Bringing down barriers for victim-survivors

AS someone with lived experience and professional expertise in domestic, family and sexual violence, Cathy Oddie understands too well the challenges victim-survivors face.

The work this advocate for survivors has done to address these challenges has resulted in her being named among this year’s Great Women of Ballarat honourees.

“I’m still in a pleasant state of shock to be honest,” she said.

“I never expected to be nominated for such an honour. I feel both extremely humbled and deeply grateful.”

Speaking publicly about her experiences, Ms Oddie has driven awareness of coercive control and the long-term impacts of trauma.

In partnership with the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault, she’s facilitated creative writing and art workshops enabling survivors to process experiences and rebuild confidence.

Now she contributes to sexual violence prevention research at La Trobe University, educates with Western Sydney Recovery College, and advises on national and state reform projects, including the Federal Government’s FDV leave initiative and Victoria Legal Aid’s Family Violence Justice Reform Steering Committee.

A long-time local whose family has lived in Ballarat and the surrounding region since the 1850s, Ms Oddie is also a member of the Victim of Crime Commissioner’s Lived Experience Experts Network.

“I understand the challenges that victim-survivors face in accessing and navigating systems and services for support, protection and justice,” she said.

“Ultimately I dream of a world where no one has to endure any form of violence and abuse, however until that occurs I will continue to do everything in my power to help victim-survivors face less barriers to receiving assistance than what I have experienced.”

Ms Oddie’s current work includes contributing to policy and legislative reforms, co-facilitating mental health and wellbeing workshops, sexual violence prevention research project work, and holding offenders accountable for their behaviour upon their release from prison.

“One of the most exciting projects I have been consulting on since July 2025 is the development of the national Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Law Enforcement Training program in collaboration with the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department,” she said.

“Working in crisis response roles supporting victim-survivors at immediate risk of harm to get the support they need to safely leave situations where they are experiencing abuse has been simultaneously deeply moving and heartbreaking.

“I think most people would be shocked if they were to learn exactly how prevalent DFSV is in our community.

“What has been personally and professionally life-changing for me has been the opportunity to make submissions and give evidence to state and Commonwealth inquiries.”

In 2015, evidence Ms Oddie gave at the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence led to a complete review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act, the dismantling of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal and introduction of the new Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme in 2024.

Now she hopes to find a way to fund the ongoing delivery of the Creative Expression for Healing workshop series in collaboration with Ballarat CASA.

“Last year we co-facilitated our pilot program of these workshops to CASA clients and it was such a special, healing and uplifting experience,” she said.

Nationally, she is connecting with other key stakeholders working to establish an appropriate redress scheme and restorative justice pathways for victim-survivors of police-perpetrated DFSV.

“In general, I would love to see every person play an active role in making their communities safer, fairer and more respectful for all,” she said.

If you or someone you know is dealing with issues resulting from sexual or physical abuse, help is available from CASA on 1800 806 292 or casacv.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au, and 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.