Foundations for Sexual Violence Work – 3 Part Online Series (April 2026)

This workshop provides participants with a foundational level understanding of sexual violence in Australia. This knowledge will be helpful for anyone interested in sexual violence work, new to sexual violence work or who interacts with sexual violence victim-survivors or perpetrators in their everyday work.  

This program has been developed with insights from the sexual violence, women’s health and wellbeing and domestic and family violence sector in Queensland. We invite you to join us to increase your understanding and knowledge in the following areas: 
 
Dynamics of sexual violence  
Gain understanding of what sexual violence is.  

• Terminology – types of sexual violence  

• Sexual violence in Australia and Queensland  

• Sexual violence law – introduction  

• Who are the victim-survivors of sexual violence  

• Who are perpetrators of sexual violence  

• Gendered violence 

Working with victim-survivors of sexual violence, and the perpetrators of sexual violence 
Know what do if a woman is experiencing sexual violence.  

• Providing a safe space  

• Person-centred responses  

• Intersectionality  

• Managing an immediate risk  

• Specialist advice and referrals  

• Professional boundaries, caring for yourself, and self-care plans 

Responses to sexual violence  
This module brings together modules 1 & 2 to discuss the sexual violence sector.  

• Who is responding to sexual violence – understanding the broader system  

• Specialised trauma informed support  

• Prevention, intervention, accountability, healing  

• Changes in law, how we use it 

Event details

Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
Session 2: Thursday, 23rd April 2026
Session 3: Friday, 24th April 2026

Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm AEST - Queensland Time (All sessions)
Location: Online (Zoom)

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

Who should attend

This event is suitable for new and existing workers in the sexual violence, women’s health and wellbeing and domestic and family violence sector.  

If this event is oversubscribed we reserve the right to limit places per organisation and restrict to WorkUP Queensland target group only.

The facilitators

Alison Lee (Alee) (she/her, they/them) 

Alee is a Gestalt, Yoga & Trauma Informed Psychotherapist, Artist & InterPlay Leader. Alee provides individual & group supervision, group facilitation & training. Since 1991, Alee has contributed to the development of creative and quality services in Queensland, nationally & internationally, prioritizing integrated, embodied, relational, practices. Alee has extensive experience working with victims-survivors of sexual violence with organisations. Alee holds a Masters of Gestalt Therapy and a BA in Fine Art. Alee is a Facilitator and Trainer with InterPlay Australia which aims to build community connections through culturally and environmentally sensitive practices. You can find out more about Alison at www.heartworklife.com.au.

Claudina Rodriguez 

Claudina has worked at various areas supporting people experiencing homelessness, supporting refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru, and with World Wellness group as a psychologist – and way before that as a cleaner in hotels and Sydney Fresh Fruit/veggie markets. Claudina brings a wealth of knowledge in supporting women subjected to domestic and sexual violence having worked at Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS) for 7 years, IWSS provides specialist sexual and domestic, family violence support for women and children from culturally diverse backgrounds. Claudina believes in being consistent, reliable, honest and respectful in her practice, and in setting up practices that provide safe spaces that are fair and just. She has a strong commitment to work towards greater equity for all – a just society with acknowledgement of the great strength that comes from having diversity in our community. Claudina maintains her cultural Argentinian/Chilean connection by cooking and eating as much traditional food as possible and speaking/listening and reading in Spanish at every opportunity