Our History

At a time when Australia was beginning to confront the impact of church-related sexual abuse, many survivors were still living with isolation, financial hardship and the long-term effects of trauma. While significant legal and institutional reforms were underway, there remained a need for a community-based organisation that could provide practical assistance, personal support and ongoing connection.

From its earliest days, Lifeboat was shaped by listening to survivors. What began as a small, volunteer-led initiative in Geelong developed through the experiences of those it served. Their insights and needs helped shape the organisation’s programs and continue to guide its work today.

In 2017, Lifeboat became a registered Australian charity and Public Benevolent Institution, strengthening its governance and enabling the Foundation to expand its work through community partnerships, philanthropy and tax-deductible giving.

Over time, Lifeboat’s work has grown beyond supporting individual survivors to also assisting families who continue to experience the lasting and often intergenerational effects of abuse. The Foundation recognises that the impact of trauma is rarely confined to one person and that healing is strengthened through connection, understanding and practical support.

Since 2013, Lifeboat has grown from a local volunteer initiative into a charitable foundation supporting survivors and families across Australia. While the organisation has expanded, its purpose has remained unchanged: to walk alongside those affected by church-related sexual abuse with practical support, compassion and respect.