Public Voice and Identity

About this Conversation Café

90 minutes | Conversation-focused | Optional pre-viewing

This February Conversation Café offers a calm, facilitated space to explore questions of public voice, identity and choice.

Many people carry stories shaped by intrafamilial harm, silence or unresolved family dynamics. Some feel drawn to speak publicly, to write, advocate or share. Others feel cautious, conflicted, or unsure whether speaking would help or harm.

This session is not about deciding what you should do.

It is about pausing together to reflect on purpose, protection and choice.

This month's Conversation Café has been shaped directly by reflections shared in our January gathering, where several people named questions about visibility, naming, advocacy and safety.

Rather than offering instruction or solutions, this space invites thoughtful conversation around questions such as:

1. What is my purpose in speaking, if I choose to speak at all?
2. What might it cost me emotionally, relationally or practically?
3. How can I protect myself while still honouring my truth?

The absence of legal process does not make experiences less real, and speaking publicly is never an obligation.

This is not a workshop and not a panel. It is a facilitated Conversation Café, designed to be spacious, relational and respectful of different levels of readiness.

Optional pre-viewing

Registered participants will receive an email one week before the session with optional pre-viewing material to support informed, safe conversation.

Viewing is entirely optional. The session itself will focus on shared reflection and dialogue, not on analysing the material.

Who This Conversation Is For

This Conversation Café may be of interest to:

• people with lived experience of sibling sexual trauma and other forms of intrafamilial harm
• survivors of emotional, psychological or relational abuse within families
• parents, carers and loved ones navigating disclosure or its aftermath
• advocates, writers and educators exploring public voice and identity
• practitioners and allies seeking deeper understanding

You do not need to have attended previous Conversation Cafés to join.

Format and What to Expect

This is a 90-minute facilitated Conversation Café held online via Zoom.

• Participation is always invitational
• Some people come ready to speak, others to listen. Both are welcome
• The space is intentionally not crowded and allows room for every voice
• No pressure to share personal details

This 90-minute Conversation Café follows a facilitated structure that supports safety, reflection and choice, is respectful of time and shared participation, plus allows the conversation to unfold naturally.

Practical Details

Date & Time:

Wednesday 18th February 2026 starting 6:00 AM until 7:30 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (Brisbane time) | UK: Tuesday 17th February 2026 starting 8:00 PM and USA CST starting 2:00 PM.

Check out your favourite timezone converter to see what time that is for you where you are.

Length: 90 minutes
Format: Online via Zoom
Recording: The host records for internal purposes to create an anonymised recap newsletter for participants to reflect on after the event. The recordings are not shared.

A recap newsletter will be sent to participants later in the month.

Safety, Privacy and Agreements

To protect everyone’s privacy and safety:

• No screenshots, photos, ai note taking or participant recordings
• Some attendees may use pseudonyms for legal or personal reasons
• Participant names or identifying details are never shared without consent

Attendance is intentionally limited to keep the space relational and contained.

You are not expected to speak, share or perform. Showing up is enough.

Registration Options

Standard Registration: $40 AUD = $27 USD | £20 GBP | €23 EUR
(Indicative only. Final amount depends on current exchange rates.)

Eventbrite will convert to your local currency at checkout.

Your ticket supports the sustainability of Blue Borage and the care involved in holding these spaces. Eventbrite fees are absorbed so your full ticket contributes directly to facilitation, coordination and follow-up.

Discount options:

• Lived experience community discounts are available through these newsletters: 5WAVES, Blue Borage and IncestAware. Register for those newsletters to view the promocode for each organisation.
• Newcomers may use NEWCOMER26 for a 10% discount for your first event.

About Blue Borage

Blue Borage creates trauma-aware spaces for conversation, learning and reflection. Our Conversation Cafés bring people together from around the world to explore complex topics with care, choice and respect for readiness.

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