the aftermath of sexual trauma. Here, Lucia writes about the importance of trauma-informed care in clinical settings, and why it should be standard practice for the safety, empowerment and healing of all patients.  

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Watch: VWT x Thrive By Five – What can childcare reform deliver for women and children?

To celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March 2022, the Victorian Women's Trust, in partnership with Thrive By Five ran a discussion event with panelists Angela Jackson, Nyadol Nyuon, Jacqueline Emery and Jay Weatherill, canvassing the issues of childcare reform and examining the current state of affairs. Where to get help in Australia: 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Lifeline 13 11 14 Watch the video, view the chat log and read the transcript below.  TRANSCRIPT 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:36.000 MARY: Welcome everyone and happy International Women's Day, the 8th of March 2022. I'm Mary Crooks and I'm the...

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Hermina Burns’ Feminist Poetry Reading List

Hermina Burns is a co-host of our 2020 poetry podcast Between the Leaves , and an accomplished poet in her own right. Hermina is the author of four poetry collections, Bite of a Bluebottle and Against Separation Creek (2019), and the just published Crossing a Line and Dodging the Relative. Hermina sees her roles of poet and feminist as intimately intertwined. Here, she shares a collection of poems that invite a reflection on feminism and the many issues women and gender diverse people face.  

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