You are invited to Beyond the Shadows – an online webinar shedding light on the experiences of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) impacted by domestic and family violence (DFV).

Featuring special guest and former Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis, a passionate youth affairs advocate, researcher and producer dedicated to shaping change on social inequalities experienced by children and young people.

In the DFV context, responses can primarily focus on the needs of adults, and this approach can lead to children being invisible and not receiving the help they need. Children impacted by DFV are among the most vulnerable people in our community, and children from CALD backgrounds, who are structurally marginalised, face even greater challenges.

This webinar aims to amplify these voices to ensure children from CALD backgrounds and young people are no longer invisible in the development of public policy and programs that impact them.

Join us, along with a diverse and experienced panel, as we explore how the policy and service environments can be more inclusive of children’s voices, with the aim of ensuring that children of CALD backgrounds are at the forefront of policy and decision making in the DFV space.

Event details

Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Time: 10am to 12pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Please RSVP by Friday, December 1, 2023.

Speakers and panellists:

Angelica Ojinnako
Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations (UN) 2022

Angelica, a youth advocate, researcher, and speaker specialises in addressing social and health inequalities affecting young people. She champions youth mental health, leadership, gender equity, and international youth development. Angelica served as the 2022 Australian Youth Representative to the UN and Australia’s Youth Delegate at the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. In 2021, Angelica was honoured with the NSW Premier’s Youth Medal and was named in the UN’s 23 Young People Leading Resilient Recovery in the Decade of Action.

Katherine Berney
Executive Director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance (NWSA)

Katherine serves as the Executive Director of NWSA, leading over 400 members in the fight to end violence against all identifying women, non-binary individuals, and children. Under Katherine’s leadership, NWSA is a respected government advisor, driving significant federal policy reforms. In 2023, Katherine was honoured with the Women’s Agenda Emerging NFP Leader award. Additionally, she is a PhD candidate in Sociology.

Diana Sayed
CEO of the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights

Diana serves as the CEO of the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights. Diana brings a wealth of experience as an international human rights lawyer. A frequent panellist on various news programs, such as The Drum, ABC The World, SBS, Al Jazeera, MSNBC and ABC Q&A, she's an expert in gender equality, social justice and human rights, backed by a Master's in International Human Rights Law. With over a decade in law, advocacy, and campaigning, Diana, a former refugee from Afghanistan, offers firsthand insights as a visible Muslim woman of colour in Australia.

Elise Phillips
Deputy CEO and Team Manager at Domestic Violence NSW

Elise is a registered psychologist with more than 15 years in clinical and leadership roles. She draws from personal experience with domestic and family violence. Her focus lies in driving systemic change for increased safety, prevention, and healing for survivors. As Deputy CEO and Team Manager of Policy, Research and Advocacy at Domestic Violence NSW, she champions stakeholder engagement and advocates for critical government investment in crucial areas.

Racheal Kirabo
Lived experience voice and Youth Liaison Officer

Racheal, a 24-year-old originally from Uganda, relocated to Australia in 2017. She holds Diplomas in Youth Work and Business Leadership and Management. Recognised with the Queensland Day Award in both 2020 and 2022, Racheal serves as the first female and young president of her community. She leads the Ugandans in Queensland Community while also working part-time as a Community Engagement and Development Officer at a high school, focusing on supporting families from CALD backgrounds.

Racheal is dedicated to empowering youth and advocating for their inclusion. As a Young Leader at Multicultural Youth Queensland, she champions employment opportunities and voices the concerns of her peers. Through storytelling, she shares her experiences, aiming to influence both young people and service providers. Racheal strives for increased youth involvement in shaping decisions impacting society across social, economic, and well-being fronts.

Donna Mosford
Strategic Projects Lead at SSI

Donna, in her capacity as the Strategic Projects Lead at SSI, spearheaded the implementation of SSI's Eastern Seaboard Roundtables and wrote the 'Meeting the Needs of Children from CALD Backgrounds in the context of DFV' report, which will be a focal point of this webinar. Before joining SSI, Donna worked at Multicultural NSW for 11 years. During her tenure, she fulfilled diverse positions such as Acting Director for Policy, Settlement, and Briefings, Associate Director for Capability Building and Project Management, and Senior Manager for Community Engagement. Across these roles, Donna collaborated with governmental bodies, NGOs, and community stakeholders.

Claire Treadgold
National Manager of Research and Evaluation for Starlight Children’s Foundation

Dr Claire Treadgold is the National Manager of Research and Evaluation for Starlight Children’s Foundation and an Adjunct Associate Professor with the Discipline of Paediatrics, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney She has over twenty years' experience in for-purpose organisations, with a particular focus on children, young people, health and community services. With a PhD in education, and other degrees in arts, communications and youth development, Claire has published papers and book chapters on peer support, advocacy and service delivery amongst other areas.