Lucy's Project

27/08/2026

Last week, Lucy’s Project launched the National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals at Australian Parliament House

You can find the National Roadmap here: https://lucysproject.com/nationalroadmap

We were honoured to co-host the launch with Senator Mehreen Faruqi and the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Violence against Women and Children, co-chaired by:

Senator Larissa Waters
Kara Cook MP
Senator David Pocock
Senator Maria Kovacic

A big thank you to all the wonderful speakers:

Aunty Serena Williams, Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri Elder
Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Micaela Cronin, Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner
Talie Star, Systems Change Advisor, Trauma Informed Trainer and Creative
Anna Ludvik, Founder of Lucy's Project
Monique Dam, CEO of Lucy’s Project

Thank you to all our partners across sectors, politicians and advisors who joined us at the launch!

The National Roadmap for Change is informed by:
· Stories and insights from survivors who have experienced family violence against them and their animals
· Recommendations from the National Roundtable convened by Lucy's Project in 2025
· Initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand, the USA and Canada, including findings from a Churchill Fellowship

Thank you to our partners from across the family, domestic and sexual violence, animal welfare, veterinary, legal and research sectors who have contributed to the development of this important national reform agenda.

Lucy's Project greatly appreciates the support of the Petstock Foundation, our Major Partner, which enables us to lead change to improve the safety and wellbeing of people and animals across Australia. We would also like to thank the Winston Churchill Trust - AU for providing funding for Lucy’s Project’s CEO to undertake a Churchill Fellowship.

The launch was covered by Australian Women's Weekly, Women's Agenda, Law Society Journal, Vet Practice Magazine and other media outlets via AAP.

https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/lucys-project/
https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/new-national-roadmap-launched-to-protect-people-and-their-pets-from-family-violence/
https://lsj.com.au/articles/roadmap-urges-law-reform-to-recognise-animals-as-victims-of-family-violence/
https://www.vetpracticemag.com.au/a-roadmap-to-protect-people-and-pets-from-family-violence/
https://aapnews.aap.com.au/aapreleases/cision20260819AE30250

24/07/2026

Only one week to go!! Speak up for women, children and animals.

Consultation on the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children ends on 31 July.

This is a critical opportunity to shape the government priorities for funding and systems reform until 2032.

Let's raise our voices to ensure that people and animals can access the supports they need to be safe and to heal and recover.

Can you take 10 minutes to complete this survey?
https://engage.dss.gov.au/second-action-plan/survey/

We’ve prepared a quick guide to make it easy. Link: https://tinyurl.com/2f579u92

Thank you for making your voice heard!

01/07/2026

We're thrilled to be featured in the The Law Society of NSW Journal!

A big thank you to the Law Society Journal and Henry Ea for shining a light on the important intersection of domestic violence, animal cruelty, and the law, and for featuring insights from our CEO, Monique Dam, and Board Director, Rishika Pai on this issue.

Join us for the Law Society's upcoming CPD webinar 'Legal Considerations for Human and Animal Victim-Survivors' presented by Rishika on behalf of Lucy's Project on 7 July. We look forward to seeing you there!

Read the LSJ article here: https://lsj.com.au/articles/beyond-property-domestic-violence-animal-cruelty-and-the-law/

Register for the webinar here: https://www.lawinform.com.au/

The intersection of domestic and family violence, and animal welfare concerns will be the focus of an upcoming CPD session hosted by the Law Society...

30/06/2026

Lucy's Project is excited to be able to bring the first of a short series of free education sessions to professionals in NSW working with people with animals experiencing domestic and family violence. With thanks to the NSW Government funding these sessions, we will be sharing knowledge and strategies for enhancing safety for people and animals. We will also be asking for feedback on your experiences and challenges to ensure we are constantly enhancing and advocating for the most appropriate services to support you. This session would suit Social Workers, frontline DFV services and management, veterinarians, lawyers and legal professionals, police, magistrates and others who meet people through the course of their work who need trauma informed support. Please send your expression of interest to attend to Anna at [email protected] and you will be given a survey to find the date and time that best suits for the majority of participants. The education will be delivered online. NSW Residents only.

16/06/2026

Lucy's Project is excited to be delivering education to NSW lawyers on the legal considerations for human and animal victim-survivors of family violence through The Law Society of NSW's LawInform platform.

This course will provide a practical, legally focused examination of domestic and family violence where animals are involved, including the implications across family law, criminal law and animal welfare law.

Participation in this course will provide 1 CPD unit for NSW lawyers.

Thank you to Rishika Pai, Board Director, Lucy's Project and Assistant Principal Solicitor, Women's Legal Service NSW for delivering this course!

Date and time: Tuesday 7 July 2026, 1pm to 2pm
Register here: https://www.lawinform.com.au/blocks/androgogic_catalogue/index.php?q=78511

10/06/2026

Thank you to the Australian Alliance for Animals and the Hon Emma Hurst MLC for inviting Lucy’s Project to attend your event at NSW Parliament House last week.

Parliamentarians spoke about animal welfare issues that they care about and the solutions that they will advocate for in consultation with their local communities.

We were moved by The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC's passionate speech about how every person and animal experiencing family violence and homelessness should be able to find a safe home together.

Thank you to the Hon Emma Hurst MLC, the Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC, Trish Doyle MP and the Hon Abigail Boyd MLC for your ongoing support of Lucy’s Project and for speaking out for human and animal victim-survivors of family violence.

We also greatly appreciated hearing from Jacqui Scruby MP, the Hon Cameron Murphy AM MLC, the Hon Stephen Lawrence MLC, The Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC, Adam Crouch MP, the Hon Dr Sarah Kaine MLC, and Robert Dwyer MP.

It was a joy to catch up with fellow advocates from Animals Australia, FOUR PAWS, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Cat Protection Society NSW, The Rabbit Sanctuary and Animal Welfare League NSW. Many other wonderful animal welfare organisations attended too!

We look forward to continuing to work together to create a safer world for people and animals.

04/06/2026

An open letter from our founder Anna to her daughter Lucy on her 13th birthday: https://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u=63534d1bdc0d2a29ebbbec0a3&id=87aba84b1e

02/06/2026

Today we want to thank the team at RedRover and their President and CEO Katie Campbell for the incredible work they all do to support animals and people experiencing violence across the USA.

RedRover's programs include:
• Safe Escape grants that cover the cost of emergency boarding for animals so that they are cared for while their family members access a family violence refuge.
• Safe Housing grants for family violence refuges and animal shelters to support people and animals to stay together or to provide foster care or emergency boarding for animals until the family members can be safely reunited.
• Readers and Kind News to foster empathy and compassion in children through sharing stories about animals and their relationships with people.

Katie wrote a lovely article about our CEO Monique Dam’s visit to RedRover as part of her Churchill Fellowship here: https://redrover.org/2026/05/29/a-global-movement-to-keep-survivors-and-pets-safe/

RedRover also partners with Greater Good Charities to deliver the Don’t Forget the Pets Project which provides education, coaching and resources for family violence and homelessness shelters and animal welfare organisations all over the USA.

We’re excited to share more about the work of Greater Good Charities next week!

Thank you to the Winston Churchill Trust - AU for the chance to learn from organisations changing the lives of people and animals around the world.

25/05/2026

Pasadena Humane was founded in 1903 and has been supporting people and animals for over 120 years!

Their Helping Paws program supports people to continue caring for their animals during times of need by providing free and low-cost food, supplies, vaccinations, microchipping, veterinary care and behaviour support. Keeping people and families together prevents animals from being surrendered, abandoned or rehomed.

Safety net programs like these are very helpful for people who are experiencing family violence whose access to finances may be controlled by the person using violence.

Pasadena Humane also provides crisis accommodation for animals. Since last year, it has cared for hundreds of animals impacted by the Los Angeles bushfires including a dog called Blade whose family home burnt down. The team cared for Blade for over a year until he was able to be reunited with his dad Dominic last month!

Research has shown that the family violence can increase during, and in the aftermath of, disasters such as bushfires so programs that enable people to find safety while their animals are cared for are essential.

Thank you to Laura Lampley, Chief Programs and Services Officer and Marcela Zaragoza, Community Resources Coordinator for meeting with our CEO Monique Dam and to Miguel Ruelas, Community Resources Manager for organising the visit.

Thank you to the Winston Churchill Trust - AU for the chance to learn from organisations changing the lives of people and animals around the world!

18/05/2026

Today we’re celebrating Pet Refuge NZ! Our CEO visited their world-leading facility and met with Dame Julie Chapman - DNZM ., the Founder and other wonderful members of the team. Pet Refuge NZ cares for animals who are experiencing or impacted by family violence across Aotearoa New Zealand until they can be safely reunited with their families.

Pet Refuge NZ will accept animals of all kinds! This includes small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits as well as larger animals like horses and sheep, in addition to dogs and cats. They have a dedicated space to keep small animals comfortable and partnerships with farms to ensure larger animals are well cared for. This ensures that women and children living in rural areas can access the supports they need to be safe without having to worry about their animals being neglected, harmed or killed.

The team works hard to ensure that every animal feels loved and a bespoke enrichment plan is created for each animal. There is a big focus on rehabilitation which is so important for animals who have been subjected to violence and who are experiencing trauma. Check out the pictures of the catio and enrichment boxes!

Sadly, many of the animals have injuries caused by a person using violence against them. Veterinary care is provided on-site to ensure the animals are healthy and well before being reunited with their families. Weekly photos or videos are provided to family members so that they know their animals are receiving the care they deserve.

Monique Dam's visit to Pet Refuge NZ was made possible through a Churchill Fellowship. Thank you to the Winston Churchill Trust - AU for the wonderful opportunity to learn about emerging practices for improving the safety and wellbeing of human and animal victim-survivors from our friends and colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand!