Stepping Out Program

16/09/2025

Through the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline, Full Stop Australia provides free, confidential and 24/7 counselling support for anyone in NSW affected by s*xual violence, including CSA. This includes victim-survivors, their loved ones, supporters and professionals.

Phone: 1800 424 017
Website for more info:
http://nsws*xualviolence.fullstop.org.au

16/09/2025

This is a question which we have put forward as the theme of the National Older Women's Conference to be held on October 2nd 2025.

However, Facebook won't let us advertise the conference as it is viewed as 'political'. So we cannot tell older women in Australia that this conference is happening to discuss issues of homelessness and violence, and economic inequality and political representation.

Please help us to spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family.

Click here to register: https://events.humanitix.com/nown2025
And thanks to support from the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, we have some sponsored tickets for older women who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend.

When: Oct 2nd 2025 from 9:15am
Where: UTS Aerial Function Centre

16/09/2025

💜💜💜

“I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”
Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie and one of her many dogs!

12/09/2025

09/09/2025

STEPPING OUT AMBASSADOR ... drumroll ... MELANIE JAI!

Artist, writer, speaker and lived experience advocate, Melanie Jai is first and foremost a survivor. From the tender age of four, any chance of a normal life was taken from her by a man who continued to take for six more years, unbeknownst to her parents. She was moulded to be compliant and silent until two catastrophic events led to a complete breakdown. The climb that followed is a testament to her tenacity and resilience and an unwillingness to give in, despite the odds.

She has developed a voice as a learnt necessity to rewind in order to move forward through her own recovery. As an artist, her whimsical childlike themes share stories often kept behind closed doors, starting essential conversations around processing complex emotions, but in a lyrical way.

This whimsy, courage and advocacy can be found in Melanie's book "Little Lionheart", a valuable child protection resource. More to come x

04/09/2025

An honour and privilege to represent Stepping Out and in**st survivors at the latest awareness-raising event by Corrilee Foundation in Canberra. A screening of the French film “Un Bruyant Silence”was well-attended by survivors, supporters and changemakers at the fabulous National Film and Sound Archives.

Melissa, CEO, spoke on a panel with Grace Tame, Dr. Sue Packer AO and Josh Byrnes, survivor advocate. Moderated by Rob Carlton, we talked about the importance of distinguishing CSA by power imbalance as well as understanding the grooming process to better support survivors and protect children.

Kudos to Tanya Lee for taking this last taboo out of the shadows and into public discussion so that survivors can feel heard and validated.

03/09/2025

🙏🙏🙏

02/09/2025

Feeling teamish! Krisha, final year Social Work student placement and April, recently graduated lawyer and volunteer - lightening the load with Uzma at our weekly session at . Stepping Out is helping Addi Moves to co-design a trauma-informed exercise program specifically for CSA survivors to benefit mental health and common issues with physical health eg chronic pain, diabetes, bone density and autoimmune disorders. If you know or work with or are a CSA survivor who would benefit, reach out at info@steppingout.org.au
🏋️🏋️‍♀️🏋️‍♂️

28/08/2025

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
Dr Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Ruth Fitton
ruthfittonportraits

24/08/2025

14/08/2025

has been named a Small Charity of the Year finalist for the Third Sector Awards 2025!

We encourage you all to vote for our small but mighty charity making a difference to the lives of women who have experienced child s*xual abuse.

Public voting is now open here: https://thirdsectorawards.com.au/categories/

12/08/2025

Repost from

If you’d like to vote for this portrait in the People’s Choice Award, here’s the link: https://tinyurl.com/4262rrvc

‘Between the Sea and the Sky’

Pleased to share that my portrait has been selected as a finalist in this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize, winner to be announced this Friday 15th August.

The portrait is of the great Grace Tame, i .e. Great Tame, a deeply committed and passionate advocate for survivors of s*xual assault.

Why water and seaweed?

Grace is no stranger to stormy seas and murky depths, yet she still floats with power, majesty and unsinkable focus.

I think I might have caught a bit of that.

Thank you Grace 🙏

There’s a People’s Choice Award, so if you feel like giving me pic a wee nudge, I’d be stoked. ❤️

Link: https://tinyurl.com/4262rrvc

Nanda Hobbs National Portrait Gallery