How we engage

The DVSC engages with the Defence and veteran ecosystem at three key levels:

Inform: We will keep stakeholders well-informed of DVSC information, proceedings, changes, findings and reports, in a timely manner. 

Engage: We will make sure that people impacted by and who have experiences with serving and ex-serving Defence member suicide and suicidality are engaged safely.

Collaborate: We will collaborate with people who have experience and understanding of current and ex-serving Defence member suicide, and a range of stakeholders and experts who can support us to engage others. 

The following principles guide, to the extent possible, how we work and how we will seek to build trust with the Defence and veteran ecosystem:

• Listening to lived experience: We listen to the voices of serving and ex-serving ADF members and their families. The DVSC seeks meaningful engagement, where we actively reflect on what we have heard and show how it influences what we do. By actively involving stakeholders from the outset, we ensure that their perspectives shape our approach and decisions.
• Trauma-informed engagement: The DVSC prioritises safe, appropriate and trauma-informed engagement. This means engaging closely with individuals, supports and services to design and deliver our engagement. We focus on person-centred engagement and make sure there is support for people who share their story.
• Connection, care and trust: We put the care and safety of the community at the centre of all engagement and communication. We will focus on engagement methods to minimise barriers to participation.
• Diversity: We are committed to meaningful consultation with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people of all abilities, people of diverse genders and sexual orientations, and those who have experienced trauma.
• Clear and transparent communication: We share what we find through reports, updates and educational material. We aim to ensure this information is accessible and easy to understand. This helps build trust and keeps people informed. Communicating with our stakeholders in an open and transparent way promotes our intent to create clarity and accountability.