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Speaking Out Program: Advocacy to end Family Violence and Sexual Assault

The Speaking Out program ensures that the voices of women who have experienced family violence and sexual assault are heard through the media and public events. Led by Women’s Health East, in partnership with the Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA) and the Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS), the program seeks to influence a change in community attitudes and to promote the prevention of violence against women.

Why?

Violence against women is serious and prevalent in all communities, and it is preventable. Advocates have extensive knowledge and insight about the experience and impact of violence. Advocacy is a powerful tool to provide information and education to a broad and diverse audience and is an effective and safe way to prevent violence against women.

Request an Advocate Form

2018 Speaking Out Advocacy Flyer

Established in 2011, the program’s main objectives are:

  • To provide opportunities for women who have experienced violence to undertake advocacy;
  • To recognise the importance of women’s voices and ensure that the voices of survivor advocates are heard;
  • To contribute to a more accurate, sensitive and gender equitable public discourse on violence against women;
  • To contribute to changing community attitudes and behaviours towards violence against women.

The Speaking Out program provides an opportunity for the community to hear from women survivors of sexual assault and family violence and to learn about the role we can all play in ending violence against women in our community.

2014_WhatWeDo_EMAP_Chance-to-speak-out

Survivor advocates can share not just their own stories of survival but can provide insight and expertise on how we can as a community prevent violence against women.

Our advocates can:

  • Provide personal insights on the impact of sexual assault and family violence
  • Challenge commonly held beliefs around sexual assault and family violence
  • Inform the development and review of services and systems, by sharing knowledge and experience of the sexual assault and family violence service sector
  • Inform the development and review of workplace policies, and guide employers and colleagues to support women who have experienced sexual assault and family violence
  • Correct misconceptions and stereotypes about victims
  • Encourage the community to take action to prevent violence against women.

To find out more or to book an advocate for an event or media opportunity, please contact Women’s Health East on 9851 3700 or health@whe.org.au.