Changing Australia: Rachael Lloyd and providing long-term support for victim-survivors of domestic abuse

This episode of Radio National Breakfast features Rachel Lloyd, founder and CEO of the Lakahi Foundation, discussing the critical need for long-term, holistic support for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in Australia. Drawing from her own traumatic experience of leaving an abusive relationship with her twin toddlers, Lloyd emphasizes that while leaving a violent relationship is dangerous and complex, the real challenge lies in rebuilding lives afterward. She highlights how her own survival was made possible by a dedicated caseworker, which inspired her to create Lakahi—a nonprofit providing sustained case management, financial aid, legal advocacy, housing support, and emotional care to over 250 families. Despite a 97% success rate in preventing return to abuse, the organization faces imminent closure due to lack of government funding, underscoring systemic failures in supporting survivors beyond crisis intervention. Lloyd calls for a shift in policy to prioritize long-term, trauma-informed support that addresses ongoing technological, legal, and emotional abuse that persists even after leaving. The episode reveals the profound impact of consistent, trusted support on recovery and safety, with Rachel reflecting on how her journey from victim to advocate has transformed her life. She stresses that healing is not linear and that systems like family courts and child support often fail survivors, enabling perpetrators to maintain control. The conversation underscores the urgent need for sustainable public investment in services like Lakahi, which prove both effective and cost-efficient. With women in Australia still waiting an average of six weeks to access support, and 80% of intimate partner homicide victims being women, the episode delivers a powerful call to action to reframe domestic violence response from crisis-only to long-term recovery-focused care.