Why we should talk about this

ABC Brisbane Radio’s Loretta Ryan will host a discussion with community and university experts about the prevention of domestic and family violence on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

They will discuss the prevalence and impact of gendered violence in the community and how bystanders can play a role in recognising and preventing this behaviour.

Vanessa Fowler — Director of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation

After Allison’s death in 2012, her sister Vanessa has supported her parents in raising Allison’s three young daughters and has been driving The Allison Baden-Clay Foundation which aims to educate people on the signs of domestic and family violence and empower them to help prevent these situations.

The Allison Baden-Clay Foundation was developed to create a positive legacy in memory of Allison Baden-Clay, who was murdered by her husband.

Nina Viljamaa – Regional Supervisor — Queensland Probation and Parole

Nina has worked within the criminal justice sector for the past 12 years. During this time there has been an observable and significant increase in the number of domestic violence related issues and ashift in the way this complex issue is managed within the community corrections environment.

Nina has a history of trauma which commenced in early childhood and an understanding of how trauma can influence decisions throughout an individual’s life time. Seeking to protect the community and enable change was a key influence in Nina’s choice of study at university and subsequent career pathway.

Shaan Ross-Smith — MATE Bystander Program Director

Shaan has spent 16 years working with prisoners though her various managerial and director roles with Queensland Corrective Services. Shaan chose to diversify this experience in 2014 to work with victims/survivors at the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre. Shaan’s passion for ending gender-based violence saw her make the transition to MATE where she can focus on primary prevention, after years of working in the response phase. Shaan holds postgraduate qualifications in psychology and is the Chair of the Board at DV Connect.

Professor Patrick O’Leary — Professor of Social Work, School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith Criminology Institute

Professor O’Leary’s is an internationally recognised researcher with significant expertise in domestic violence/gender-based violence (focus on perpetrator programs), child protection in Australia, child protection in social development and humanitarian contexts, social work, long-term impact of child sexual abuse (especially in men), and socially excluded young people.

Professor O’Leary has published in high-quality journals as well as reviewing extensively for journals. His work has influenced international domestic violence and child protection policy and practice.

Recently Professor O’Leary was commissioned as an Expert Academic Advisor to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse with a particular focus on male victims and the long-term effects. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow with UNICEF’s Office for Research.

Professor Paul Mazerolle Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education and Law)

As Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Mazerolle has lead the transformation of the Arts, Education and Law Group, which reflects a high-performing and high-achieving academic community that includes world-class scholars and creative thinkers, high demand academic programs, impressive students and distinguished alumni.

Since 2014 Professor Mazerolle has led and chaired the Griffith Integrity 20 Summit, an annual event that brings together world experts to examine and debate a range of integrity issues associated with many of the most pressing issues facing contemporary society.

Register to be part of the audience

WHAT:Why Do We Need to Talk About This?

WHEN:Tuesday, August 20 5.30pm-7pm

WHERE:Queensland College of Art Lecture Theatre, 226 Grey Street, South Bank

Media Contact: Deborah Marshall 0413 156 601