Experts by Experience Framework

Purpose of the framework

The Family Violence Experts by Experience framework aims to enhance the ability of specialist family violence services to provide opportunities for survivor advocates to influence policy development, service planning and practice.

The framework includes guidelines, principles and resources to support survivor advocates and organisations to engage with each other and work collaboratively.

Development of Framework

The framework was co-produced by victim survivors who are members of the WEAVERs lived experience group and researchers from the University of Melbourne's Safer Families Centre. The project was guided by an advisory group comprising victim survivors and representatives from services who work with people experiencing family violence.

Our team

The project was undertaken by the University of Melbourne and supported by Safe and Equal (formerly Domestic Violence Victoria) as part of the Family Violence Sector Capacity Building Program.

Survivor advocates
WEAVERS lived experience group members, Amanda, Cina and Fiona

Safer Families Centre researchers
Professor Kelsey Hegarty
Dr Katie Lamb
Dr Rhian Parker
Kitty Novy (research support)

Advisory group
Victim survivors from a range of services supporting people experiencing family violence as well as a number of survivors

Production and Funding

The project was generously funded by Gandel Foundation, the William Buckland Foundation, Give Where You Live Foundation, State Trustees Australia Foundation, the Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust and the Johnstone Gumption Fund and the Jump Start Fund, sub-funds of Australian Communities Foundation.