Join us at the SPARKing Evidence-Based Practice series

This series will delve into the detail of emerging research and unpack what it means for practice in the Domestic and Family Violence, Women’s Health and Wellbeing, and Sexual Violence sector. Facilitated by Dr Karen Struthers, these sessions will be a great opportunity to learn, network, and connect with others within the workforce. Click here to learn more about upcoming sessions, including two Make Healing Happen sessions this July.

Make Healing Happen: it’s time to act

Despite the 1997 Bringing them Home report, the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations, and many other inquiries, there has still been no systematic government response to the needs and rights of Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants.

Survivors and their families have endured a lifetime of trauma, grief, and loss, and as a result they carry a significant burden of health, wellbeing, social, and economic disadvantage. They are growing older, and many live with disabilities and complex health problems, including poor mental health. They have increasingly complex and overlapping needs yet face personal and systemic barriers to accessing services.

The Make Healing Happen report tells policymakers how to restore dignity for those who have suffered and recognises the centrality of self-determination and the strengths of First Nations cultures in healing historical trauma and driving an intergenerational healing movement.

This series will explore what service providers can do to provide trauma-aware, healing-informed support, and what this means for the Domestic and Family Violence, Women’s Health and Wellbeing, and Sexual Violence sector.

Join Rona Scherer and Sammy Leone from WorkUP Queensland, in Make Healing Happen Session 1, as they provide an overview of the report and its key findings. In Session 2, you will be invited to share your thoughts, insights, and ideas in a Q&A session with the presenters.

Event Details:

Webinar to share the research:
Date: Wednesday, 6 July 2022
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (AEST - Queensland Time)
Location: Online
Practice Conversation to unpack what Make Healing Happen means for you:
Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2022
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (AEST - Queensland Time)
Location: Online

We encourage you to attend both Make Healing Happen sessions to get the most from this program.

Who should attend?

Domestic and Family Violence, Women's Health and Wellbeing, and Sexual Assault Workers.

About the facilitator and presenters

Karen Struthers

Karen Struthers will be the facilitator, and at times disruptor, of discussions in the SPARKing Evidence-Based Practice series.

Karen is a researcher, activist, policy enthusiast, and former MP and Minister. Karen has also worked in the Domestic and Family Violence sector. This broad experience means Karen is well placed to spark some great discussions that will be of interest to people working at all levels across the sector.

Rona Scherer

Rona Scherer brings considerable sector development experience from her many and varied roles from within community. Rona is a skilled group facilitator and trainer, and has extensive experience in the design, development, and delivery of training programs. Rona is a trusted advisor to services on culturally appropriate engagement and the development of resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

Recently, Rona’s work has focused on supporting services across Queensland to provide culturally safe and inclusive spaces for First Nations peoples. Rona currently leads a number of projects for WorkUP Queensland, including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentoring program, a community of practice for First Nations service providers, and a collaborative grants program.

Sammy Leone

Sammy Leone brings a broad range of experience across the services sector, including community development, family support, Domestic and Family Violence, youthwork, case coordination, program development, and project management.

Sammy is a respected and trusted advisor providing advice on culturally sensitive issues and working with Elders and the community, education and health providers, and the policing, not-for-profit, commercial, and business sectors.

Sammy is currently working within the Domestic and Family Violence, Women’s Health and Wellbeing and Sexual Assault sector through WorkUP Queensland on strategies to develop the workforce with a particular focus on culturally safe service delivery.