Since 1978, Phoenix Support and Advocacy Service has been supporting survivors of child sexual abuse.
In the past Phoenix worked with children, but it now focuses on adults.
“There are other services working with children in Perth, but not so many that are working with the adult survivors, so that is the area we focus on,” says CEO Lousie Lamont.
Phoenix also provides psychoeducation for survivors and training for professionals in the sector, as well as advocacy work.
Lamont says child sexual abuse usually has a ripple effect on those close to survivors.
On average it takes about 23 years for someone to disclose child sexual abuse.
“When someone discloses, particularly when it's within a family, it can send shockwaves through the family if no one was aware,” she says.
“Then sometimes it can cause divisions in the family, depending on whether the person who disclosed is believed and where the loyalties are within the family.
“And if they're financially dependent on the offender, that can also present some challenges.”
Rewarding work
Supporting and advocating for Phoenix’s clients is rewarding, Lamont says, knowing the organisation is having a positive impact on clients’ lives.
“I think all of us at Phoenix feel that we are making a difference. We receive really fantastic testimonials about how our clients feel that it's the first time that they've really been seen and heard,” she says.
Lamont says the organisation’s advocacy work aims to empower clients.
“We feel a responsibility at every opportunity where we have a sphere of influence that we can advocate for them,” she says.
Funding is an ongoing challenge
L-R: Phoenix Support and Advocacy Service CEO Louise Lamont, Accountant Marc Spradbury and Project Manager Jay Bradley.
The specialisation of Phoenix’s services limits its ability to access certain sources of funding.
Additionally, Lamont says that over more than a decade, there has been a major discrepancy between income from government contracts and award increases for employee salaries.
“The other challenge is that contracts are generally for three years with the opportunity for two one-year funding extensions,” she says.
“But we went through a period of about four years of one-year funding extensions and often weren’t told whether we’re going to have further funding until the end of the financial year.”
This impacts the organisation’s ability to forward plan, strategise and retain skilled staff.
Employee relations support through CCIWA Membership
Being a small team of eight, Phoenix doesn’t always have capacity to manage complex human resources issues.
But CCIWA has helped to fill the void, particularly through its Employment Law services.
“We wanted to make sure that we had really sound contracts for our staff and [were] very clear about the terms and conditions,” Lamont says.
“That was really helpful; we were able to get the legal team within CCIWA to have a look at our contracts and review them and create a much more robust contract for us that we've been using ever since.”
Lamont says the Employee Relations Advice Centre has also provided support over the years.
“When we're not sure of something or there's been changes in the award, we get alerted about those, which is very helpful,” she says.
More corporate support needed
The 2023 Australian Child Maltreatment Study found “child maltreatment is widespread in Australia and associated with early and persistent harm”, with 28% of Australians having experienced child sexual abuse.
But Lamont says more corporate support and community awareness is needed to reduce the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Australia.
“I think it's a very uncomfortable topic and people don’t know how to address it or talk about it,” she says.
“[But] if we put our head in the sand, then those statistics mean that more children are going to continue to be abused.”
Phoenix Support and Advocacy Service is a charity, tax-deductible organisation, and welcomes community and corporate support.
For support about child sexual abuse, contact Phoenix on 08 9443 1910, or call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for all sexual violence matters.
To be part of WA’s peak business organisation, get in touch via 1300 422 492 or [email protected].
