Safety & Equality: The justice system's role in addressing violence against women

Hear from Lauren Callaway, Nicole Lee and Dr Helen Szoke, as they discuss critical safety and equality issues in Victoria’s legal and justice system.

The interactive panel discussion will explore:

• Gender inequality in legal and justice workplaces
• Barriers to justice for victim survivors of gender-based violence; and
• What we can do to bring about change

The presenters:

Lauren Callaway | Assistant Commissioner Family Violence Command, Victoria Police

AC Callaway has been with Victoria Police since 1994, with a career that has spanned operational duties, special projects, strategy development and leading education and training in specialist areas. Lauren Callaway began her role as AC Family Violence Command in 2020.

Nicole Lee | Family violence survivor and passionate public advocate

Nicole Lee has played a major role through her past appointment to Victoria’s first Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council. Lee, who also uses a wheelchair, focuses on family violence perpetrated against those who have a disability, or who depend on carers or family members for support. After suffering a decade of abuse at the hands of her former husband, Lee now uses her lived experience of family violence to speak out for those who don’t yet have a voice.

Dr Helen Szoke | Reviewer, Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts

Dr Szoke has had a career spanning community, health, education, regulation and international development. Helen was the Chief Executive of Oxfam from 2013 to 2019. Prior to this appointment, she served as Australia’s Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner and as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner. In 2018, Helen was awarded an Order of Australia (OA) for distinguished service to social justice through roles with human rights, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity organisations.