Lunch & Learn - Understanding and recognising Modern Slavery and support pathways for survivors

NIFVS Lunch & Learn events will continue to be delivered as free sessions throughout 2026 to strengthen the practice skills and confidence of professionals to safely and effectively respond to family violence.

This Lunch and Learn will be delivered by Kate Stewart and Anushri Baksi, Specialist Practitioners (Modern Slavery) with the Additional Referral Pathway (ARP) at The Salvation Army.

ARP will provide an introductory overview on forms of modern slavery that are criminalised under Australian Commonwealth legislation, including slavery, trafficking, and slavery-like practices.

The session will also explore the prevalence of modern slavery in Australia, indicators that may suggest a person is experiencing modern slavery, and the support pathways available to survivors.

Through an interactive case study activity, participants will apply their learning in practice. By the end of the session, participants will understand the forms of modern slavery, be better equipped to identify indicators that a person they are supporting may be experiencing modern slavery and gain an awareness of consultation options and referral pathways for support.

Following a presentation, participants will have the opportunity engage in a Q&A.

Presenter Bios:

Anushri is a Specialist Practitioner (Modern Slavery) and Social Worker located in NSW.
Anushri has a background in psychology and industrial relations, with specialist experience in modern slavery assessment and slavery safehouse accommodation support, workplace exploitation, complex psychosocial assessment, and the intersection of family and domestic violence.

Kate is a Specialist Practitioner (Modern Slavery) and Senior Social Worker located in Victoria.
Kate has a background in forensic behavioural science, and specialist experience in the modern slavery, forensic mental health, community mental health, dual-diagnosis and family violence sectors.

Who should attend?

Lunch and Learn sessions are designed for both specialist and non-specialist family violence practitioners under MARAM, with particular focus on professionals who may want to learn more about navigating family violence risk in their roles.

Please register by Friday 13 November to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Lunch & Learn sessions are informed by your input. You can email us your recommendations at nifvs@whin.org.au

Acknowledgment of Country

The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide our services – the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation – and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. NIFVS acknowledges that Aboriginal sovereignty was never ceded and expresses hope for justice and reconciliation.