Meet the Changemakers at 437 Hunter
At Embrace People & Place, we’re fortunate to work alongside remarkable in-house partners who are shaping a stronger, more connected and sustainable Hunter region. Meet the Changemakers at 437 Hunter is our ongoing interview series spotlighting the people and organisations bringing purpose, creativity and community impact to life within our shared space.
In each issue, we sit down with one of our partners to explore the heart of their work, the challenges they’re tackling, and the hope that drives them. This issue, we’re speaking with Sophie Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer at VOCAL Victims of Crime Assistance League (Hunter). The team at VOCAL empowers victim-survivors by listening, giving choice, educating, and advocating for survivors of violence.
1. For those who may not know your organisation, how would you describe your purpose and the heart of your work in the Hunter region?
VOCAL-Victims of Crime Assistance League exists to ensure that people who have experienced crime are not left to navigate the justice system and its aftermath alone.
Our purpose is to provide independent, trauma-informed support for victim-survivors of all crimes and all genders, helping them understand their rights, access services, and regain a sense of safety and control in their lives. We listen first, because every person’s experience of crime is different.
In the Hunter, we support people affected by a wide range of crimes, including domestic and family violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, violent assault, missing persons, serious road crime and homicide. Our work sits at the intersection of support, advocacy and systems change, walking alongside individuals while also advocating for improvements in the systems that impact victims every day.
At its heart, VOCAL is about restoring voice, choice and dignity to people whose lives have been profoundly affected by crime.
2. What community needs or challenges does your organisation focus on addressing, and why are these so important locally?
The Hunter is a vibrant and diverse community, but like many regional areas, it faces unique challenges when it comes to access to justice and support services.
For many people who experience crime, there can also be a deep sense of isolation. Victim-survivors often tell us they feel alone in what they are going through, particularly when they are trying to navigate complex systems while also coping with the trauma of the crime itself.
Victims of crime here may experience barriers such as homelessness, distance, limited specialised services, financial stress, transport challenges, and the emotional difficulty of navigating systems like police, courts, housing services and compensation processes. Even systems designed to support people can sometimes feel complex or difficult to access, particularly for those already dealing with trauma.
At VOCAL, we focus on bridging that gap. We help people navigate the justice system, access counselling and financial assistance through the Victims Support Scheme, prepare and be supported at court, and reconnect with supports that help them rebuild their lives.
These issues are critical locally because regional communities rely heavily on trusted, community-based organisations to ensure people are not falling through the cracks. When victim-survivors are supported well, the benefits ripple out to families, communities, and the broader justice system.
3. Can you share a recent moment, story, or achievement that reflects the impact your organisation is creating?
One moment that stays with me involved a very young client who had to give evidence in court about a traumatic experience. The process was understandably frightening and overwhelming for someone so young.
Despite this, she showed extraordinary courage and determination to tell the truth. Watching her find her voice in such a difficult setting was incredibly powerful-not just for our team, but for everyone involved in the process.
Moments like that remind us why this work matters. It’s not just about systems and processes-it’s about standing beside people at some of the hardest moments of their lives and helping them feel seen, heard and supported.
We also see impact in quieter ways every day: when someone finally feels safe enough to seek help, when a family receives the support they need after a violent crime, or when a survivor realises they are not alone.
4. What are the biggest challenges you’re currently facing in delivering your work, and what would help make the biggest difference?
One of the biggest challenges across the sector is ensuring sustainable funding for victim support services, particularly in regional areas.
Demand for support for victims of crime continues to grow as awareness increases and more people feel able to come forward and seek help. At the same time, some crime statistics across NSW have also been rising. For example, recent data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows domestic violence-related assaults increased by 3.6% across NSW, with rises recorded across many regional areas. Reports of sexual assault have also increased by around 6.4%, reflecting both increased reporting and ongoing community need for support.
Longer-term trends also highlight the growing demand for support services. Over the past decade, recorded domestic violence-related assaults have increased significantly, and sexual assault reports have risen substantially across NSW. In parts of the Hunter region, domestic violence incidents have increased dramatically, with reports showing domestic assaults rising by more than 40% over a five-year period in some areas.
Services like ours require stable and reliable funding to retain experienced staff, deliver specialised trauma-informed programs, and reach communities that may otherwise miss out on critical support.
What would make the biggest difference is long-term investment in victim support services, alongside stronger collaboration across systems, including justice, health, housing and community sectors. When these systems work well together, victims have a much clearer and more supportive pathway to recovery.
The good news is that the Hunter has a strong culture of collaboration, and we are fortunate to work alongside many dedicated organisations that share the same commitment to supporting and strengthening our community.
5. How has being part of the 437 Hunter community influenced your work and the way you collaborate?
Being part of the 437 Hunter community has been incredibly valuable for VOCAL.
The space brings together organisations that share a genuine commitment to social impact, which creates opportunities for collaboration that might not happen otherwise. Having partners such as the Soul Hub social work team, community organisations, and other purpose-driven groups in close proximity means we can connect quickly, share knowledge, and support people in a more holistic way.
Being located within this shared community space has also influenced the way our service delivery continues to evolve. We recognise that the needs of victim-survivors are unique and are not static, and we aim to adapt our approach to meet people where they are at. For many individuals, reaching out for support can be incredibly difficult, so where possible, we try to create a welcoming environment where people can come in, ask questions, and, if capacity allows, speak with someone even if they do not have a prior appointment.
For victim-survivors, this kind of collaborative and accessible environment is critical. Often their needs span multiple services, and being able to link them to trusted partners within the same community ecosystem makes a real difference.
It also reminds us that community change happens through relationships, and 437 Hunter has created a space where those relationships can grow.
6. What is one thing you wish more people understood about the work you do or the people you serve?
One thing I wish more people understood is that the impacts of crime can be profound and long-lasting. For many victims, the effects of trauma do not end when the crime itself is over. The experience can shape a person’s sense of safety, wellbeing, relationships and connection to community for many years, and in some tragic cases, the psychological impacts can become so overwhelming that people lose hope entirely.
At the same time, it is important to recognise that victims of crime are also incredibly resilient. People are often encountered at the moment they are experiencing the most trauma or distress, but that moment does not define who they are. Many of the people we work with demonstrate extraordinary courage, strength and determination as they work to rebuild their lives.
Support services are not about “fixing” people; they are about walking alongside individuals while they regain control over their own lives and futures.
It is also important to recognise that services like VOCAL operate with small, highly dedicated teams who are supporting a significant and growing number of victim-survivors. Our staff manage a high volume of referrals, phone calls and complex cases every day. While we always strive to respond as quickly and compassionately as possible, the demand for support continues to increase.
When communities understand both the profound impact of crime and the resilience of victim-survivors, it helps shift the conversation from one of victimhood to one of strength, dignity and recovery.
7. On a personal note, what motivates you to do this work—and what keeps you hopeful?
What motivates me most is seeing the difference that compassionate support can make in someone’s life.
When people experience crime, their sense of safety and trust in the world can be deeply shaken. Being able to help restore even a small sense of stability, choice, or hope is incredibly meaningful.
What also keeps me hopeful is the passion and courage we see from people who choose to stand up, speak their truth, and advocate not only for themselves but for many others. Many survivors and community members use their voices to raise awareness and push for meaningful change-not just for their own healing, but also for those who may not yet feel able or safe to speak out.
Every time someone finds the courage to seek help, or when communities come together to stand alongside victims of crime, it reminds me that positive change is possible.
8. Finally, what’s your favourite place in the Hunter to unwind, feel connected, or recharge?
The Hunter has so many beautiful places to recharge, but for me, the coastline is always grounding. Spending time near the ocean, whether it’s a quiet walk along the beach or simply taking a moment to watch the waves, helps me reset and reflect.
I also really value taking time to connect with friends over dinner, enjoying great food and a beautiful view. Those moments of connection and slowing down are just as important for recharging.
