VSS Annual Report 15-16 VSS Annual Report 15-16 | Page 27

Research Listening to victims is essential to our understanding of their lived experiences of crime and what needs to change to improve their treatment by the criminal justice system. Their input helps VSS to achieve real and lasting change through evidence-based research and advocacy. VSS established a Research Agenda in January 2016 which reflects our current strategic targets and our advocacy priorities. The Agenda was used as basis of consultation with a range of potential research partners, including the Commissioner for Victims’ Rights, Flinders University and the Department for Correctional Services. The research undertaken by VSS staff and volunteers is designed to promote continuous improvement in service delivery as well as underpin our advocacy campaigns (see Case Study: Child Victims of Crime). Advocacy through Committees and Workgroups VSS advocates on behalf of victims of crime through its membership of the following Committees and Workgroups: • ‘A Right to Safety’ Provision and Protection Working Group (Office for Women) • Addressing Violence Alliance • ANROWS Practitioner Engagement Group • Australia and New Zealand Society of Criminology Committee of Management • Barriers to Justice • Courts Community Reference Group • Coalition of Women’s DV Services SA • Family Safety Framework Implementation Committee • Family Safety Framework meetings across 18 Local Service Areas (various agencies) • Gambling Intervention Program Steering Committee • Homicide Support Network (various agencies) • Intervention Programs Consultative Committee • Magistrates Family Violence Court Users Group • Mid North Homelessness and Domestic Violence Action Group Meeting 26 • Mid North Homelessness Collaboration Meeting • Ministerial Workgroup on Women Offenders • Parole Board of South Australia • Port Pirie Domestic Violence Action Group Meeting • Serious Offender Committee, DCS • South Australian Family Law Pathways Group • Women Lawyers Association • Yorke & Northern Rural Region Rural Rape and Sexual Response Team Meeting • YP (Yorke Peninsula) SPOKE • Rape and sexual assault network (RASAN, Riverland) • Riverland Community Service Alliance (RCSA) • Riverland Violence against women (VAWC) • Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence Against Women and Children.