We are the experts! An event for victim-survivors of FDV - Women Only Session

Alison Scott, Founding Director of Kwobap Consultancy and Co-Chair for the National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Lived Experience Advisory Council is hosting a free workshop for people with lived or living experience of Family and Domestic Violence (FDV). This event acknowledges that people with lived experience of FDV are experts and have a valuable contribution to shaping service delivery.

This workshop will give community members an opportunity to share what was helpful for them, what wasn’t and any outstanding services or programs they have been involved in. This information will be collated into a summary report available to community, Ministers, service providers and peak organisations across Australia.

The event will commence with a heartfelt Welcome to Country. Morning tea will be provided during the session.

Special Guests

We are excited to announce Micaela Cronin, National Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, as well as members of the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches will be joining us for this special event.

A briefing on the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches and the National Lived Experience Advisory Council will be given at the end of the session.

Who should attend

Women who have experienced FDV are welcome. This event is for people 16+ years old. We ask that children over a year old are not brought to the session. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to come and respectfully share their thoughts on their experiences accessing services aswel as reasons for avoiding services.

Community members who do not work in a support service are strongly encouraged to come along. This event is an opportunity for people who don’t usually have an opportunity to speak up and share their thoughts on what could be done better to be heard. People with lived experience of FDV that work in the sector are very welcome to attend as community members and are asked not to attend on behalf of or representing their agency.

We want to make sure you can participate in the best way possible. If there is anything we need to do to ensure that please call Renee on 9420 7264 at the Centre of Women’s Safety and Wellbeing to discuss.

Media may attend this event. If they attend, they will only be speaking to event organisers and guest speakers. They will not be present during the session when community members are sharing their experiences. Community members safety is taken very seriously. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak with Renee.

What is involved

This event is for women only. It will be a workshop where participants will have an opportunity to share in small groups what was helpful for them, what wasn’t and any services or programs they have been involved in that have been outstanding.

Participants will have an opportunity to move to different groups which interest them.

** A men only session is being held in the afternoon.

Support on the day

We understand that sharing your experience can be upsetting. If anyone needs support during the session a counsellor will be available on site. Information on support services will be available on the day with participants encouraged to reach out if needed after the session.

What will happen with the information

A publicly available summary report will be written by Kwobap Consultancy detailing what has been heard. The summary report will be shared via email with participants, sent to the WA Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence the Hon. Sabine Winton MLA and WA Peak family violence organisations to share amongst their members.

Additionally, opportunities to advocate on issues discussed at this event will be explored further as part of Alison Scott’s ongoing role as a state and national FDV lived experience advocate and expert.