Open invitation to lived experience victim-survivor advocates
Would you like to contribute to early intervention awareness resources on coercive controlling behaviours?
I am in the midst of developing an online toolkit that can be used by individuals, community organisations, schools, youth centres and women’s or student groups (any group really!) to develop coercive control awareness initiatives in their own communities. This toolkit will be available via a link on my business website (and other websites to be determined) and is absolutely free to use. This project is possible due to funding I have received from the Stella Giles Award.
Awareness raising means making people conscious about a problem or issue – in this case I have chosen coercive controlling behaviour in the context of domestic and family violence. I believe this toolkit will make coercive controlling behaviour more visible across communities, and is an early intervention strategy that works to prevent it from occurring.
I am using information and evidence from research but for it to be relatable, real and impactful, it needs to be reflective of real-life experiences of coercive control by women who have experienced it.
In my practice, I have come to recognise that the lived experience of victim-survivor advocates is crucial to inform, influence and advance work in the domestic and family violence sector. I believe every individual brings a different set of knowledge and experiences to a conversation which is why I am reaching out to others.
I am also a victim-survivor but I am just one voice. Therefore, I am looking for enthusiastic and passionate lived experience victim-survivors to advise me during the development stage of these awareness resources that focus on early signs and tactics of coercive control.
Does this interest you? If so, read on.
What’s involved?
· You will provide feedback, suggestions and advice on the activities chosen for the toolkit during development phase
· You will review the content in the draft resources and offer feedback and recommendations
· You can engage in two ways:
1) Through a private & confidential Facebook group page, where I will share links to my database of resources and ask questions and get your opinions.
2) Connect with my scheduled Zoom meetings to discuss content – for those who prefer a face-to-face discussion. These will be short chats (30 minutes) and will be scheduled on a regular basis.
**You will need to be on Facebook and have a computer or phone that can connect to a Zoom meeting (if you wish to participate in the Zoom meetings).
Participation is voluntary and women can withdraw any time they like.
The toolkit resources are currently being developed and I estimate input from lived experience women would be required for a three-month period between 1st September to 30th November, 2022.
Confidentiality is assured at all times within the group discussions.
What will you get out of it?
Everyone who participates will be provided with opportunities to provide feedback on key resources that aim to raise awareness of the issue of coercive controlling behaviours. This can be very rewarding and give women a sense of agency, control and empowerment. It can be quite powerful to use your experience to help others.
It is important to me to acknowledge those who help me in this project and I would like to do this when the resources are launched (I am aiming for November 2022, during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence). However, any acknowledgement will only be done with your permission and I acknowledge some women may wish to not be acknowledged.
Who am I looking for?
As domestic and family violence and coercive control is predominantly perpetrated by men against women in the context of intimate partner violence, I am seeking women with lived experience to assist me with this project - any age, culture, ethnicity – you are most welcome.
LGBTIQA+ folks are also welcome to participate; I would appreciate your views so my resources also reflect the ways coercive control impact the folks in your communities.
Although I live and work in Western Australia, I welcome anyone from other states and territories in Australia to participate. The diversity will ensure a much better-informed toolkit.
I am aiming to have a group of approximately 10 women for this advisory group.
Self-care for you
Doing this type of work can be rewarding but it can also be emotionally challenging. This may be more so for those with lived experience of domestic and family violence, and coercive control, especially if it has been a recent experience.
Anyone is welcome to participate, but please employ self-care and let me know if you need support. I will be offering regular check-ins to make sure you are ok and link you to support services or crisis phone numbers.
How do I join the lived experience advisory group?
Just send me an email at hello@theorangestory.com.au with your name and a short paragraph on why you would like to be involved. I will reply to all enquiries and those who are selected will be emailed and further information provided on how we will communicate.
I do believe early education is a key strategy to prevent domestic and family violence and coercive control. I hope you can work alongside me to make this resource something that really does make a difference for women of any age.
Warm regards
Daphne 😊