Christine Nixon, Ambassador, Children of Phoenix
Children of Phoenix are honoured and pleased to announce that Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Christine Nixon APM, will be the Ambassador for the organisation. Ms Nixon is an advocate of sexual assault victims, with survivors holding her in high esteem.
Christine has played key roles in the establishment of various key statewide committees that bring together key stakeholders and services to collaborate for effective responses to eliminate violence against women and children. Under Christine’s leadership, Victoria Police have taken a social leadership role with regard to sexual violence and family violence affecting the lives of children and adults and addressing the needs of disaffected and disengaged youth in our society.
In 2001 when she was sworn in as Chief Commissioner she was the first woman to lead a police force in Australia .
Respected by all members of the community Ms Nixon stated in her inaugural speech that “I will focus on those priority areas of key concern to our citizens – crime control, safer homes and public places and the reduction of violence.”
In seeing that through Ms Nixon has worked on and launched a number of projects that help to raise awareness of and stop domestic violence and also sexual assault in our communities.
Ms Nixon said Victoria Police is committed to providing victims of sexual assault and family violence with a supportive and professional response and it is continually exploring opportunities to further improve the quality of its service.
“When Victoria Police responds to incidents of family violence and sexual assault we demonstrate that abuse against women and children is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community at any time,” Ms Nixon said.
‘Through police intervention we aim to help protect victims from additional harm at times when they are most vulnerable and with investigation and prosecution of criminal offences we hope to reduce the prevalence of family violence and sexual abuse in the community.
Ms Nixon said Victoria Police welcomes any initiative which seeks to help victims of sexual abuse and violence rebuild their lives.
“Children of Phoenix are striving to assist victims of sexual assault move on with their lives by supporting their educational needs. I am pleased to be associated with Children of Phoenix and would encourage members of the community to support their work.”
Prof. Taylor, founder of Children of Phoenix said she is “thoroughly delighted and humbled” to have Christine as our first ever Ambassador adding, “Christine is an inspiration to young people and adults of all ages, not just in Victoria but across Australia . Her style of leadership and genuine empathy and passion to create a more just society for everyone mark her as a role model of significance, especially for young people.”
