Workshop on preventing sexual violence

Campaign for Consent Hamilton is holding an interactive sexual violence prevention workshop in Hamilton next month, together with Te Ohaakii a Hine— National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAHNNEST).

The workshop will bring together people who specialise in the complex and sensitive matter of preventing and responding to sexual violence.

The Hamilton event is one of a nationwide series being organised by TOAH-NNEST in partnership with Injury Prevention Aotearoa.

During the morning, TOAHNNEST will introduce a 12-point prevention tool for practitioners.

Leading the discussions will be TOAH-NNEST primary prevention co-ordinator Rachel Fabish, Melanie Calvesbert of the Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation Wellington and Rachel Harrison, a service leader with Child Abuse Prevention Services Hauraki, who also runs the child-focused Right2BSafe Campaign.

Attendees will have an opportunity to talk about what they do, and more importantly, how they do it. It’s a chance to share sector knowledge across areas of education, survivor services and the treatment of harmful sexual behaviour.

“During the workshop we will be challenging assumptions, particularly about the use of services from within minority communities,” says Anjum Rahman, one of the Campaign for Consent Hamilton organisers and a trustee of Shama Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Centre.

The workshop is co-facilitated by Rebecca Fraser, manager of Single Parent Services Waikato and community advocate for LGBT issues.

“We’ll be looking at how we can be more inclusive when we deal with clients, exploring misconceptions and looking at different perspectives on preventing sexual violence.”

The free workshop will be held at the Purdie Hall, The Link, corner River Road and Te Aroha streets, Hamilton from 9.30am-4pm on Friday, June 3.