Over 400 leading international experts, survivor advocates, researchers, frontline practitioners and policymakers will gather in Melbourne for the inaugural International Freedom from Sexual Violence Summit for a three-day event examining how Australia can better prevent and respond to sexual violence.
Hosted by Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic), the summit runs from November 4 to 6 at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, bringing together over 100 global and local speakers to challenge established thinking, share evidence and identify opportunities for meaningful change.
The summit, the first of its kind in Australia, is a sellout. This interest underlines the growing recognition of sexual violence and the sharpened expectations of what governments, institutions and communities can do.
“Pornography, the manosphere, AI, social media, the ability to stalk and harass victims online – these are huge challenges on top of already increasing sexual violence in our community. We are up against the tech-bros, failure to prioritise funding for specialist sexual assault services and a history of putting victims survivors last,” says SASVic CEO Kathleen Maltzahn.
Among the themes to be explored are sexual violence and the justice system, preventing harm to children and young people, First Nations and multicultural community responses, technology-facilitated abuse, the experiences of older women, people with disability and people from LGTBQIA+ communities, and the role of education, workplaces and public spaces in prevention.
The summit will also examine the experiences and perspectives of survivors, the evidence behind interventions and the challenges of translating research and advocacy into practical change.
International contributors include Professor Fiona Vera-Gray of London Metropolitan University and Professor Carlene Firmin of Durham University in the United Kingdom, alongside Australian researchers, specialist service leaders and survivor advocates.
Actor, author and advocate Madeleine West will serve as summit MC. Other featured speakers include survivor advocate Dassi Erlich, gendered violence and workplace harassment advocate Brittany Higgins, Associate Professor at Curtin University and Kurin Minang human rights expert Hannah McGlade and Professor Michael Salter of the University of New South Wales.
The event is open to people working in specialist sexual assault services, survivor advocacy, education, research, business and government, as well as others committed to preventing sexual violence.
