The #ReadyToListen MAP

The #ReadyToListen MAP outlines 10 Elements (actions) required for residential aged care service providers to be #ReadyToListen to disclosure of sexual assault. Being #ReadyToListen is also about ensuring support, protection and prevention. The MAP covers the Myths, facts And Practical strategies residential aged care service providers need to understand and implement. The MAP Guidelines outline the 10 Elements of the MAP and provide links to additional resources. Please also check out the following resources: 
  • MAP Workshop Kit, coming soon
  • MAP Audit and planning tool, coming soon
  • Resources library, click here
  • Monash University's course on preventing sexual violence, click here 

To keep up to date with the new resources (regularly be added to this page) subscribe to the OPAN newsletter by clicking here https://opan.org.au/contact-us/subscribe/

Please note the resources are presented in draft until May 2022. Given these are the first resources of their kind in Australia (perhaps the world!) we need to gather feedback on their implementation. If you have feedback please contact us using details below. 

The MAP Guidelines

The MAP Guidelines outline 10 Elements (or actions), and for each there is/will be: a one page summary (myths, facts, practical strategies) and a video exploring the issues. Click on the dot points immediately below to read (or watch) the whole Guidelines, or scroll further down and check the resources related to each Element. 
  • Overview of the MAP Guidelines (word version), click here
  • Overview of the MAP Guidelines (ppt), click here

MAP Element 1: Understanding sexual assault definitions and prevalence 

Summary statement: Education and resources are provided to ensure staff understand sexual assault definitions and prevalence.
  • ​Element 1 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 1 video, coming soon
  • Staff poster, coming soon
  • Sexual assault policy, coming soon
  • Sexual assault and LGBTI people, coming soon

MAP Element 2: Determining sexual consent 

Summary statement: Information and education are provided to ensure staff and residents understand what resident’s sexual rights are, what sexual consent is, and that sexual consent is explicitly given for each and every sexual activity.
  • ​Element 2 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 2 video coming soon
  • Consent guide, coming soon
  • Charter of resident's sexual rights and responsibilities, coming soon

MAP Element 3: Assessing the indicators of sexual assault 

Summary statement: The physical and psychological indicators of sexual assault are understood and prompt staff to check whether sexual assault has occurred.
  • Element 3 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 3 video coming soon
  • Indicators of sexual assault check list, coming soon 

MAP Element 4: Identifying the impacts of sexual assault

Summary statement: The impacts of sexual assault are understood and prompt staff to implement strategies to support victims/survivors and prevent sexual assault.
  • ​Element 4 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 4 video on impacts, click here
  • Impacts of sexual assault check list, coming soon 

MAP Element 5: Complying with reporting requirements 

Summary statement: Staff understand and comply with reporting requirements under SIRS and take into account the reasonable expectation of harm when reporting sexual assault.
  • ​Element 5 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 5 video coming soon
  • Guide to contacting the police, coming soon
  • Staff poster template for internal and external reporting, coming soon 
  • Sexual assault policy, coming soon

MAP Element 6: ​Providing immediate safety and support

Summary statement: Staff support victim/survivors who disclose sexual assault, provide information on sexual assault and advocacy services, and ensure immediate safety.
  • Element 6 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 6 video coming soon
  • Information for residents and their families (or advocates), coming soon
  • Guide for accessing sexual assault services, coming soon
  • Immediate responses checklist, click here
  • Guide for promoting resident autonomy, coming soon

MAP Element 7: Practicing open disclosure 

Summary statement: Staff understand and implement practical strategies for communicating about sexual assault in ways that are honest, timely, ethically responsible, and professionally expected.
  • Element 7 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 7 video coming soon
  • Framework for Open Disclosure and Sexual Assault, coming soon

MAP Element 8: Providing trauma informed residential aged care 

Summary statement: The service has a policy on Trauma Informed Residential Aged Care Services to promote the wellbeing of sexual assault victim/survivors, other residents, families, staff and volunteers – and staff education promotes policy implementation.
  • ​Element 8 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 8 video coming soon
  • Guide to trauma informed residential aged care services, coming soon
  • Guide to sensitive services for victims of sexual assault, coming soon

MAP Element 9: Recognising and reducing resident vulnerability

Summary statement: Staff recognise the factors that contribute to residents’ vulnerability to sexual assault and take steps to reduce this vulnerability.
  • Element 9 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 9 video coming soon
  • ​Kate Swaffer's video message: here

MAP Element 10: Protection, prevention and service improvement

Summary statement: ​The organisation demonstrates commitment to preventing sexual assault by implementing the practical strategies outlined in the #ReadyToListen MAP
  • Element 10 summary (print version), coming soon
  • Element 10 video coming soon
  • MAP Audit and Planning Tool (pdf), coming soon
  • MAP Audit and Planning Tool (word version), coming soon.

Contact us 

If you would like more information about this project, please contact:

Project partners

This MAP has been developed for the #ReadyToListen project. The #ReadyToListen project has been funded by the Department of Health and is being delivered by the Older Person's Advocacy Network, in partnership with Celebrate Ageing and the Older Women's Network, New South Wales. The Project Coordinator, Dr Catherine Barrett, is the Director of Celebrate Ageing and long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women. ​