Panel Discussion: Towards a Fit-for-Purpose Service Delivery in Support of a Better Mental Health Outcomes for Children Experiencing Family Violence.

We are delighted to be hosting a panel discussion on the findings from our research 'Living Through Family Violence in Australia: An Integrative Literature Review of Children's Mental Health Outcomes," which we recently published in Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice.

Join us for this panel discussion focusing on what needs to be improved in advocacy and services for children at risk of or experiencing domestic violence. Our aim is to engage in dialogues that will lead to policy evaluation and the redesign of fit-for-purpose programmes and services that can meet the needs of children who are often overlooked as victims of domestic violence.

Special Panel Guests Include:

Caroline Mc Guinness

Founder| Empowering Leading Women & We Hear You -The WHY Campaign

Caroline Mc Guinness is a passionate advocate for human rights and injustice, including a long-term commitment, to see an end to fatalities directly related to domestic family violence through, primary prevention awareness, advocacy, education and collective collaboration and to see a positive organisational change for social workers in the workplace is to co-design and embed well-being, self-care policies and practices to transform the work environment. With a background in child protection, domestic, family violence and community development, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing clients, fellow professional social workers on the frontline. Current expertise in behavioural science attachment theory, trauma-focused interventions, solution focused approaches to name a few, with families, youth, and women across the lifespan. Her passion and focus on person-centred care and advocacy to create and hold a safe space for others is at the heart of who and what she does. Caroline is a dynamic coach, mentor, and speaker. She is purpose-driven with the desire to positively impact and help transform the lives of others. She has worked with many women and men but is particularly passionate about women's empowerment and how she can inspire them to be an active role model for change.

Dalal Smiley

CEO|Wellsprings for Women, Melbourne

Dalal holds a Masters in Public Policy and Governance and a post graduate Certificate in Business Management. She worked in local, state and federal governments and the not-for-profit sector. In 2009, Dalal won a scholarship from the Emergency Services Foundation. In 2001, Dalal was appointed as Victorian Multicultural Commissioner till 2005 and in 2016 was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from Deakin University for her contribution to the development of equity and social inclusion in Victoria. In March of 2017, Dalal was appointed as the CEO of Wellsprings for Women, a neighbourhood house and Learn Local. Wellsprings has an embedded family violence case management service designed to meet the needs of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds impacted by family and domestic violence.

Manal Shehab

CEO|Sisters 4 Sisters, Melbourne

Manal Shehab identifies as a migrant, Muslim woman. She is a psychotherapist who works with marginalised communities to find their voice, process and work through life challenges, as well as navigate our complex community services sector. Manal runs various workshops and has extensive public speaking experiences on many issue, some of which are: family violence awareness, prevention & responding to disclosures; women's rights in Islam; Intersectionality and the dismantling of systemic and institutional barriers faced by marginalised women; as well as women's self-growth workshops. Her passion and dedication in serving victim-survivor's has led her to establish Sisters4Sisters Support Services in 2018. Since then, she has tirelessly supported marginalised women to access services and find the support they need to manage life's challenges. On top of this, Manal is currently a consultant with WIRE Women's Information as well as a family peer worker at SHARC Family Drug & Gambling Help. Manal sits on various multi faith committees that address family violence in faith settings. Manal is the author of the publication called "The Faith Leader's Practice Guide and Toolkit on Preventing and Responding to Family Violence" which she authored on behalf of State Government Victoria.