Velocity Empowerment

In the past week I've attended; Silenced Women at UNSW Universities as Workplaces webinar by Our Watch The release of The Cost by Anne Summers at University of Technology Sydney International Women's Day also at University of Technology Sydney Voices of Change with Sefa at Yirranma Place Some of these have been frustrating, others have been inspiring, but all have been enlightening. Once again I say that education is the answer. If men want to be allies, especially in the fight against sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence, you have to hear from women and their experiences. Stop sitting on the sidelines, get involved, attend events, listen and learn from women, and then ask yourself how to use your power and privilege to make changes.

Women's Lantern is a budding not-for-profit supporting South-East Asian women and children impacted by gender-based violence. It was a pleasure to meet the founder Ratu Nida Farihah and chat about all things charity and social enterprise, how we both left corporate to start impact organisations, and how Women's Lantern and Velocity Empowerment can partner and work together to support young adults. Stay tuned for news in early 2025! If you have an interest and passion for helping South East Asian women, both in Australia and in their countries, please connect with Ratu Nida Farihah

Velocity Empowerment, Belgravia Leisure, and Uniting are partnering to run a low-cost self-defence program for the Ultimo, Sydney area. If you know a stay-at-home mum in the inner city who is in need of some social support and empowerment, please let them know about this. I have over 25 years of martial arts training experience and have developed a program with a trauma-informed and feminist approach to self-defence. If cost is an issue, a payment plan will be offered. Registration link is in the comments.

Thanks to my student design team from University of Technology Sydney and UTS Shopfront Community Program, they delivered a fantastic explainer video about Velocity Empowerment. Stay tuned! If you haven't heard of Shopfront, the program partners charities, social enterprises, and community organisations, with final year students and expert mentors to create various deliverables depending on your needs. I've worked with 3 student groups, and they've created branding assets and guidelines, management consulting reports, and now a fantastic animated explainer video. Check them out if you're a relevant organisation! We are also taking inquiries for diversity shots ;)

Last week I presented to TAFE staff and students for Safety Week. As a martial artist and self-defence expert, this was an opportunity to clear up some myths and misconceptions about learning self-defence and talk about some real facts. 1. Men are more likely to be attacked by a random stranger, whereas women are more likely to be attacked by someone they know. 2. Physical violence is often preceded by non-physical behaviours that if recognised, can preclude the need for physical self-defence. 3. The goal of self-defence is to survive the encounter. This may include fight or flight, but freeze and fawn are also responses that increase the likelihood of survival. 4. If you are ever attacked, it is never your fault, it is always the perpetrator's fault. They made that choice to attack, and if it wasn't going to be you, it would have been someone else. 5. You aren't going to learn self-defence in one session or a few weeks. However, you can learn its principles and then train in a way that you can react instinctively. Thanks to TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus for having me and Velocity Empowerment along for Safety Week. If your organisation is keen to empower its staff/members through holistic self-defence, please message me. #studentsafety #tafe #tafensw #selfdefence #empowerment

Last week I was there to support Rachael Natoli from Lokahi Foundation AUS at the Westfield Bondi Junction Local Heroes awards. As you can see from the number on the cheque, she was the winner! This award is recognition of the impact that Rach and Lokahi has in supporting the women and children of Sydney's East escape domestic violence. Velocity Empowerment is privileged to have Rachael as our lived experience advisor, and I'm privileged to have her as a mentor and personal friend. Please check out more about Lokahi Foundation AUS and donate to support them.

A fortnight ago I was invited to the launch of University of Technology Sydney Polished Champion campaign. This is where the leadership, especially the men, stepped up to get their nails polished and have a conversation about gender-based violence to raise awareness. Despite not being a member of UTS, I am thrilled with the community partnership Velocity Empowerment has built with the UTS Respect.Now.Always team of Catharine Pruscino (she/her), Elizabeth K., and Jemima Tilly. I started volunteering with them in 2023, and over many coffees, it was clear that our values, goals, and outcomes aligned, and it made sense to work together to run programs that empower students and keep them safe from sexual harm. Please donate to Polished Man and funds will be used for their Polished Innovators grants program launching on 24th November 2024, which I will be applying for! https://lnkd.in/gVq-kJ3w Thanks to Georgia Brogan for the pics :)