Elevating

Children's Voices

In Family Violence Services Forum

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KEY DETAILS

Tuesday, 10th October 2023 | 9:00 am - 5:00pm

Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne | 328 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC

Thank you to everyone who attended Elevating Children's Voices. 

Share your feedback by filling out our attendee survey and sign up to our email list by scrolling to the bottom of this page and clicking the 'Newsletter Sign Up' button.

ABOUT

Are you concerned about the wellbeing of children exposed to family violence?

The unique experiences of children and young people in the context of family violence are often overlooked, which can impact negatively into their future.

How can we shift attitudes and behaviours to centre their voices? What are the programs that are leading change, and how are they working?

Learn from experts in the field of family violence, while contributing to this incredibly important conversation.

  • Hear from renowned speakers
  • Attend panel discussions
  • Engage with family violence experts
  • Explore cutting-edge research
  • Discover practical tools and techniques

ABOUT

Are you concerned about the wellbeing of children exposed to family violence?

Elevating Children's Voices will be a valuable day of insight, learnings and networking for those engaged in:

  • social work
  • youth work
  • youth mental health
  • family violence support & prevention
  • public service
  • youth advocacy
  • youth mentorship 
  • youth support service
Register
Elevating Children's Voices will be a valuable day of insight, learnings and networking for those engaged in:

HEADLINE KEYNOTE

Matt Brown | She Is Not Your Rehab

We are honoured to be hosting Matt Brown, published author and co-founder of She Is Not Your Rehab as Keynote Speaker at this year's Elevating Children's Voices in Family Violence Services Forum. 

An anti-violence movement which hosts free men’s anti-violence support groups, She Is Not Your Rehab has seen global success. Alongside his wife Sarah Brown, Matt works to eradicate domestic violence by supporting those who perpetrate violence, to heal.

A survivor of family violence and childhood sexual abuse himself, Matt originally started his domestic violence advocacy work by sharing his story with the men who frequented his busy barbershops. He saw connecting with men in this relaxed setting as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection. Matt believes his true calling lies in his work to redefine societies view of masculinity, and to help end the cycle of domestic violence plaguing families all over the world.
 

HEADLINE KEYNOTE

Matt Brown | She Is Not Your Rehab

HEADLINE KEYNOTE CONT.

For over a decade Matt has hosted free men’s anti-violence support groups from barbershops, construction sites, gang pads, prisons and in indigenous spaces. He has facilitated multiple programs inside men’s and youth prisons and was named a Corrections New Zealand patron in 2020. 

Since 2018, Matt and his wife, Sarah have partnered with the NZ Ministry of Social Development as ambassadors for their ‘It’s not OK Campaign’ and were funded to develop and launch an app, InnerBoy, to promote accessible healing for indigenous men. The couple are proud ambassadors for the work of Aviva Families, a family violence service centre in Christchurch, New Zealand and for MATE, a program that sits within a domestic violence research department in Griffith University in Australia.

Matt and Sarah released their first (now best-selling) book in 2021 – She Is Not Your Rehab to encourage intergenerational healing. Matt became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022 and was also awarded a Commonwealth Points of Light award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

HEADLINE KEYNOTE CONT.

Hear from thinkers, policy makers, and practitioners working for the betterment of children and young people.

EVENT PROGRAM

Updated 3 October 2023

Morning
SESSION 1: Engaging Men
Doors Open
9:00am
Coffee and tea on arrival.
Event Begins
9:30am
Forum MC Kids First Australia CEO Aileen Ashford welcomes attendees.
Welcome to Country
9:35am
Welcome to Country facilitated by Wurundjeri Council elders.
Official Opening
9:50am
The Hon. Vicki Ward MP, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence presents her opening address.
Keynote Presentation | Q+A
10:05am
Matt Brown of She Is Not Your Rebab shares how he is helping men change cycles of family violence.
Morning Tea Break
11:00am
Serving light refreshments.
Midday
SESSION 2: A Child-Focused Family Violence Response
Caring Dads Canada – Pioneering Child-centred Family Violence Responses
11:35am
Caring Dads pioneer Dr. Katreena Scott discusses how this innovative intervention is fostering healthy fatherly connections globally.
KODY Program – Working With Fathers at the Intersection of Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse + Family Violence. What’s Working?
12:10pm
Reps from Kids First, Odyssey House and Uni Melb discuss how the KODY project tackles complex challenges for the betterment of children and young people.
Caring Dads adaptations – Cultural and Military Settings
12:40pm
Sarah Green, Kingston Military Resources Centre; Abir Al Jamal, Muslim Resource Centre
Men as Role Models program
12:55pm
Lindsey Hogg, Program Manager, Connections, Whitelion Youth
Event Sponsor Presentation: OurFamilyWizard
1:25pm
Kids First is proud to partner with OurFamilyWizard, an innovative tech solution offering co-parents a safe, secure way to share parenting responsibilities.
Lunch Break
1:30pm
Enjoy a selection of lunch options while networking with event attendees.
Afternoon
SESSION 3: Voices of Children and Young People
Research Discussion | I believe you: Children and young people’s experiences of seeking help, securing help and navigating the family violence system
2:20pm
Prof. Kate Fitz-Gibbon discusses her research paper, and how we can do better to centre the experiences of children and young people.
Children’s Voices for Change: A Rights-Based Approach to Supporting Children Victim-Survivors
3:05pm
Lawyer and academic Dr. Georgina Dimopoulos will share emerging findings from her research into rights-based approaches to supporting children and pre-adolescen...
Panel Discussion | Are Children at the Centre of our Current Family Violence Responses?
3:35pm
Panel Discussion facilitated by Jacinta Parsons featuring Tania Farha, CEO of Safe + Equal; Lauren Callaway, Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police; Kelly St...
Event Closing Remarks
4:30pm
Words from Commonwealth Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin to close.

CONTACT

For all event enquiries

Contact Hitomi Sanders, Events & Fundraising Lead

[email protected] | 0402 157 536

For all media enquiries

Contact April Chaplin, Communications Lead

[email protected] | 0428 123 578

CONTACT

REGISTER

Ticket Information

  • General Admission
    $220 AUD
  • Student Admission
    $99 AUD

FAQs

UPDATE: We have now reached capacity for this event. To join the waitlist, email [email protected] with the subject 'ECV Waitlist' along with your full name and best contact number.

Is this event accessible?

Yes! The venue features accessible walkways and bathroom facilities, and a Closed Loop system will be active for people with hearing aids.

Once you have received your emailed emailed ticket confirmation, please use the attendee information link within the email to add/update the accessibility requirements for you and/or other attendees.

If you have unique needs you'd like to discuss, please email [email protected] or call (03) 9450 0900.

Are early bird discounts available?

Early Bird priced ticket allocation has now been exhausted.

Do you offer discounts for students?

Yes! Please select the Student option when registering for the event. You will be required to a copy of your valid student ID.

How secure are my credit card details?

Kids First takes the security and privacy of your personal information, including credit card details very seriously. Our credit card provider never stores your credit card information, only using it to process your transaction. Our provider possesses a PCI certification which ensures the security of card data through a set of requirements, including installation of firewalls, encryption of data transmissions and use of anti-virus software. 

If I book my ticket online, how do I collect it?

We will mail you a copy of your ticket to the email address you supplied during the purchase process. If you require a hardcopy ticket, please forward your ticket confirmation to [email protected]

Where can I review my registration information?

Your registration information will be included in your emailed ticket confirmation. If you haven’t received this within 24 hours of your ticket purchase, please check your junk folder. Not there? Please email [email protected] and we will locate it.

Can I buy a ticket at the event?

As there is very limited ticket allocation for this event, we highly recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment. In the event we do not exhaust our ticket capacity prior to the event, we will announce available tickets via our social media channels. Best to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter to be the first to hear.

Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Absolutely. Simply email [email protected] and include:

- your ticket number (found in your purchase confirmation)
- your full name
- the full name you'd like to transfer the ticket into

and we will action this and confirm the transfer via return email. 

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about attending?

Regrettably, we will not be able to offer refunds for changes-of-mind.

If the event is cancelled, how do I obtain a refund?

In the unlikely event we have to reschedule the event, we will email you to offer the option of a full refund, or transfer of your ticket to the new event date.

If we have to cancel the event entirely, we will automatically refund your purchase amount using the credit card details you purchased with.

I can’t pay by credit card; is there an alternate payment method?

Absolutely. If you’d like to pay by direct deposit to a bank account, please email [email protected] and we will gladly organise this for you.

I have dietary requirements; can you accommodate me?

Our team will do their utmost to cater to all allergies and food intolerances. 

Once you have received your emailed emailed ticket confirmation, please use the attendee information link within the email to add/update the dietary requirements for you and/or other attendees.

Is there a dress code for the event?

As this is a professional forum, we suggest smart casual attire.

Where can I find information about the agenda and schedule?

You can find all information about the forum, including timetabling information, by scrolling above.

What parking arrangements are available at the venue?

The venue for the event, and our preferred accommodation partner, The Rendezous Hotel is affiliated with secure parking located at 300 Flinders Street.

  1. Collect your parking ticket on arrival at the parking garage.
  2. Before returning to your car, attend reception and advise you attended the forum.
  3. You will receive a flat rate of $25 all day / per exit. Payment will be taken at hotel reception, and you will be given a voucher to use to exit the car park.

I am coming from interstate. Where should I stay?

The venue for this event, The Rendezous Hotel offers 20% off available room rates for forum attendees. 

Once you have booked your ticket/s, you will be emailed a link and the promo code to use to book your accommodation. 

If you cannot find this link and promo code after your ticket purchase, please email [email protected] for us to re-send you this information. 

Alternatively, there are myriad hotels and motels within walking distance for you to choose from.

Where do I go to check in?

There will be a registration desk set up at the entry to the venue. Our friendly staff will be there to supply you with a copy of the day’s timetable and answer any questions you may have.

Who is Kids First?

Kids First is a proudly independent child and family services provider and early education specialist. A purpose driven organisation, our vision is for all children and young people to thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities. Learn more.

Is Kids First an ACNC-registered charity?

Kids First Australia is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) and eligible tax-deductible donations have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Tax Office.

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