Redrawing the lines - Gender Violence, Abuse and Harassment in Sport

What is the role of sport in putting a full stop to sexual, domestic and family violence?

In the wake of recent abuse allegations surrounding sporting clubs and institutes, Full Stop Australia is starting a conversation about what needs to be done to protect the people involved and how we ensure attitudes and behaviours change for the better.

Join key sporting leaders for a conversation about the state of play when it comes to gendered violence in sport, what’s changing, and what more needs to be done.

Panelists include:

David Sharpe: David has 30 years of experience in various national and international law enforcement roles, holding senior positions in a professional sporting code and headed up Australia’s national anti-doping organisation until its move over to Sport Integrity Australia.

He served as a member of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) rising to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. He worked in a number of national and international policing roles including leading the AFP’s National Protection Operations, Serious and Organised Crime Group, Counter Terrorism Unit and Close Operations Support Group.

In 2006 David was seconded to private industry as the Manager for the National Rugby League’s Canberra Raiders, where he was responsible for management of football operations, as well as the design and implementation of education, development, and welfare programs for the National Rugby League.

Tanya Hosch: Tanya Hosch is the General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the AFL. She has a long and distinguished history in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, advocacy, governance and fundraising.

Before joining the AFL as the first ever Indigenous person and 2nd woman in their Executive ranks in August 2016, Tanya was the Joint Campaign director of the Recognise movement for constitutional recognition.

At the AFL Tanya's portfolios include - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, Gender Equality, Sexuality and Gender Diversity, racism and sexism. Tanya is tasked with the implementation of the AFL's enhanced Indigenous strategy, advising the AFL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, maintenance of the Respect and Responsibility Policy, 2017, the AFL's Gender Action Plan and the Gender Diversity Policy.

Tanya is a member of the Indigenous Advisory Group of the NAB and is a Board Director of Circus Oz, and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and was a member of the Referendum Council that led the process and final recommendation that resulted in The Statement from the Heart in May 2017.

Min Coombes: Melinda ‘Min’ Coombes (Cleland) is an Australian Olympian and former elite athlete in 2 sports - Artistic Gymnastics & Freestyle Aerial Skiing. Her athletic career spanned 13+ years.

In her post athletic life, Min has worked in various businesses across the technology industry & is currently a Chief of Staff at Atlassian. Recently, after almost 15 years outside the professional sporting environment she co-founded Athlete Rights Australia - a new independent athlete-led not-for-profit organisation set up to amplify the athlete voice & bring about positive change in Australian sport.

Having suffered emotional & verbal abuse, body shaming, negative weight management practices & medical negligence throughout her gymnastics career, Min nows fights to end systemic abuse, violence, neglect, bullying, intimidation, discrimination, and harassment across the Australian sporting landscape, thereby balancing the power that exists between athletes and sporting organisations.

Adair Donaldson: Adair is the Director of Donaldson Law a firm that specialises in assisting survivors of abuse in institutions. Since 2007 Adair has heavily been involved in advising sporting organisations concerning gender violence and education to address consent, domestic violence and harassment that occurs in sport.

Adair sits on the respectful relationship committee for the NRL and has been instrumental in developing innovative and current resources to address social issues as they occur. His work has taken him overseas where he has worked with Sporting Chance Clinic which is the peak organisation providing consultancy and education to sporting organisations in the UK.

Most recently over the last 12 months he has been at the forefront of advocating for gymnasts, swimmers and other Olympic sports in relation to gender abuse. He strongly believes that more should be done to provide support to our athletes in relation to better reporting processes, better support both during and after sporting careers and better education for coaches, administrators, athletes and parents in relation to gender issues.

This event will be facilitated by Marika Kontellis: Marika has extensive experience in health and social care and is known and recognised for her facilitation and negotiation skills.

She is Manager Training and Professional Services at Full Stop Australia, Director, Zakumi Consulting and Executive Director, WINGS of Hope. Marika has deep and varied experience in professional, representative and community sport as a player, administrator, and supporter.

Her father was an awarded international wrestler, her partner a National Representative for OzTag and her children are involved in state level basketball, tennis and soccer.

More information and panelists to come.

Who is Full Stop Australia?

Full Stop Australia is here to put a full stop to sexual, domestic or family violence through support, education, and advocacy.

Support: offering confidential, trauma specialist counselling for people of all genders who are impacted by violence and abuse, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members.

Education: offering best-practice training and professional services to support safe and respectful workplaces, educational environments, and communities.

Advocacy: encouraging governments, businesses, and communities to make changes to laws, policies, and practices to better prevent and respond to sexual, domestic and family violence.

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