Media & News

Earlier this week, our CEO Jill Maxwell had the honour of providing evidence to the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's response to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.  Jill says it has been an emotional and challenging week for many people, however the importance of the Commission of Inquiry is very clear.

Businesses around the state are doing their part to prevent sexual assault in Tasmania and show support for survivors, by participating in Wear Teal Tuesday today, an initiative of SASS during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Seishin Martial Arts is one business taking part, holding a special women and girls Judo class this evening with all class fees going directly to SASS. Media are invited to a photo opportunity at Seishin on Tuesday 26 April at 10.30am, with Judo players providing a preview of the evening class plus SASS CEO and Seishin Owner and MD.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) commences today, Friday 1 April 2022, with a month of activities to raise awareness and provide information to people right across the community. Now in its third year in Tasmania, SAAM is the major community activity on the Sexual Assault Support Service calendar each year.  This year, the take home message for SAAM is #OnlyYesMeansYes.  The purpose of SAAM is building awareness, opening up conversations and breaking down the stigma of people talking about sexual violence.  SAAM aims to educate everyone in the community – in workplaces, sporting clubs, social groups, at home and online – on how they can help put an end to sexual violence. 

We were thrilled with the announcement from Minister Jacquie Petrusma yesterday about the establishment of three Multidisciplinary Centres for victim-survivors of family and sexual violence.

We were delighted to welcome Minister for Family Violence Jacquie Petrusma, MP to SASS on Friday 11 February to launch the public consultation for the third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan. 

Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) CEO Jill Maxwell met with the service’s senior counselling staff this week to discuss concerning trends among Tasmanians who have been sexually assaulted by people they have met online. “The issue that we are concerned about at SASS is the number of clients, particularly women, who have met someone online and been sexually assaulted by that person, but are fearful of speaking out or seeking support.”