This series is for staff of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist domestic and family violence, sexual assault or women’s health services funded by the Office for Women and Violence Prevention, Department of Justice and Attorney-General

These brief sessions are structured to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander DFV services and practitioners at all levels to come together to share common concerns, questions and interests about the practical implementation of the DFV Services Practice Principles, Standards & Guidance in a culturally safe online environment.

Throughout this Community of Practice, we will explore each principle drawing on the knowledge of participants and the facilitators. Each session will start off with a quick look at the principle we are discussing followed by practice reflection and learning together.

These sessions will help enhance practice and build confidence in how we talk about it with others including auditors.

Bring your questions, a willingness to engage and share your experience and knowledge with the people in the group. This may include sharing what’s working well and your challenges so that we can dig deeper and find solutions together. If you would like to let us know in advance questions you have or what is important to discuss email christine@healingfoundation.org.au.

If you would like support with the DFV services practice principles, standards & guidance and you are not from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander service you can access support here Practice Standard Support.

Event Details:

All sessions – 11:00 am – 12.30 pm.

Friday, 28 January 2022 - Session 1: Centralising the client. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 1 - The rights, safety, and dignity of victims are paramount.

Friday, 18 February 2022 - Session 2: Knowing the context and the work. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 2 - Staff understand domestic and family violence.

Friday, 25 February 2022 - Session 3: Best practice and theoretical frameworks. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 3 - Services are evidence-informed.

Friday, 11 March 2022 - Session 4: Accountability in practice. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 4 - Perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

Friday, 8 April 2022 - Session 5: Cultural safety and knowledge. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 5 - Services are culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Friday, 22 April 2022 - Session 6: Making our work and services accessible. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 6 - Services are client-centred and accessible for all.

Friday, 29 April 2022 - Session 7: Working together to improve safety. For this session we will be exploring what we know and what we want to learn about DFV Principle 7 - Services collaborate to provide an integrated response.

Please note: This is a seven part series. Participants should attend all sessions.

Who should attend the info session?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services staff at all levels.

About the presenters

Rona Scherer

Rona Scherer is a Mamu Kuku Yalanji woman from Far North Queensland, living on Gubbi Gubbi country.

Rona has been facilitating cultural conversations for over 15 years to produce connections across employment, community services and now the DFV sector. Her recent work has been all about embedding cultural safety in services and organisations at all levels. She believes that people are at the heart of change and for cultural shifts to occur for workforce, many conversations must take place.

Gabrielle Borggaard Nicholson

Gabrielle is an executive leader, an accredited family violence social worker and a mentor. Her 17+ year career spans the human services from the Domestic and Family Violence Sector, the Child Protection Sector, Family Support and Therapeutic Counselling and experience in the Disability Sector.

During the last 13 years, she specialised in the executive management of not for profit organisations with a strong focus on justice and equality for women and elimination of gender based violence. Gabrielle recently left her position as the CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Centre, a position she held for more than 11 years, to establish Inner Vision Consulting