Stepping Out Program

24/03/2026

Stepping Out will provide training this week to allied health specialists from Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies on special considerations when working with women survivors of child s*xual abuse.

Spoiler alert - give them plenty of space, no touching without consent, build trust and always keep the power dynamic in mind. Without trauma-informed practice, there is a risk of inadvertently activating a trauma response and framing it as challenging behaviour rather than emotional distress.

If your workplace comes into touch with women with trauma histories, we are available for training, tailored to your industry. If interested, reach out at info@steppingout.org.au.

19/03/2026

Thanks Hope and Heal - we love your work too! See you on Sunday at Gleebooks for Lynette Curran’s CSA memoir launch 🙏🎂🌼

We are proud to support Stepping Out, who have spent over 40 years supporting survivors of childhood s*xual abuse and advocating for change.

Childhood trauma is one of the major drivers of domestic and family violence. Organisations like Stepping Out play a vital role in supporting survivors and bringing these conversations into the open.

Join this special event celebrating the launch of Lynette Curran’s new book, with an incredible panel of advocates, writers and speakers.

Sunday 22 March
3.30pm for 4pm
Gleebooks, Glebe
Tickets $20 (includes drinks, light snacks and raffle)

Come along and support this important work.

Tickets:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1533389

17/03/2026

Stepping Out is so thrilled to work with Addi Moves for a co-designed trauma-informed exercise program specifically for women who are CSA survivors - it’s a safe space for trauma survivors to gain empowerment through embodiment, all in a thriving community centre where they feel at home 👏👏👏
Addi Road Community Organisation

⛹️‍♀️ Meet Addi Moves - a space where movement meets wellbeing

Addi Moves is not your typical gym, it’s a free, culturally responsive, trauma‑informed physical activity service led by accredited exercise physiologists. Designed through community co‑design, it creates a safe, welcoming environment where people can "move their mood" and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of exercise - without barriers.

Whether someone has experienced mental health challenges, food insecurity, gender‑based violence, displacement, or other forms of trauma, Addi Moves is here to support them through movement, connection and care with dignity and inclusivity at its core.

Since opening in 2022, Addi Moves has delivered over 1,700 sessions and provided thousands of hours of hands‑on experience for UNSW exercise physiology students - helping grow both community capacity and individual wellbeing.

Every session is more than exercise, it’s about building trust, strengthening resilience and making sure everyone feels welcome.

17/03/2026

13/03/2026

"And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through... But one thing is certain: when you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in."
Haruki Murakami - Kafka on the Shore,
2002.

Renato Muccillo - Valley Thunderhead, 2013.

08/03/2026

Beautiful cake by to celebrate Stepping Out’s 40th birthday. Thank you, Faye 🙏💛🌼

Pardon the deja vu but the last post did not capture this vision in its full glory! 🎂🍰🧁🍥

08/03/2026

Stepping Out’s 40th anniversary event at Petersham Bowlo went off on Thursday! We so appreciate Tanya Lee for making it happen, our amazing guests and all those who could come.

Huge gratitude to Faye Cahill for her beautiful birthday cake, seen here with our beautiful and brave Ambassador, Melanie Jai presenting it to the panel moderated by Stepping Out Chair Donna Bevan

Faye is a neighbour from Addison Road Marrickville and a friend of Stepping Out. Her cakes are simply extraordinary - whimsical, elegant, gravity-defying and delicious! Check her out her amazing cakery at 🎂🎂🎂

More gratitude forthcoming x

07/03/2026

Today, and every day, is International Women’s Day. Today we honour women whose life trajectories have been impacted by the patriarchal power structures inherent in CSA, including objectification, exploitation, manipulation and violation of trust. Stepping Out stands on the frontlines with CSA warriors Jess Hill Grace Tame and Tanya Lee.

CSA is a DIFFICULT conversation but these women have brought it out of the shadows and improved the prospects for future survivors. ✊🌼💛✊🌼💛

Pics from UN Women Australia’s IWD lunch at ICC 🙏

03/03/2026

PANELLIST AND STEPPING OUT BOARD MEMBER: JESS HILL

We’re honoured to have Jess Hill on our panel at Stepping Out’s CSA event on Thursday - not just as a speaker, but as a valued member of our Board of Directors.

is one of Australia’s most respected voices on domestic, family and s*xual violence. Her first book, See What You Made Me Do, reshaped the national conversation on power, coercive control and abuse. Since its release, the book has won major honours - including the 2020 Stella Prize and the ABA Booksellers’ Choice Adult Non-Fiction Book of the Year. It has also been adapted into an acclaimed SBS documentary series and translated internationally.

Jess’s writing and reporting have also earned her multiple Walkley Awards, an Amnesty International media award, Our Watch awards, and recognition as marie claire’s Changemaker of the Year. In 2024 she was named NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence, and more recently a NSW Australian of the Year nominee – the woman is an absolute game-changer.

Besides speaking on the panel with CEO Melissa Holmes and survivor advocates .rowe.33 and Tanya Lee , Jess will be donating some signed copies of her reprint of See What You Made Me Do to be raffled off – remember to bring some cash!

Thanks Jess, for all you do for women, the s*xual violence sector and Stepping Out✨

Pic: Jess Hill and Melissa Holmes at Elsie Conference 2024

02/03/2026

EVENT ORGANISER AND PANELLIST: TANYA LEE
Tanya Lee has spent over thirty years advocating for survivors of child s*xual abuse - forthright, tenacious, and famously with no filter. Drawing on her lived experience, Tanya has helped break the silence and stigma around CSA, long before it was in the news. A survivor of in**st herself, she carries the knowledge and lessons of the CSA sector, forming the foundation for the services and support we have today. We are so grateful to have her organising Stepping Out’s 40th anniversary event.

Through her charity, , Tanya has created legendary events raising awareness of CSA and particularly in**st. Her podcast, , uses well-known voices to share survivors’ stories in ways that both protect and amplify them.

Tanya will also join our panel, moderated by Chair Donna Bevan , alongside , .rowe.33 Rowe, and our CEO, Melissa Holmes.

Join us Thursday 5 March at Petersham Bowlo () for what promises to be another of Tanya's legendary events. All funds raised support specialist group programs and counselling for women survivors of child s*xual abuse.

Pic: Tanya at weekend retreat where trauma survivors can learn to relax with psychoeducation, yoga, sound healing, wholesome food, nature, connection and more 🦋