Queensland Survivors Take Sexual Violence Fight to Parliament Through Art

Brisbane — Queensland victim-survivors of sexual violence will take their experiences to Parliament House through an art exhibition on Wednesday, using their work to call for stronger prevention measures and greater support for survivors.

The exhibition, organised by the Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN), will bring together survivors, Members of Parliament, specialist support and prevention services and other stakeholders to view artworks created during workshops across the state and discuss action to prevent sexual violence.

The event comes amid a sharp rise in police-recorded sexual assault victims in Queensland, from 4,199 in 2015 to 9,173 in 2025.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data also estimates that 479,900 Queensland women, almost one in four, have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

The ABS further reports that 92% of women who experienced sexual assault by a male did not report their most recent incident to police, highlighting the limits of relying on police reports alone to understand the scale of sexual violence.

For survivor participant, Rani Jane, the art workshops provided an opportunity to connect with others and communicate a message that can be difficult to express.

“I found it empowering to create alongside other victim-survivors and use art to share a message that matters so much to me,” Jane said.

“I want people to understand that our voices have power. Survivors deserve to be heard, believed and listened to without judgement. No one should feel silenced or afraid to speak up," she said.

QSAN Chief Executive, Angela Lynch, said fear of disbelief, shame, stigma and victim-blaming attitudes could prevent survivors from speaking about their experiences or reporting sexual violence.

Navigating justice systems could also be difficult and traumatic, she said.

“Sexual violence can be an uncomfortable topic, but avoiding these conversations only allows the silence and stigma to continue,” Lynch said.

She said preventing sexual violence required communities to speak openly about consent, support survivors and challenge attitudes and behaviours that enabled abuse.

Queensland Sexual Assault Network Chief Executive, Angela Lynch.

“We need communities where victim-survivors can speak about their experiences without shame, where they are met with belief and support and where our laws and justice systems protect them from further harm,” Lynch said.

The exhibition forms part of QSAN’s No More Silence, Prevent Sexual Violence campaign for Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

The network represents specialist sexual violence services across Queensland, including those operating in regional and rural communities, and works with members and stakeholders on prevention and survivor support.