Schyler lives on Larrakia country

National Survivors' Day Welcomes New Ambassador Schyler Kennedy

National Survivors' Day is proud to introduce Schyler Kennedy as the new Ambassador for 2024. At just 20 years old, Schyler hails from Darwin, Northern Territory, and brings a powerful personal story of resilience, advocacy, and courage.

Throughout her life, Schyler has faced and witnessed numerous forms of abuse and neglect. As a child, she navigated significant challenges and often fell through the cracks of a system designed to protect her. By the age of 15, she was fleeing domestic violence, only to encounter further trauma at the hands of a predator.

After enduring over a year of sexual and domestic abuse, Schyler found the strength to escape, ending up in a youth homeless shelter and eventually in state care just before her 17th birthday.

Her journey, marked by adversity and struggles with her mental health, led to multiple hospitalizations. Yet, after intensive therapy and hard work, Schyler has transformed her experiences into a force for good. She now stands as a beacon of hope, using her voice to raise awareness about the issues often shrouded in silence.

As National Survivors' Day Ambassador, Schyler aims to inspire others to overcome life's greatest challenges. "My goal is to show others that it's possible to emerge stronger on the other side," she says.

Schyler has actively engaged with The CREATE Foundation, advocating for children in state care. She has participated in roundtable discussions, including with Northern Territory’s child protection service executives, and addressed professionals from the domestic violence and health sectors. Most recently, Schyler attended the National Office for Child Safety’s Youth Summit in Canberra, where she contributed to the national action plan to prevent child sexual abuse.

Through her role as Ambassador, Schyler Kennedy is determined to shine a light on the subjects too often left in the shadows, empowering survivors and advocating for real change.

Join us in welcoming Schyler as she continues to fearlessly lead the charge towards a world free from sexual assault and institutional abuse.