I grew up in the lush mountains on the lands of the Gunaikurnai people, the traditional owners of much of Gippsland. I am currently living on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

I am a cliche inner north suburbs resident who loves pottering around Melbourne’s beautiful parks, sipping on Pet Nats, listening to Camp Cope,  and complaining about Melbourne’s unpredictable weather. 

I am a PhD student in the Global, Urban and Social Sciences school at RMIT University. I am also AASW accredited social worker, an academic tutor, research assistant and provide in-person support for victim-survivors of sexual violence in Melbourne Meetups through The Survivor Hub. 

I have lived experience of sexual violence and mental distress and purposefully use this expertise in my research and practice. 

In my experience, we are too often asked to re-tell our stories – for police, courts, journalism, and research, and we are left having to sit with our trauma after it has been trawled through. There is a time and place for revisiting our trauma. This research will purposefully avoid delving into these experiences. Instead, it will seek to contribute to research that elevates victim-survivor knowledge and expertise and ensure that the research design and recommendations represent victim-survivor needs, voices, and insights.  

I am incredibly excited and privileged to work on this research project with you, and I look forward to working together and learning from your expertise.   

Warmly,
Jess