Having grown up in a family that experienced significant domestic violence and alcoholism, South Australia’s Katrine Hildyard is now tackling these issues in parliament to create safer communities.
“I’ve got an amazing mum and amongst everything that was happening in our lives, she taught my brother and my two sisters and I that no matter what was happening for us to always look outwards into our community and to see what was happening for other people,” Hildyard tells journalist Dinushi Dias on the Women’s Agenda podcast.
“I want everybody, no matter their circumstances, no matter what they’re going through, to know that there are people there for them, that they do belong, that they are part of a community.”
As the South Australian Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Women and Child Protection, Hildyard is working to create this experience and lift the voices of people in Australia, particularly those that go unheard.
“Those early experiences absolutely put that fire in my belly to make change,” she says.
“I carry that with me, and I am now determined, with this time that I have, to absolutely drive change on what matters, on what is going to finally tackle this awful prevalence of violence against women.”
In August this year, South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence made 136 recommendations to tackle the crisis. Nine months before this, the Commission had started public hearings and went on to speak to those with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence, as well as those on the front lines.
Hildyard says that the week before the Commission commenced had been “tragic” and “precipitated” critical action in South Australia.
“Our state had the most horrific, tragic week. [It was] a week in which four women were killed, allegedly at the hands of a partner or former partner,” she says.
“That week broke everybody’s hearts. It was a week that absolutely demanded action and that is what precipitated the Royal Commission.”
Alongside the 654 page report that came from the Royal Commission, there was a 112 page Voices Report that detailed harrowing stories from brave survivors across the state.
“Those findings urge us to embrace this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” says Hildyard, noting that “what the Royal Commission has given us is this incredible map with 136 recommendations to take us forward as a government.”
“We accepted immediately seven of those recommendations and the reason we accepted those seven first of all was because those recommendations set out the foundations for our reform.”
Looking ahead to what’s next on the agenda, Hildyard says she’s continuing to speak to people in the community about violence and tackling the barriers holding women back from participating in every aspect of community life.
“We have such a strong and exciting future ahead in South Australia,” she says.
“We are growing jobs in construction, in advanced manufacturing, in defence and space and renewables. We have this incredible time and an agenda ahead of us. I want to make sure that women are participating fully in all of those opportunities.”
To hear the full conversation and Katrine Hildyard’s detailed breakdown of the seven recommendations the South Australian government accepted from the Royal Commission, check out the Women’s Agenda podcast here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, call 000.