Nela Kalpic’s Post

The wisdom that was shared in the three opening keynotes on Day 2 of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse conference will stay with me. They made me look to outcomes. I visualised how powerful it would be if we had a room put aside afterward for every person in the audience to contribute to an action plan, and for each of the 250+ attendees to choose and take one baby step before lunch. Actions focused on what we do want, or as Micaela Cronin shared, towards speaking up as one voice for children. I pictured the sharing of who to write to, sharing of links to the right people, to send off a letter or emails, use connections, or get on the radio… what action would be in service of outcomes vs leaving the conference full of amazing insights and perhaps action focused on what we don’t want? The theme of the three keynotes was: Why do children and child sexual abuse get forgotten in systems reform? Children are often overlooked and decision-makers focus on broader issues or adult-centric solutions, missing the unique and critical needs of children. The wisdom and experience shared came from Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner; Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner; and Catherine Liddle, CEO SNAICC I wrote down the words ‘2,600 generations’ amongst my notes. Conscious that the room was full of change makers, mostly western society, struggling to reduce the harm being done to all children, I felt these leaders’ wise words, and saw possibilities if, as Catherine said: Shared decision making makes a difference. When it’s done differently we get different outcomes, better outcomes, for children. I share this as post-conference thoughts today. These leaders and many other leaders and people in that auditorium are far more experienced, immersed in and taking actions every day. It was just me visualising the power of that collective energy and baby steps towards what we do want, being a 3VQ baby-step action kind of facilitator I am.

How do we ensure individual accountability at the same time as we address the structural drivers of men’s violence against women? There is no easy answer but it is a question we must grapple with.

*Content note: Gender-based violence, violence, childhood trauma* To effectively prevent men's violence against women, we need well-funded, holistic prevention AND response measures - strategies that both, hold the individual to account, and address broader systemic and structural issues. In this video, our Founder Dr. Emma Fulu and Director of Brand and Communications Domini Marshall discuss grappling with the need to hold space for both accountability and empathy, to better understand and prevent the critical problem of men's violence against women. Emma shares more from her research on pathways to perpetration, stressing the need for prevention strategies to also consider experiences of intergenerational and childhood trauma in men who go on to perpetrate violence. Emma's study 'Partners for Prevention': https://lnkd.in/gGEJcfi8

We are excited to share that we will be having a 2-day in-prison event as part of our 16 days Activism against gender-based violence. This initiative aims to empower incarcerated women who have experienced the trauma of gender-based violence. By providing trauma-informed care, we can help these women heal from past wounds, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and break the cycle of violence. This workshop will offer participants the opportunity to learn about the impact of trauma, develop self-awareness, and acquire essential skills for building healthier relationships. Through this workshop, we hope to foster a sense of community and support among the participants. By creating a safe and understanding environment, we can encourage open dialogue and promote empathy. This will enable participants to share their experiences, learn from one another, and develop a stronger sense of self-worth. Ultimately, this initiative aims to contribute to a more just and equitable society by empowering incarcerated women to become agents of change and break free from the cycle of violence. We believe that by investing in the rehabilitation and well-being of incarcerated women, we can reduce recidivism rates and create a safer community for everyone. UNODC #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #traumainformedcareworkshop #mentalwellness #survivorsofgbv

Did you know that JFS offers a discreet haven for Jewish women experiencing abuse? Shalom Bayit, meaning "peace in the home," provides compassionate, confidential and anonymous support for women navigating the complexities of abuse. Whether it's verbal, emotional, physical, financial, sexual or spiritual/religious abuse, the program stands as a pillar of support. Here's what makes Shalom Bayit shine: 🤝 Comprehensive Support: From crisis counseling to long-term therapeutic sessions, Shalom Bayit offers a range of services tailored to each woman's journey. 🔍 Advocacy and Awareness: Our dedicated counselors not only provide support but also advocate for our clients' rights and raise awareness about intimate partner abuse in the community. 📈 Growing Impact: Last year, Shalom Bayit counselors supported over 40 clients, marking a remarkable 40% increase from previous years. In a world where every voice matters, Shalom Bayit stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring that no woman faces abuse alone. Let's continue to spread awareness and support those in need.

🚨 Global estimates suggest that more than half of the world’s children aged 2-17 experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse during the past year, and that 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 live with a mother who has experienced intimate partner violence. We know that violence against children and violence against women are intimately connected in many ways - yet we don't know enough about what interventions can help prevent both of these forms of violence. This is why we partnered with the World Health Organization and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) to ask policy makers, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from 50 countries: What kind of knowledge could help us simultaneously reduce violence against children and women and respond to survivors’ needs❓ Find out more about the shared global research agenda and the research priorities identified, here: https://uni.cf/43ijmpv Avni Amin, Elizabeth Dartnall, Claudia Garcia Moreno, Floriza Freire Gennari, DrPH, Anik Gevers, and Alessandra Guedes. #endviolence

Inspite of the fact that most programs and strategies working to end VAC and VAW have mostly developed separately, recent reviews and analyses have identified various intersections between VAC and VAW including: co-occurrence, shared risk factors, similar underlying social norms, common consequences, intergenerational effects, and the period of adolescence as unique period of heightened vulnerabilities to both types of violence. Accordingly, addressing the intersections between VAC & VAW is considered essential for a more effective prevention and response interventions.

Understanding the magnitude of the problem is only the beginning. We also need to know what works to stop it. Today, I delivered an update at the Clinton Global Initiative on our 2023 commitment to launch the #SafeFuturesHub - Solutions to End Childhood Sexual Violence. The Safe Futures Hub is not just another project. It’s a promise that the best, most up-to-date, evidence-based solutions from around the world are within reach for every leader, decision-maker and community for prevention, healing, and justice. In partnership with WeProtect Global Alliance and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), the Safe Futures Hub will soon unveil a global review of evidence to show what truly works to keep children safe.  This is not just another report. This is a roadmap for change. The evidence we’ve gathered will shape the way forward, providing strategies that can be implemented to protect the most vulnerable among us. Thank you for being part of this movement. Together, we can make a difference and bring change and hope to children around the world. #ViolenceIsPreventable

Join Katherine B., Dr. Zac Seidler and I as we talk through the new Commonwealth focus on early intervention programs for traumatised boys as part of a holistic approach to the prevention of gender-based violence - November 6, 12 - 1pm. It is well documented that the impacts of childhood adversity, for some boys, increases aggression and violent behaviour, including in family and intimate relationships. Recent research finds that perpetrators of domestic violence with childhood trauma histories have more misogynist views than perpetrators without trauma histories. We have been championing the cause that "recovery is prevention" for survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence, and this is just as true for child survivors as it is for their mothers. All children deserve care after abuse, and restoring boys to a healthy developmental pathway is effective at interrupting the intergenerational transmission of perpetration. It is fantastic to see the importance of supportive interventions for abused boys being recognised by National Cabinet, although we must also address the under-funding of care for abused and traumatised girls.

The team leading ‘Learning from victims and survivors about what helps disclosure and responses to child sexual abuse’, has just published their literature review in Child & Youth Care Forum.   The National Centre funded project, led by Professors Lynne McPherson and Anne Graham, AO from Southern Cross University, aims to empower victims and survivors to raise concerns, disclose and seek help.    This review explores barriers to, and facilitators of, disclosure amongst children and young people, centring the voices of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and mobilising lived experience to drive improvements in policy and practice responses.   With the knowledge gained from this crucial research, we can better understand and respond to disclosures of child sexual abuse, creating a future where victims and survivors are supported to heal.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gdzjg2wy   #hereforchange #livedexperience #research