As the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based violence draws closer, don’t miss the opportunity to register for It Starts With Us - a special documentary screening and panel discussion exploring family violence prevention, and young people contributing to change.

Schedule

12pm (light lunch - foyer) for 12.30pm start

12.30 - welcome & film screening

1.15pm - discussion panel

1.45pm - event ends

The Event is Hosted by: Big hART and ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety), together with the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Violence Against Women & Children

At this event, you will:

Watch the film

This acclaimed 30-minute documentary follows a group of teenagers as they take part in a transformative arts-based prevention program. Guided by mentors including Rosie Batty, the young people use creativity to challenge the social pressures that fuel gender-based violence, showing the powerful impact of prevention ‘in action’.

It Starts With Us is a powerful illustration of the vital role young people can play in shaping safer futures, and how Australia can shift the dial on the family violence issue, by focusing on and investing in effective prevention approaches.

Hear from the experts

Following the screening, an exciting panel of speakers will explore the critical role of working with young people on evidence-based prevention to end family violence within a generation:

Bailey and Xiao

Hear from two young people from Frankston VIC, about navigating identity, creating inclusion, and the value of brave creative spaces for young people. Xiao and Bailey have been participants in Big hART’s Project O prevention program for 3 years, and their stories feature in It Starts With Us.

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine

Unpack how an evidence informed approach is key to ending domestic family and sexual violence in a generation with ANROWS CEO, Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine. ANROWS' research shows that children and young people experience domestic, family and sexual violence in complex and direct ways. Yet too often, systems respond to the adults around them, while overlooking their voices, agency and needs.

Jodie Belyea MP

Jodie Belyea MP is a proud Frankston resident and the Federal Member for Dunkley. She has 30 years’ experience working in the community sector working with Anglicare and Family Life supporting the delivery of services to women and families dealing with domestic, family violence and sexual abuse. Jodie has been on her journey of recovery from domestic, family violence and sexual abuse since the age of 16, which led to her founding the Women’s Spirit Project in 2018. Jodie is deeply committed to preventing violence against women, young people and children and ensuring recovery programs that enable people to thrive in-spite of their lived experience exist in communities.

Hon. Ged Kearney MP.

Ged Kearney is the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and the Federal Member for Cooper in the Albanese Labor Government.

She has served in the parliament since March 2018, when she was first elected in a by-election. Ged has previously served as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Skills.

Before politics, Ged worked as a nurse for two decades until becoming the Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation in the early 2000s. She later became the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) – the peak body of the Australian union movement. At the ACTU she led campaigns for better pay and conditions for workers; including the campaign for 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave.

With more panelists to come.

Light lunch will be provided.