During Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, Act for Kids is shining a light on the helpers – our incredible team of Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Practitioners.
With unwavering compassion, these devoted individuals walk alongside families through some of their darkest and most overwhelming moments, offering strength, guidance, and hope on the journey toward healing.
Jacinta Rogers’ impressive academic and professional experience shows there are many pathways one can take to work in the field of domestic and family violence (DFV).
A program manager at Act for Kids, Jacinta is a qualified social worker who has attained a Masters of Social Work.
But that’s not all.
She also holds an Executive Master of Business and a dual degree in Psychological Science and Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Jacinta’s years of dedication to her studies has led to an incredibly fulfilling career spanning more than 15 years in both Australia and the UK across community and government services and child protection.
It should then come as no surprise that her passion for helping others is what drives Jacinta to do this important work.
“Working with families through complex and challenging situations is a privilege. I genuinely enjoy seeing the strength and resilience that people show, even in the most difficult circumstances,” she explained.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to create services and systems that empower families and make a real difference in their lives.
“I also enjoy leading teams who are just as passionate about this work as I am and supporting their professional growth.”
Jacinta admits as much as she enjoys her career, it is not without challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges in working with families experiencing DFV is building trust with people who have experienced significant trauma and may have had negative experiences with systems in the past,” she said.
“Navigating complex safety concerns, especially when children are involved, requires a delicate balance between support and accountability.”
Jacinta’s biggest piece of advice for someone seeking support for DFV is to shift their mindset to viewing seeking help as a sign of strength.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, and there are people and services who genuinely care and want to help without judgment,” she said.
“It’s okay to take the first step at your own pace, and there are many options to get support in a way that feels right for you.
“Breaking the silence can be the first step towards healing and change.”
For those in need of support:
1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
VictimConnect – 1300 318 940
QLIFE: 1800 184 527
MensLine – 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800