Melbourne Masterclass: Coercive Control and Shame - Ensuring a systemic approach to ending family violence related homicides

About the Event

This Masterclass is designed to support the latest national action plan and legislative reforms on coercive control, offering practical actions and leadership thinking around risk assessment and management to prevent FDSV-related homicides.

Domestic and Family Violence, at their core, stem from an imbalance of power and control in close relationships. Coercive control is increasingly recognised as a powerful form of entrapment, resulting in chronic fear and, at times, leading to homicide. A significant challenge in our systemic response is the variation in legislation across states and territories regarding the recognition and reporting of coercive control. 

Join us in this Masterclass to gain a deeper understanding of the 8 Stages of the Homicide Timeline, the role of shame as we respond to family violence; and explore practical ways to develop shame-informed and intersectional strategies to support individuals, families and professional practitioners working in this space.

This interactive Full Day Masterclass will enable delegates to:

• Apply adequate interventions to the 8 stages of Homicide Timeline. 
• Explore coercive control with a focus on the person using violence. 
• Develop leading collaboration strategies and systems in response to coercive control, and consider interventions that can stop homicides/suicides.
• Understand how Shame manifests in our work and design shame-informed approaches. 
• Explore our knowledge about Shame and how we manage it effectively. 
• Integrate learning into practice. 

Who Should Attend

This training is aimed at family violence specialists, NFP organisational leaders, professionals working across justice, legal, government and health sectors where family violence is evident in your work. We invite participation from: 

• family violence prevention and intervention practitioners
• Members of the Police 
• Child Protection Services
• Policy makers 
• Senior leaders and program managers  
• Court responders and Registrars
• Addiction services
• mental health and private practice professionals 

About your Facilitators

Attributes: Reflective, clever, thoughtful; value dignity, justice, safety, and accountability

Expertise: Specialise in family violence; skilled in nuanced applications for working with men who abuse 

Leadership: Innovative in responding to those who use violence 

Capacity Building: Enhance others' abilities, and support practitioners and communities in prioritising safety and accountability 



Hala Abdelnour, Founder and CEO at Institute of non-violence

Hala is a highly qualified and experienced group facilitator, trainer, and practitioner, specialising in family violence, diversity, equity and inclusion. She holds a BSc (Psychology); BA (Criminology); Master of Social Work; Adv Dip in Group Facilitation; and Cert IV in TAE. She is also a Vincent Fairfax Fellow and is currently undertaking psychodrama core training. Hala has worked in maximum security male prisons as an AOD clinician, is a specialist in working with cultural diversity, can work safely with LGBTIQA+ and First Nations communities, has delivered hundreds of hours of men's behaviour change programs, is currently a clinical supervisor and therapist in the family violence space, specialising in engaging men who use violence. Hala has lived, worked and travelled in over 50 countries, is multilingual and has worked across NFP, government and private sectors. 

Learn more about Hala and connect with her on LinkedIn.



Mark Kulkens, Senior Psychologist and Trainer

Mark holds a Masters of Psychology and Bachelor of Social Science and has engaged in clinical and forensic psychological practice since 2003. He is specialised in working with shame and trauma, sexual violence, family violence, and highly vulnerable individuals. Mark carries over 20yrs’ experience in family violence practice, including men’s behaviour change facilitation, clinical supervision for the Men’s Referral Service and individual client work, since 1999. He is a member of the College of Clinical Psychologists (APS) since 2010; and the No to Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Assoc. since 1997.

Learn more about Mark and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Testimonials

"Glorious training, relaxed, fun, with targeted understandings, both individually and collaboratively." 

"Fantastic day; knowledgeable, approachable trainers." 

"Encouraged discussion and team collaboration." 

"Engaging activities and content, balanced between learning and practical application."

Session Date and Details

• Monday 21 July 
• 8:30am arrival and connecting
• 9am session commences
• 4:30pm session closes
• Voco Melbourne Central (Melbourne, VIC) 

For information about discounted accommodation rates, please contact info@ionv.com.au