-
413 women incarcerated in Victoria right now*
229 are sentenced
184 are not sentenced(January 2025 Corrections Victoria)
* These numbers are not inclusive of trans women and gender-diverse people who are often incarcerated in men’s prisons.
Every woman, trans and gender diverse person deserves to live a life free from trauma, injustice and violence
Flat Out is a state-wide advocacy and support service for women, trans and gender diverse people (and their children) who have been criminalised. We are an independent, not for profit, community-based organisation that aims to prevent women and trans and gender-diverse people from entering and returning to prison. We provide outreach support to the Victorian women’s prisons and work with criminalised women, trans and gender diverse people — many who have experienced incarceration, homelessness, family violence, mental health issues, and alcohol and other drug use.
Flat Out leads and participates in research and education to the broader community about women’s rights to live free from trauma, injustice and violence, and the issues that occur for women and trans and gender diverse people in the criminal legal system.
"Released to freedom"
My file will say when I leave here
I will carry a black garbage bag
Containing all that remains of my old life
Everything that I own to begin my new life
Nothing will fit me anymore
Not my old clothes
Nor my old life
Where will I start?
I will have a name and a number in my hand
It will be my salvation
I will pick up the phone and call
Flat Out
”
— Aunty Vicki Roach
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Flat Out Inc. has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘VCAT’) for an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (‘EO Act’) so it can:
advertise for and only employ women, trans and gender diverse people at Flat Out Inc, and restrict the membership of Flat Out Inc to women, trans and gender diverse people.
If you want to make a submission to the Tribunal either for or against the application, you must send it in writing to humanrights@vcat.vic.gov.au. Please quote reference H411/2025.
If you would like the Tribunal to hold a hearing and hear oral submissions, please contact the Tribunal in writing to humanrights@vcat.vic.gov.au or on 1300 018 228 asking for a hearing to be listed. Please quote reference H411/2025.
The closing date for submissions and requests for a hearing is 23 February 2026.
