The Independent Collective of Survivors (ICOS) is a national survivors-led and volunteer-run independent body that works with individuals and organisations in building capability to ethically and effectively employ lived experience knowledge of domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV), and other forms of gendered violence.
In 2021, a Collective of more than 30 advocates from across Australia came together to address the systemic lack of victim survivor lived expertise being valued and recognised as a vital contribution to the evidence base.
The Collective commenced a campaign to have the voices and insights of lived experience embedded in policy decision making through the establishment of a Victim Survivor Expert Advisory Council for the next The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
In response to the Collective’s leadership and negotiations with Commonwealth and all state and territory government representatives on the National Federation Reform Council Taskforce on Women’s Safety, the Morrison Government committed $1 million to ensure ongoing engagement with victim-survivors throughout the life of the next National Plan in support of the foundation principle. This investment has been re-committed to by the Albanese Government.
Members of the Independent Collective of Survivors drafted the Survivor Statement that opens the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
