Launch of Hear Our Voices — Amplifying Older Women’s Stories & Frontline Training Materials

About the Launch

For too long, older women’s experiences of sexual assault and gender-based violence have been overlooked or dismissed, leaving survivors invisible within services, policy and public consciousness. Hear Our Voices is a new online platform that changes that by gathering lived stories, frontline perspectives, research, and training resources in one place to inform better responses, support practice and transform service systems.

This launch brings together advocates, practitioners, policymakers and community members to celebrate the official unveiling of the platform and the training materials designed to strengthen workforce capability and sector understanding. The launch will be formally opened by Minister Jodie Harrison, whose leadership and advocacy for inclusive, trauma-responsive practice have helped shape sector priorities.

We will also be hearing from (i) Karen Willis OAM, a long-standing leader in the field of sexual assault and domestic violence support services in New South Wales and Australia. She served for many years as the Executive Officer of Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia (ii) Dr Catherine Barrett, founder of Celebrate Ageing - and advocate and leader in work on ageing, elder rights, ageism prevention and the sexual rights of older people.

Who Should Attend

This event is essential for:

• Frontline professionals in health, aged care, domestic & sexual violence services

• Workforce development and training coordinators

• Policy makers and sector leaders

• Advocates and community educators

• Students and researchers in social work, public health and human services

Whether you work directly with older women or shape systems that affect their safety, this launch provides practical insights, resources and connections you can apply in your work.

Why This Matters

Research and lived experience show that older women face unique barriers to safety, disclosure and effective support. Hear Our Voices brings these experiences to light and equips services with the knowledge, training and tools needed to respond with respect, competence and understanding. This project builds on the wider movement to end violence against older women and to challenge ageist and sexist invisibility in service systems.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 17 February 2026
Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Format: in person

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and honour the strength and courage of older women who shared their stories and helped shape this platform.

Join us to celebrate a step forward in listening, believing and responding to older women, so that no voice is left unheard.