Project Respect is an intersectional feminist, non-faith based organisation.
We are a specialised support and referral service for women and gender diverse people with experience in the sex industry, and for women and gender diverse people with experiences of sexual exploitation (including trafficking).
We offer free, confidential, person-centred and person-led, non-judgmental support
We connect to and create community
We provide safe community activities including lunch and gardening, and art & wellbeing
We amplify the voices of diverse lived experiences
We build the capacity of workforces to provide informed support
We engage in advocacy and research
Project Respect's purposes are to:
Provide support to women and gender diverse people with experience in the sex industry to achieve self-directed goals, including equitable access to services
Provide support to women and gender diverse people who have experienced trafficking for sexual exploitation, whether current, historic, international or domestic
Advocate for structural change to end sexual exploitation
We provide a platform to elevate and amplify the voices of, while also being informed and guided by, those with past and present lived experience.
We apply these values in the ‘way we work’ with service users, staff, volunteers, students, LEAG, Committee, collaborative partners, sector, and community.
Service Users at the Heart
Our service users are at the centre of everything we do. Our commitment is to voice, choice, empowerment, and collaboration.
Support Safety
Safety, access and inclusion are prioritised for all experiences of the sex industry or of exploitation, and in consideration of individual experiences of service users including those who identify as LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, diverse migrant cultures, and as living with disability.
Welcome Diversity
Diversity is celebrated, with emphasis on authentically tailored person-centred service. Services are provided without bias or discrimination. Human rights are centred, with an understanding that best outcomes occur through the sharing of power, rather than the exerting of it.
Embrace Collaboration
Collaboration is central to relationships with service users, organisational partners and the wider community. Relationships are transparent, genuine and respectfully honest.
Be Adaptive – and Courageous
A spirit of continuous improvement and learning through strong service user partnership is fostered. Advocacy is informed by service user and community experience, and research.
The value of being flexible and adaptive is understood, and includes the ability to reflect and adjust direction and priorities in light of environmental changes, evolving evidence, and a deepened understanding of impact. The need for both adaptation and courage are acknowledged and supported, in the context of amplifying the voices of the lived experience of our service users, to bring about positive and impactful change.
Project Respect a youth and child safe organisation. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people including the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and young people, culturally and/or linguistically diverse children and young people, children and young people with a disability, and gender diverse and non-binary children and young people. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.
Our service users have a right to be supported and empowered as protective parents, and we aim to uphold this right. Children and young people have a right to be free from exploitation, violence and harm. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety. Safety concerns are treated very seriously. Where appropriate and safe to do so, concerns are discussed with parents or carers to empower planned and joint action.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, phone 000.
You can donate to Project Respect today to make a difference or learn about the other ways you can get involved.
