Workshops

Holding Our Stories, Strengthening Our Shelters: Indigenous Women Leading Change in Safety, Healing, and Knowledge Sharing

Starting the morning with some chair yoga, a panel of Australian First Nations women will bring together Indigenous women leaders, frontline workers, advocates, and knowledge holders to explore the transformative power of culturally grounded responses to domestic and family violence. Centering the voices of those who walk alongside women and children in crisis, the discussion will reflect on the role of community-led shelters, safe spaces, and support services that honour culture, kinship, and collective healing.<br /><br /> Panellists will share lived experiences, research insights, and practice wisdom on what works — and what’s still needed — to uphold the dignity, safety, and sovereignty of Indigenous women. Key themes will include the revitalisation of traditional practices of care, the integration of Indigenous knowledge into service delivery, the significance of cultural safety and self-determination in healing journeys, and the importance of strengthening networks of support through collaboration and truth-telling.<br /><br /> Together, we will explore how stories — when held with respect and purpose — can become tools for advocacy, systems change, and intergenerational resilience.<br /><br /> This panel is an invitation to listen deeply, learn collectively, and support pathways of strength led by Indigenous women shaping a safer, more just future.

Unpacking Technology-Facilitated Abuse in the context of Domestic and Family Violence

This workshop will provide an introduction to technology-facilitated abuse (TFA), including how to recognise it, how abusers misuse technology to harm survivors, and ways survivors can strategically use technology to increase their safety. Participants will gain knowledge about assessing for TFA as well as supporting survivors in developing a safety plan.<br /><br /> Attendees will explore important issues related to privacy, safety, and security and learn approaches survivors can employ to take back control of their technology. The presentation will focus on identifying and assessing for TFA and safety planning around survivor-driven concerns, and is suitable for anyone interested in this topic.<br /><br /> Presented by the National Network to End Domestic Violence with support from the Women’s Services Network.

Advanced Topics in Technology-Facilitated Abuse

This workshop is designed for practitioners who have completed foundational training in supporting victim-survivors affected by technology-facilitated abuse (TFA). It focuses on how perpetrators misuse technology to track their victims, including complex methods such as backend access, geolocation extraction, and stalkerware.<br /><br /> Participants will learn about various types of stalkerware and covert surveillance techniques, including their applications and limitations. The workshop will also cover how forensic digital analysis can help detect stalkerware on devices and how to gather information to support victim-survivors. Additionally, we will explore risks associated with connected cars, privacy concerns, and strategies for victim-survivors to protect themselves against tracking.

Recovery, Healing and Advocacy for Victim-Survivors: Australia’s Specialist Sexual Violence Sector

In this engaging workshop designed for sexual violence practitioners and advocates, you will learn about Australia’s approach to preventing and responding to sexual violence, good practice case studies, and the latest clinical and service insights.<br /><br /> Sexual violence leaders will set the scene from a global perspective then dive into the Australian context, covering topics such as: <ul class="list-disc mt-3"> <li>prevention and response strategies</li> <li>systems and client advocacy</li> <li>services, peak bodies and workforce comprising the specialist sexual violence sector</li> <li>National Standards of Practice that guide the sector</li> <li>specialist services’ work with victim-survivors, families, communities, and children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour</li> </ul>