1 Annual Report 18 / 19 Their triumph, our motivation 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage Images may show Aboriginal people who have died, which may cause sadness and distress to their relatives. Care and discretion should be used when viewing the item. Annual Report | Women’s Safety Services SA Incorporated | 18 / 19 1 WSSSA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today. WSSSA acknowledges that sovereignty of this land was never ceded and is committed to honouring First Nations Peoples in our work. 125 years of women’s suffrage. Throughout 2019, South Australians have celebrated the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage. In December 1894, landmark legislation enabled all South Australian women including Aboriginal women within our State to vote in general elections and to stand as members of Parliament. They were the first women in Australia to gain the right to vote, and their achievements symbolised a significant leap forward for gender equality and the participation of women in public life. Whilst celebrating this historic achievement, WSSSA also acknowledges that First Nations people continued to be excluded and faced adversity in participating and shaping matters that directly impacted their lives and their communities. In 1896 First Nations people from Port McLeay, an Aboriginal settlement, had its own polling station, with more than 100 people on the rolls; 70% of them voted in the election that year. It is also important to acknowledge that it took until the 1967 Referendum to amend the Constitution to raise the expectations of First Nations people regarding their rights and welfare, and particularly to move away from assimilationist policies. The challenges faced continue and as a State and Nation we must recognise the existence of barriers that perpetuate the further marginalisation and silencing of First Nations people and work to eliminate these barriers. Left A group portrait of Aboriginal people at Point McLeay c1878. Point McLeay, an Aboriginal settlement near the mouth of the Murray River, had its own polling station in 1896, with more than 100 people on the rolls; 70% of them voted in the election that year. Cover pic Delegates at the Congress of International Women’s Alliance during the reading of Mussolini’s speech on May 14th 1923 in Rome. The Australian Delegation is about four rows back and includes Dr Eleanor Allen from SA, second from the right with a long necklace over a light coloured dress. Contents About Us 2 Board of Management 3 Organisational Chart 3 President’s Report 5 CEO’s Report 7 Director of Services’ Report 9 AGM 10 Treasurer’s Report 13 Thank you 15 Financials 16 Annual Report | Women’s Safety Services SA Incorporated | 18 / 19 3 Australian Federation of Women’s Societies for Equal Citizenship in Adelaide March 1924 Board of Organisational Chart Management Chief Communications Executive Executive and Assistant Marketing Officer Officer General Director of Manager Services Shared Services Executive Executive Executive Executive Manager Manager Manager Regional Manager Crisis & People & Quality DV Services & Strategic Integrated Culture Assurance Projects Statewide CALD Responses Service Thriving Eastern 1800 Learning & Families, Finance & Research, Adelaide RESPECT Board of Management Board of Management Members Engagement Multi-agency Domestic Trauma Workplace Women’s Safety Services SA (WSSSA) Facilitator Hub & Client Violence Counselling Operations supports women and children who are WSSSA is governed by a Board of Management, Maurine Pyke Participation Services comprising 12 members. The Board’s role is to: experiencing and/or escaping domestic and President / Public Officer Govern in the best interests of the Migrant • Vicki Jacobs Domestic Women’s Operations & family violence. We are committed to the organisation Violence Treasurer Support Property & Asset Crisis Line Represent its stakeholders and their needs, Program Management belief that all women and children have the • Sarah Wendt acting in accordance with the WSSSA right to live safely in their homes. We believe Deputy Chair Constitution, and relevant legislative that experiencing domestic violence is a requirements and policies Helen Radoslovich Ninko Multi Agency Monitor and report progress and outcomes Secretary Kurtangga fundamental breach of human rights and that • Patpangga Protection those perpetrating such violence should be against strategic objectives and stakeholder Jacky Dakin Service agreements held to account. Lea Stevens • Evaluate and develop its performance and the Louise Pascale Southern performance of the organisation Marta Lohyn Adelaide We believe domestic violence is everybody’s Sharon Walker-Roberts Domestic SARTI • Ensure its members and the organisation Violence business and that all layers of society should always act ethically and with integrity, always Sophie Diamandi Services placing the interests of the organisation and Alex Rathbone (resigned) continue to strive for its elimination. We are Sheena Jackson (resigned) its purpose before personal interests Western committed to assisting women to feel safe Adelaide Serial • Monitor and evaluate the CEO’s performance Maria Hagias Domestic Offender and supported, and to achieve their goals. against documented standards and Chief Executive Officer Violence Database objectives. Services Northern Women’s Adelaide Safety Domestic Contact Violence Program About Us Services Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Annual Report | Women’s Safety Services SA Incorporated | 18 / 19 5 This year has again seen some changes We are forever mindful that good governance and financial On a hot December morning in management are an essential requirement for the ongoing ability 1894, a week before Christmas, to the services we provide. It has also, of the Service to deliver its many services.The amalgamation and the South Australian House of however provided us with the opportunity growth of the Service requires constant evaluation of our processes, procedures, financial management strategies and governance model. Assembly voted on the third to consolidate the now completed mergers, I would particularly like to thank our Chief Executive Officer, Maria reading of the Constitution together with the 1800RESPECT trauma Hagias and our Director of Services, Ginny Cisneros. The demands Amendment Bill: ‘The Ayes counselling service, a substantial additional upon them, their time, energy, expertise and resources has been unrelenting over a number of years now. Without the efforts of Maria were sonorous and cheery, service commenced during 2018. and Ginny, our Service simply would not be in the position it now is, the Noes despondent like a leader in the field of domestic and family violence services. I again There were a number of key projects commenced by the Service express my deep gratitude to Maria and Ginny. As I noted last year, muffled bells’. When the result during the year. they are a truly resilient and formidable team with an extraordinary was announced, thirty-one in The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme commenced as a pilot commitment to the Service. project. The project evolved as a response by Government to the favour and fourteen against, We continue to be grateful to PKF Adelaide for their support of us enactment of what became known as “Clare’s Law” for partners who during the year particularly Antoinette but also Derek Clarke, who the House resounded to loud may be concerned they are at risk of domestic or family violence to provided valuable support to us in the development of a project cheering as South Australia’s access their partner’s criminal history. assessment tool. During the year, the Domestic Violence Crisis Line, an existing service Parliament acknowledged its The focus of our endeavours continues to be the provision of better was also expanded such that it is now a 24/7 service. The Service decision to give votes to women. targeted and timely services to the women and children who use the continues to be one of the most significant providers of domestic multiplicity of the services we now provide. We have endeavoured The legislation made South violence support services for women and children in the metropolitan throughout the growth phase of our Service, to provide and maintain area of Adelaide. Our services now extend far beyond the provision of Australia one of the first places a high service delivery standard. crisis accommodation which was the original charter of many domestic in the world to admit women violence services. The delivery and maintenance of our services to women and children falls heavily upon the staff who collectively enjoy a significant range to the parliamentary suffrage; We continue to enjoy the support of the State and Federal of skills and expertise for the many functions and services we now it was alone in giving them the Governments. We enjoy a very valuable and co-operative relationship provide. Our staff continue to demonstrate enormous commitment, with Government. We were particularly pleased to welcome Assistant right to stand for Parliament. Its support and professionalism in their roles. They continue to be Minister Carolyn Power MP to one of our Board meetings. It was very challenged by, but have shown an enormous