DVassist hosts free workshops focusing on ideas and solutions to prevent DV

Developing ideas and solutions to prevent domestic violence before it starts will be the focus of special workshops in Kalgoorlie-Boulder next week. Coinciding with this year’s 16 Days in WA campaign, DVassist will offer workshops on Tuesday as part of its professional development and training program for people living in regional, rural and remote WA. Community members, organisations and workplaces are being encouraged to attend the free collaborative sessions, which DVassist chief executive Ella Ailenei hoped would contribute to reducing family and domestic violence in the region. “Our morning workshop will focus on bringing a range of people and workplaces together to brainstorm initiatives that can tackle the underlying drivers of gender-based violence,” she said. “Having people that represent different cultures, backgrounds, working environments, and industry sectors come together to discuss fresh ideas and concepts can result in actions the whole community can participate in.” Ms Ailenei said people who attended the morning workshops had the option of registering for the afternoon session to work in a small group to develop their own primary prevention messaging. “We are encouraging small groups either from the same organisation or from organisations working on a common message to attend the afternoon session which will concentrate on action and ensuring that participants have tangible plans to take away and build on in their own workplaces,” she said. “Primary prevention can be undertaken by any organisation across a range of settings and our workshops will demonstrate that everyone can play a key role in driving change when it comes to family and domestic violence.” Both DVassist workshops are free and open to government, agencies, local government authorities, and organisations operating in the community services, sport and recreation, education and early learning sectors. “People attending our workshops are encouraged to wear orange which has been adopted around the globe as an optimistic colour representing a violence-free future for girls and women,” Ms Ailenei said. “We may be meeting in a remote city, but embracing orange on the day shows we are part of the worldwide movement against gender-based violence.” The workshops will be at the Goldfields Women’s Health Care Centre, with the first session taking place from 9am-noon, followed by lunch and networking, and 45-minute individual sessions scheduled between 1pm-4pm. To register, email ceo@dvassist.org.au.