Stephanie Richards

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Richards

Rowan De Silva spent her early adolescence feeling like time was constantly running out. The 19-year-old came out as transgender when she was 12, and started accessing gender-affirming care at Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital shortly after her 13th birthday. "I was on the waitlist for a little bit of time, which was at the time kind of stressful and sort of a bit of an omen of things to come I think," she said, reflecting on her time at the hospital’s gender diversity service.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Richards

SA's gender diversity service did not refer almost two dozen children to a psychiatrist in line with government guidelines. The 22 children — aged between 11 and 18 — were assessed by senior mental health clinicians before receiving treatment, but they were not assessed by psychiatrists. The head of the state's Women's and Children's Hospital, who apologised to families, has ordered a review.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Richards

"I don't think they can prevent it."That is what an 11-year-old child wrote on a postcard addressed to South Australia’s royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence. In just seven words, the child summed up the despair many South Australians felt at the end of 2023. Six deaths within weeks, each linked to alleged family and domestic violence.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Richards

From July 1, social workers in South Australia need to become registered to work. Some groups are concerned experienced workers without direct social work qualifications might leave if forced to spend time and money upskilling. A spokesperson from the board says it was still working through details of who would be required to obtain registration.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Richards

SA Police told the SA Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence that a lack of funding has left victims waiting longer to receive background checks. The commission heard that demand for the domestic violence disclosure scheme had risen more than 200 per cent since it began in 2018. The SA government has asked the royal commission findings to be handed down in July.