Wide Bay Sexual Assault Service

20/10/2026

DREAM BIG, START SMALL ✨
What if the thing holding you back isn’t the dream being too big… but the habit of talking yourself out of it?

We often shrink our goals before we even start because “realistic” feels safer. But sometimes giving yourself permission to imagine more is exactly where change begins.

In Issue #24 of Empowered Magazine, we look at why dreaming big doesn’t have to mean having the whole plan worked out, how manifesting can help with focus, and why taking one small step can be enough to get moving.

You don’t need step ten.
You just need step one.

📖 Read the full article in Issue #24 Trauma Assist - Wide Bay

20/10/2026

☔️🌹 A brief break between downpours for a photo at Queensland Parliament this morning.

The weather didn’t deter us from amplifying the voices of families bereaved by domestic and family violence.

Thank you to the families - including Justice for Courtney - who shared their experiences with us and trusted us to bring their voices into these discussions. Thank you also to Alison Sandy for joining our CEO, Lucy Lord, and to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for the opportunity to highlight what families have faced and the changes they need and want to see.

Now we wait, but our advocacy continues. Families deserve to be heard, supported and involved in shaping change that could prevent others from experiencing the same devastating loss.

Watch the hearing here: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=275&id=8610

20/10/2026

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 💙
October is Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Queensland, a time to raise awareness, promote support and reinforce the message that sexual violence will not be tolerated in our communities. Queensland’s Prevent. Support. Believe. framework keeps the focus on prevention, support and healing, and accountability and justice.

The numbers show why this conversation matters. In 2025, 39,758 victims of sexual assault were recorded by police, while national survey data indicate around 2.8 million Australian adults have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, including 22% of women and 6.1% of men.

But awareness is about more than statistics.

Being listened to, heard and believed can be an important first step towards healing. A supportive response can affirm what someone has shared without judgement or interrogation, while allowing them to decide what happens next when they are ready. Draft pages #24 so far

Prevent. Support. Believe.
Listen. Respect boundaries. Challenge harmful attitudes. Know where support is available.

📖 Read more in Issue #24 of Empowered Magazine Trauma Assist - Wide Bay

19/10/2026

19/10/2026

This artwork was created by a victim-survivor as part of a Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM) art workshop.

This year, over 79 victim-survivors participated in 10 workshops across Queensland, from Logan to Cherbourg to the Tablelands, producing art reflecting the Sexual Violence Awareness Month theme: No More Silence, Prevent Sexual Violence.

The theme reminds us that preventing sexual violence is everyone’s responsibility. Our 21-specialist frontline counselling services work with victim-survivors every day who have been silenced by their abuser, their own families, institutions and communities.

When we break the silence, we make the violence visible, allow connections to be made and communities to be strengthened. No More Silence is not about expecting victim survivors to speak if they are not ready or it is not safe but believing them when they choose to share their experience. It is about creating the space for respectful conversations, respecting boundaries and creating safety. It is the responsibility of all us to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that allow sexual violence to occur in order to prevent it.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or find a specialist sexual violence support service through QSAN: https://qsan.org.au/services/

© Copyright retained by the artist.

This project is supported by the Queensland Government.

17/10/2026

Focus on Lived Experience of FASD✨ If you're caring for a young person with FASD who is approaching the age of 18 and legal adulthood, NOFASD has a range of resources to assist them and you in preparing for this stage of life.
👉 Download these resources from National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

16/10/2026

Nearly 1 in 5 children who participate in organised sport have experience cyberbullying from someone connected to their sport 🧒💬📲

Millions of young Australians take part in sport as it has so many benefits – friendships, confidence building, teamwork, fun and exercise.
But the sports experience doesn't always stop when the game ends. Young people may be part of team chat groups, use social media, share images or watch and take part in live streams.

Parents and carers can play an important role in helping young people stay safe online. Our sports hub has a dedicated section for parents with tips on:
💻 How to help with online issues in sport
📃 Sport rules and policies
📸 Taking and sharing images
⚽ Real scenarios.

There's also advice specifically for young people in sport, which parents can share with their children.
eSafety Commissioner

14/10/2026