RESTORE Centre launched

The RESTORE Centre is the first dedicated Centre to lead research into innovative health sector responses aimed at restoring wellbeing and enhancing access to healing for victims/survivors of sexual violence in adulthood.

Led by Professor Laura Tarzia from the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, the Centre aims to generate new knowledge to strengthen health policy and practice, while guiding investment. It will also test emerging therapies including trauma-sensitive yoga and art and music therapy to increase pathways to healing.

The Centre will work closely with lived experience experts to enhance trauma-informed service delivery and support early and mid-career researchers, including scholars with lived experience.

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin welcomed the new Centre and spoke about the importance of addressing sexual violence, which receives less attention compared to domestic and family violence.

Associate Investigator and lived experience expert, Fiona, shared her experiences trying to access support through the health system, and emphasised the importance of receiving responses that promote healing and recovery.

Dr Claudia Garcia-Morena from the World Health Organization highlighted the health impacts of sexual violence and the critical role of health systems in responding to victims/survivors.

Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the RESTORE Centre is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, University of Newcastle, UNSW and Monash University, with international partners from John Hopkins University (USA) and Coventry University (UK).

For more information about the RESTORE Centre, visit www.restorecentre.org.au or contact us at restore-centre@unimelb.edu.au.