Free webinar: Understanding family violence
21 May 2025
Over the past year, Victorians have witnessed an alarming number of high-profile incidents of family violence. How can we understand these incidents and respond appropriately, as a sector and in the community more broadly?
Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) has prepared a Family Violence Position Paper to support RAV’s workforce and leadership, as well as those outside our organisation and those working in non-family violence specific programs, in their understanding of family violence, its causes and consequences, and approaches to prevention.
We are hosting a webinar on the Position Paper, to provide attendees with the opportunity to learn more about this complex problem. Research and subject matter experts will provide an overview of key issues and flashpoints in discussions about family violence.
Date: 17 June 2025
Time: 2pm
About the presenters
Dr Genevieve Heard, Manager Research
Dr Genevieve Heard has led multiple research projects at RAV, particularly relating to outcomes of post-separation dispute resolution services, and technology use in post-separation parenting. Gen’s earlier research concerned patterns of family formation and dissolution. She has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited Family Formation in 21st Century Australia (2015).
Alyson La’Brooy, Manager Family Violence Services
With nearly two decades of experience in the family violence sector, Alyson has led high-risk programs spanning wide geographic regions, coordinating initiatives that involve multiple organisations. She has contributed to sector and system-level reform through active involvement in peak body leadership groups and collaboration with government, helping to shape strategic policy and service development. Alyson has also overseen significant transformation across numerous organisations, aligning services with evolving practice standards and community needs. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership and supports best practice to ensure meaningful, evidence-informed outcomes.