Voices Unsilenced
People who use violence and abuse know the power of humiliation and may go to great lengths to control and silence the people they have violated. Knowingly or not, people working in services and systems can be used by perpetrators of violence and abuse to extend their control and impact on the victim.
Explore below insights and efforts of people with lived experience who are informing social and systemic change.
Campaign: ‘Can’t Buy My Silence’ (CBMS)
“Prof. Julie Macfarlane and Zelda Perkins have joined forces to create CAN’T BUY MY SILENCE after their own shocking personal experiences exposed the harmful use of NDAs."
The misuse of non-disclosure agreements is perpetuating the problem of discrimination, misconduct and crime. This is a shared challenge and all of us need to play our part.
The short animation above has been co-developed with CBMS and funded by Insight Exchange. (Animation developed with Guy Downes)
Find facts, resources and guidance at www.cantbuymysilence.com.
The dilemma of disclosure (sexualised violence) and the problem of non-disclosure agreements.
The University of Sydney Law School and Insight Exchange collaborated to host a virtual event with author of ‘Going Public’ Distinguished Professor Julie Macfarlane.
In Part A Julie Macfarlane, author of ‘Going Public’ shares her lived experience insights including disclosure and navigating the justice system. In Part B Julie Macfarlane shares her international work to prevent the problematic use of non-disclosure agreements as a toxic bargain that conceals violence and abuse. Event engagement: 160 individuals attended Part A and 147 individual attended part B of the event. Of the 280 individuals booked in the event 115 distinct organisations were named in the registration bookings. View the breakdown of registered organisations (at a sector level) here.
Explore more examples of victim-survivor led initiatives
With you we can
'With You We Can is a victim-led network demystifying the police and legal processes for victims of sexual violence while working to improve them. Uniquely informed by both sector and lived expertise, we want victims for whom it is safe to report to be empowered to do so, and for all victims to be informed of their options.'
Explore more about With You We Can
Grace Tame Foundation
"Lived experience informs structural and social change." Grace Tame.
Australian of the Year (2021) winner Grace Tame helped lead the fight to overturn a law preventing sexual assault survivors from speaking out.
Explore the work of the Grace Tame Foundation
The decision to tell someone about lived experience of violence and abuse can be ongoing, long sighted, spontaneous, accidental, a wanted or unwanted necessity, or a combination of these things, and more. (Excerpt Insight Exchange reflection resource: Talk)
For some victim-survivors, words to describe experiences and insights are expressed through and featured in poetry. These words may be shared openly, or in de-identified ways or held in private. Below are two de-identified examples. In response to these donated poems, original artworks have been created by collaborating artist Louise Whelan (below).
