Setting the Stage: Developing a Resource for Creating Safe Events
Tracks
Room 1 : In-Person and Online
| Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
| 8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
| Room 1 |
Overview
Ellie Woods & Amy Thompson, The University of Queensland
Speaker
Miss Amy Thompson
UQ Respect Senior Research Officer
The University Of Queensland
Setting the Stage: Developing a Resource for Creating Safe Events
8:55 AM - 9:15 AMBiography
Ellie Woods
Sexual Misconduct Prevention Educator
The University Of Queensland
Setting the Stage: Developing a Resource for Creating Safe Events
Abstract
Recent evidence and media coverage has highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence at social events, particularly music events, sporting events, and events within university contexts.
The 2021 National Student Safety Survey identified that, in a university context, 26.7% of respondents who had been sexually assaulted in the last 12 months, reported that at least one of their experiences of assault occurred in a student club/society event or space.
With this considered, it is critical that event organisers have the tools to embed gender-based violence prevention strategies into their events planning processes.
In 2023, through collaboration with a student society, staff within UQ’s sexual and gender-based violence prevention program – UQ Respect – developed a Creating Safe Events guide, which provides a framework for embedding trauma-informed principles into events planning processes. The principles and tools included in the guide have also been embedded into UQ Respect’s workshops for student leaders.
In this session we will explore the process of developing the safe events principles included in the guide and training, along with ways in which the principles could be applied across a range of contexts, including non-university contexts. We will also highlight the unique opportunity presented by certain events to influence community attitudes towards gender-based violence, and to raise awareness about pathways to support for people experiencing DFSV.
Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on ways in which they can embed trauma-informed events planning principles within their work, whether it’s planning a meeting, conference, networking event, workshop or community event.
Key Learnings:
1. understanding trauma-informed events planning principles.
2. understanding how to translate and apply trauma-informed principles to a range of event types and contexts.
3. identifying the link between trauma-informed events planning and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The 2021 National Student Safety Survey identified that, in a university context, 26.7% of respondents who had been sexually assaulted in the last 12 months, reported that at least one of their experiences of assault occurred in a student club/society event or space.
With this considered, it is critical that event organisers have the tools to embed gender-based violence prevention strategies into their events planning processes.
In 2023, through collaboration with a student society, staff within UQ’s sexual and gender-based violence prevention program – UQ Respect – developed a Creating Safe Events guide, which provides a framework for embedding trauma-informed principles into events planning processes. The principles and tools included in the guide have also been embedded into UQ Respect’s workshops for student leaders.
In this session we will explore the process of developing the safe events principles included in the guide and training, along with ways in which the principles could be applied across a range of contexts, including non-university contexts. We will also highlight the unique opportunity presented by certain events to influence community attitudes towards gender-based violence, and to raise awareness about pathways to support for people experiencing DFSV.
Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on ways in which they can embed trauma-informed events planning principles within their work, whether it’s planning a meeting, conference, networking event, workshop or community event.
Key Learnings:
1. understanding trauma-informed events planning principles.
2. understanding how to translate and apply trauma-informed principles to a range of event types and contexts.
3. identifying the link between trauma-informed events planning and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Biography
Ellie Woods holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne, with additional qualifications in responding to sexual violence. She has experience working with young people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, and has undertaken research exploring risk factors for elder abuse in aged-care settings. Ellie works in the University of Queensland's sexual and gender-based violence prevention program, UQ Respect, as the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Educator.
