The following speech was delivered by Rachel Heslin at the opening the North West Arch centre in Burnie on 1 March 2026.
I’ve been invited today to share my hopes for the Burnie Arch in responding to the needs of victim-survivors here in the North-West. First, I must acknowledge that while I am a Laurel House LEEP advocate, my views are my own, and as such do not necessarily reflect the views of Laurel House.
I’ll start by stating that The Arch in Launceston has proven to be an invaluable resource for myself over the past few years. There have been three separate occasions where I have reported my experiences, with the first report being conducted at the Launceston Police Station, and the following two conducted at The Arch.
For my first reporting experience, I didn’t have a choice of location.
Unfortunately, as my first time seeking help from police, I found myself in the position of experiencing re-traumatisation. Upon walking into the station for the first time, I was shaking from fear and adrenaline, hopeful that I would leave the station feeling just a little safer than I did upon my entrance. This was not the case.
As I approached the officer overseeing the front desk, I was met with an unprecedented combination of exasperation and irritation. While discussing my decision to involve the police, which was a necessary measure to ensure my safety, I was chastised. Specifically, I was told to “calm down” as “there was no need to be hysterical”. Yet I was – as calmly and eloquently as I could muster – reporting my recent escape from domestic violence.
After this interaction had concluded, I felt apprehensive about progressing my case further. Fortunately, my case investigator was incredibly kind and accommodating to my needs, making my experience significantly more manageable. However, upon having my statement officially documented, I found the environment to be … unsettling at best. My statement was to be recorded in a small, monochromatic room with very little light, uncomfortable seating, and tripod camera facing directly towards me. I can still recall the strenuous task of retrieving the details of my abuse, while working hard to circumvent my impending emotional meltdown before the scrutinising lens of the camera.
Fast forward a year or so, and I found myself – once again – in need of reporting services. After spending a good amount of time receiving counselling from Laurel House, I was told about The Arch and its services. The contrast between my first report at the station and those conducted at The Arch can be likened to “day and night”.
Seeking support from The Arch’s services helped me regain a semblance of safety, stability, and comfort. I was always given a choice.
I remember that my councillor walked me through the building, showing me each room and ensured I was comfortable with the environment. I was given choice as to which room to have our sessions in. Additionally, I was often reassured that if, at any time, I wanted to request a different councillor or special investigator, I needn’t provide a reason and there would be no hesitation. I was given a choice. This was the first time where my wants, needs and concerns were so highly prioritised. Through the support of The Arch team, I was beginning to feel safe again.
This safety was further cultivated through The Arch’s facilities. As an individual who is neurodivergent, I’ve found that while existing in a dysregulated state, my environment can be – or become – both cognitively and socially demanding, and visually, auditorily, and physically overstimulating. However, the facilities developed for The Arch are designed to minimise stress. There is access to different forms of comfortable seating, calming décor, and an assortment of items such as fidget toys, weighted bears, and pens and paper for drawing.
When I started my next reporting journey with support from The Arch, I was terrified that I would feel similarly to my first experience with reporting. It was quite the contrary. During a time where I felt my safety once again rested in the hands of strangers – I was given a choice. I chose to report in The Arch’s interview room, where I could choose what chair to sit in, or item to grab for comfort. These small choices can have a significant impact. Also, I found the absence of the tripod camera and its scrutiny to be both relieving… and liberating.
Through the support of my councillor and special investigator, and conducting my interviews at The Arch, I can say with confidence that I left my two reporting encounters feeling safe, and hopeful.
I want to wrap up my time today by sharing my hopes for the future of The Arch. It is my hope that The North-West Arch becomes a cornerstone for victim-survivors, whether it be through reporting lived experience, seeking council, or choosing what chair to sit on.
Thank you for your help in giving us a choice.
