1800 385 578Full Stop Australia's latest initiative to support survivor-advocacy.
Expressions of interest are now open for the Survivor-Advocacy Ideas to Action Incubator Program —a structured, trauma-informed program designed to support victim-survivors of sexual, domestic, and family violence (SDFV) in developing advocacy skills and turning their ideas into impactful initiatives.
What is the Incubator Program?
The Ideas to Action Incubator is a free program that supports survivor-advocates of sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) to connect with a safe community of peers, develop their advocacy skills and transform ideas into actionable impact projects through structured sessions.
Led by lived expertise, the Incubator provides skill-building workshops, webinars, toolkits, peer connection, and coaching to empower survivor-advocates to drive meaningful change in their communities.
This program does not require participants to share personal experiences; rather, it supports using lived expertise to inform advocacy in a way that feels safe for each individual.
The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS). Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information. The program is funded by a DSS Strong and Resilient Communities grant, which is available to people based in Sydney City and Inner South. The geographical focus is an aspect of Strong and Resilient Communities grants, which aim to support and empower local communities.
What will Incubator activities include?
- Skill-building workshops on advocacy, storytelling, leadership, and campaigning.
- Insight sharing and guidance from experts.
- Peer support in a safe, survivor-centred space.
- Resources to develop and grow survivor-led initiatives.
- A community of advocates working towards meaningful change.
When is it launching?
The pilot program will launch in June 2025, offering an initial group of participants the opportunity to shape and refine the program. This is the first of three rounds of the program meaning if now isn’t the right time, there will be future opportunities. The pilot round will play a key role in shaping the structure and content of the following rounds.
Who should apply?
We are seeking expressions of interest from victim-survivors of sexual, domestic or family violence based in Sydney (Sydney City and Inner South) who:
- Have lived experience of sexual, domestic, and family violence.
- Are passionate about advocacy and social change.
- May have an early-stage idea for advocacy or survivor-led initiatives, or passion for advocating on a particular issue.
- Are ready to develop their skills, share knowledge, and collaborate in a safe, supportive environment.
Wellbeing and Readiness:
The Incubator is a supportive and empowering space, which involves reflective and interactive sessions. We recognise that engaging in these sessions may be challenging, depending on where people are at in their healing journey.
As part of the selection process for the Incubator Program, we will consider where applicants are in their healing journey to ensure the program is the right fit at the right time. This is in the hope that we are creating a safe and supportive experience for all participants.
What would I gain from participating?
As a participant in the Ideas to Action Incubator, you will:
- Build confidence in advocacy and public engagement.
- Learn practical skills to develop and sustain survivor-led initiatives.
- Engage in interactive workshops where you’ll gain insights from experts.
- Join a supportive network of survivor-advocates working towards change
This is the first of three rounds of the program, meaning that if now isn’t the right time, there will be future opportunities to participate. Insights and feedback from participants in this round will help shape how the following rounds develop.
Who is an advocate?
Being an advocate means actively supporting, championing, or speaking out for a cause, issue, or group of people. Advocacy can take many forms, including:
Community Advocacy – Working within communities to create change, raise awareness, and build support for important issues.
Systemic Advocacy – Engaging in efforts to change policies, laws, or structures to address injustice or improve outcomes for a broader group.
Advocacy can involve storytelling, public speaking, policy work, grassroots organising, media engagement, and more.
In the context of the Incubator program, it’s about empowering people who have experienced sexual, domestic or family violence to use their lived expertise to drive meaningful social change while supporting their own well-being and safety.
What We Ask of Participants
The Incubator is a shared space where we commit to:
- Respecting privacy and confidentiality.
- Practicing self-awareness – recognising personal trauma lenses and their impacts.
- Approaching the space with goodwill and generosity.
- Contributing to an open and safe environment for learning and growth.
- Prioritising inclusivity and valuing diverse perspectives.
- Thinking beyond individual experiences to drive broader impact.
- Engaging with respect and accountability in all program interactions.
- Committing to learning and making space for others to grow.
- Being present, while stepping out when needed for self-care.
- Focusing on the work and the ‘why’ behind advocacy.
We are committed to upholding the program’s core values:
- Safety and Respect
- Curiosity and Creativity
- Transparency and Accountability
- Connection and Support
- Intentionality and Preparedness
- Diversity and Inclusivity
- Collective Growth
Express your interest today
To apply, complete the Expression of Interest form by the 18th of May, 2025. For any questions or accessibility support, please contact us at advocacy@fullstop.org.au
We look forward to hearing from you!