Kristy Smith

Until I found Clare and Alice, my family and I were alone with limited support trying to survive an horrific situation that no one should ever have to endure.

I’m just one of several victims of serious crime who’ve benefitted from the kindness, care and advocacy of Alice and Clare who identified a critical gap in essential support services for victims of serious crimes including murder. They give their time, expertise, resources and most importantly their heartfelt compassion to provide those of us who have nowhere else to turn, with advocacy and support in serious matters that fall outside the scope of other victim support organisations.

Unlike other organisations that provide support services such as counselling for victims of crimes, the work of Advocacy Australia is uniquely profound. It is unfunded meaning that everything Alice and Clare do is pro bono, sometimes at significant financial cost to them.

What sets Alice and Clare’s commitment apart from other victim support organisations is that they’re not afraid to challenge what others see as insurmountable barriers. Rather, they’re dedicated to addressing the significant issues confronting us.

They present alternate pathways to achieve our goals, rally support from key decisionmakers who share their passion, and advocate to uphold our fundamental rights. Significantly, they’ve given us back our voices through engaging media enabling us to share our loved one’s story with the world and spotlight the issues confronting those of us who are left behind.

Where once we were silenced and felt helpless, Alice and Clare’s dedication and unique innovative approach to profile our struggles empowered us to seek justice, equity and recognition of our loved ones. Importantly, for me and others like me, Clare and Alice walk gently beside us on our difficult journey providing the care, sensitivity, support and advocacy we’re unable to find elsewhere.