Jolene Ellat is Director and Founder of the Domestic Abuse Resource and Training Group (DART Group) and the CEO of DART Institute.

Jolene is a domestic family violence (DFV) and sexual violence specialist with over 15 years of experience. She provides research, workforce development consultancy, professional training and supervision for government and non-government agencies and community groups. She provides policy and practice expertise in prevention, early intervention, perpetrator intervention, supervision and trauma recovery. She has a special interest in cultural diversity and competency when working with families from diverse backgrounds.

During her early career, Jolene worked with family law services in coordinated response and managerial roles. She provided women’s advocacy across Western Australia, conducted clinical interviews and wrote forensic reports to the Department of Justice.

Jolene is experienced in perpetrator intervention research and training. She facilitated and coordinated the Connect and Respect, men’s behaviour change program for the Department of Justice. She worked with peak bodies implementing the COVID-19 response (funded through the Department of Communities’) to ensure perpetrator visibility across Western Australia throughout COVID-19 and into economic recovery.

Jolene has a track record for leading multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approaches to FDV intervention. Recently, she conducted research into supporting the Family Domestic Violence Response Teams (FDVRTs) and facilitated cross-sectorial professional development with Police (WAPOL), child protection and the Coordinated Response Service (8 specialist sector agencies).

As a leading Safe and Together trainer, Jolene has personally delivered CORE training to over 600 practitioners across Australia. She has also designed and delivered professional training in prevention, early intervention, tertiary intervention and perpetrator intervention for the Department of Communities, Justice Department and WA Department of Health. Jolene has also customised programs such as supporting children recovering from FDV and FDV informed practice supervision training. She designs and delivers a series of webinars across Australia.

Jolene has an impressive academic and research record. She has led national projects, including the evaluation and recommendations towards the ACT’s Family Violence Safety Action Pilot. Jolene is an active contributor to academic publications. She presents nationally and internationally at conferences and is invited as a guest speaker on live panels.

Jolene is well qualified with a Bachelor of Arts Education/Psychology from Edith Cowan University, A Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Studies and Human Rights from Curtin University; a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from Notre Dame; and a Professional Certificate in Childhood Trauma from the University of South Australia.

Ms Kati Kraszlan has been the Commissioner for Victims of Crime in Western Australia since August 2020. Before taking up this post she spend many years in the Department of Justice where she was part of the design and implementation of both the Drugs court and the Joondalup Family Violence Court. Also while in Justice, Kati delivered the international award-winning West Kimberley Regional Prison. She has also worked extensively in the private sector. Whilst Acting Commissioner from 2017 She was active in developing new legislative responses to family violence and intimate image based abuse in Western Australia. Kati has a strong commitment to research and the need for research to be the vehicle which underpins changes to policy.

Sabine was first elected to Parliament in 2017, as the Member for Wanneroo. During the 40th Parliament, she was a member of the Education and Health Standing Committee and served as Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Sabine was re-elected in 2021 and appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations. As part of this role, she was the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre project.

In December 2021, she was additionally made the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development; Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Science; Commerce.

In December 2022, Sabine was elevated to Cabinet as the Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services.

Prior to entering politics, Sabine was a teacher for 27 years and taught in various locations across Western Australia including Fitzroy Crossing and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. More recently, Sabine held the position of Primary Extension and Challenge Coordinator (PEAC) with the Department of Education from 2005-2017, where she also achieved the status of Level 3 classroom teacher.

Sabine attended Wanneroo High School and remains a long-time Wanneroo local, where she raised her three daughters.

Professor Victoria Hovane is a Ngarluma, Jaru, and Gooniyandi psychologist from Broome in the Kimberley region of WA. She is an experienced consultant and practitioner having worked in various legal, social welfare, justice, and research roles over the past 42 years. 

She is an Adjunct Professor at the Law School, University of Western Australia and specialises in addressing the cultural needs of Aboriginal people in various settings including the legal, courts and correctional systems, and child protection. Vickie’s work emphasises understanding, preventing and responding to intergenerational trauma, family violence and sexual assault, and their multiple impacts in Aboriginal families and communities. 

She is currently, and has been at the forefront both nationally and locally, in influencing policy and practice change for responding to Family & Domestic Violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over the past 22 years.

Associate Professor Hannah McGlade is from the Kurin Minang people of Western Australia and her career has focused on justice for Aboriginal people, race discrimination law and practice, Aboriginal women and children, family violence and sexual assault.
Her Ph.D book ‘Our Greatest Challenge, Aboriginal children and human rights’ received the Stanner award for excellence in Aboriginal research.

Hannah has been closely involved in advocating for Aboriginal self-determination in child protection and is a member of the Noongar Council for Family Safety and Wellbeing. Hannah is also appointed to the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues as an expert Indigenous peoples member of the Pacific region.

Recently Hannah has joined the First Nations National Plan Steering Committee as an expert member. In this capacity, she will provide advice on the development of the standalone First Nations National Plan to address Target 13of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020-2030. Finally, Hannah has also been recently appointed to the First Nations Advisory College, as part of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

Professor Victoria Hovane is a Ngarluma, Jaru, and Gooniyandi psychologist from Broome in the Kimberley region of WA. She is an experienced consultant and practitioner having worked in various legal, social welfare, justice, and research roles over the past 42 years. 

She is an Adjunct Professor at the Law School, University of Western Australia and specialises in addressing the cultural needs of Aboriginal people in various settings including the legal, courts and correctional systems, and child protection. Vickie’s work emphasises understanding, preventing and responding to intergenerational trauma, family violence and sexual assault, and their multiple impacts in Aboriginal families and communities. 

She is currently, and has been at the forefront both nationally and locally, in influencing policy and practice change for responding to Family & Domestic Violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over the past 22 years.

Hannah Taylor-Civitarese, a proud Kamilaroi woman, holds a deep hope for First Nations women to be at the centre of coercive control conversations, legislative changes, and reform. Currently pursuing her PhD through the University of Queensland, with experience in international social work, her research centers on the Intersectional factors of Coercive Control for First Nation women in Australia. 

Over the years, Hannah has been privileged to work with First Nation communities in the implementation of health and wellness programs at both state and national levels. 

Her passion for intersectionality has included the award winning 1800RESPECT disability pathways project. 1800RESPECT is the first and only national Telehealth service to be accredited the Communication Access Symbol twice. She is also currently enjoying her role as National Cultural Coordinator for 1800RESPECT. All while juggling being a mother to a vibrant 2 year old and three step children. 

Hannah’s journey began in child protection, where she learned the systemic challenges within Indigenous communities. Motivated to drive change, her commitment to advocacy led her to work with human trafficking task forces in England and the United States, specialising in the rescue and rehabilitation of human trafficking victims. She has also been privileged to have a role in crafting strategies for rehabilitating children involved in sexual offenses. 

Hannah is determined for people to know they always have a hope, they are always valued and they have every right to live free from coercive control.

Alison is a proud Noongar woman who lives and works in Boorloo (Perth) and has family connections across the South West of Western Australia. She is a strong advocate for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence and was appointed the inaugural Co-Chair of the National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Lived Experience Advisory Council in June 2024. As a victim-survivor Alison speaks publicly about her own personal and professional experiences to educate community and advocate for change.

Alison is the Director of Kowbap Consultancy working on projects across Australia. She has over 25 years’ experience in the human services sector, 10 of those in senior level leadership positions in WA State Government. Her experience includes working for State and Federal Government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation’s and the private sector. 

Jill has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) since 2000. Jill is passionate about supporting sector quality, strategies that promote equitable access to services by marginalised peoples, and enabling the translation of evidence into policy and practice. Jill’s work involves advocacy for systems reform that promotes alcohol and other drug use as a health issue.

Jill graduated from the University of Western Australia with first class honours in Anthropology with a thesis on women and drug use. She developed the WA AOD Sector Quality Framework in 2004. This has now been developed by WANADA into an international accreditation standard for the alcohol and other drug service sector.

Throughout her career as a social worker Angela has worked in a broad range of roles supporting families. Most recently Angela has worked as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and a Child Inclusive Practitioner, speaking directly with children and representing their voice in matters affecting their family. Angela is passionate about children’s rights and the work of putting those rights into practice. 

In her current role her goal is to build a service that is safe and inclusive for children and young people, respects their agency in the world, and values their unique journey of healing from family violence.

Rebecca holds a PG Dip in Counselling and BA in Drama and Psychology. She is a current registered member of the Australian Counselling Association. Over the past 10 years Rebecca has worked in both metropolitan and regional areas, which has developed her knowledge and skills in trauma focused therapy, substance use, family violence and child sexual abuse. 

Rebecca is passionate about supporting people in their journey of trauma recovery. In her current role she is supporting the Ovis team by guiding and supervising their clinical practice to be trauma informed, culturally safe and client lead. 

Elizabeth Lang is the visionary CEO of Diversity Focus, a pioneering consultancy championing inclusive workplace cultures with a focus on racial and gender equity. With a background in community development and qualitative research, Elizabeth is a recognised speaker on international stages, including presentations at the United Nations in Geneva.

Holder of a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master of Human Rights, Elizabeth is currently pursuing her doctorate at Curtin University, deepening her understanding of gender equity and cultural diversity. Beyond academia, she advises and serves on various boards.

Globally acclaimed, Elizabeth was named in the 2021 Global 100 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent. She’s received prestigious awards, including the 2023 Business Migrant Award and the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Award for Accelerating Women, highlighting her commitment to advancing gender equity through Diversity Focus.

Pushpa currently leads the Mental Health and Family Domestic Violence services at Ishar, Multicultural Women’s Health Services. Pushpa has a Master’s Degree in Sociology. Pushpa has worked extensively in the NFP and CALD sectors providing frontline services in health, mental health, and family domestic violence arenas. An experienced Client Services and Community Development professional with over 20 years’ experience, Pushpa has a sound understanding of multicultural services delivery and operates within an “Empowerment-Driven” framework with CaLD populations to strengthen their capacity to fully exercise their potential and thrive in the community. In recognition of her substantive experience and knowledge, Pushpa has been nominated and invited to sit on various Advisory/Steering/Reference Groups to provide input as a CaLD consultant and expert.

Wajarri Yamaji woman with ties to mob from Mullewa, WA.
Gemma has worked at Djinda Service for seven years.

Michael Cherry is a Duty Lawyer for Sussex Street Community Law Service. He specialises in restraining order matters for perpetrators in the Shuttle Conference process at Perth Magistrates Court, where he has a special interest in complex cases. Michael’s passion for reducing restraining order breaches was realised in 2022when he co-led and developed a key partnership between Sussex Street and Western Australia Police (WAPOL).

Hannah Taylor-Civitarese, a proud Kamilaroi woman, holds a deep hope for First Nations women to be at the centre of coercive control conversations, legislative changes, and reform. Currently pursuing her PhD through the University of Queensland, with experience in international social work, her research centers on the Intersectional factors of Coercive Control for First Nation women in Australia. 

Over the years, Hannah has been privileged to work with First Nation communities in the implementation of health and wellness programs at both state and national levels. 

Her passion for intersectionality has included the award winning 1800RESPECT disability pathways project. 1800RESPECT is the first and only national Telehealth service to be accredited the Communication Access Symbol twice. She is also currently enjoying her role as National Cultural Coordinator for 1800RESPECT. All while juggling being a mother to a vibrant 2 year old and three step children. 

Hannah’s journey began in child protection, where she learned the systemic challenges within Indigenous communities. Motivated to drive change, her commitment to advocacy led her to work with human trafficking task forces in England and the United States, specialising in the rescue and rehabilitation of human trafficking victims. She has also been privileged to have a role in crafting strategies for rehabilitating children involved in sexual offenses. 

Hannah is determined for people to know they always have a hope, they are always valued and they have every right to live free from coercive control.

Lorraine Keane is the CEO of Holyoake, a leading non-profit organisation that provides alcohol and other drug , mental health counseling and support services. She is also a Non-Executive Director at WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies. She has has over 20 years of experience in the commercial and non-profit sectors.

As a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Leadership WA, Lorraine has a strong background in strategy, leadership, governance, and finance. She has worked across various industries, including aged care, disabilities, arts, and health, and has held executive positions at Screenwest and Senses Australia. Lorraine is passionate about connection and believes that it is essential for human well-being. She strives to create a positive impact in the community through her work at Holyoake and her involvement in the arts and health sectors.

Stephanie Monck is a Kungarakan/Warramungu woman and a recognised Traditional Owner of the Finniss River and Wagait Land Trusts in the Northern Territory. She commenced as the WLSWA Principal Legal Officer in mid-2021. Prior to this, Stephanie was the Principal Legal Officer at Aboriginal Family Legal Services. She has also been a Senior Lawyer at the Department for the Attorney-General and Justice Solicitor in the Northern Territory Litigation Division. Her professional legal career includes government and non-government agencies, private and pro bono legal work across different areas of law, and tertiary institutions. She has practised as counsel in the Children’s Court, Family Court, Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court of WA, Supreme Court of Appeal WA and High Court of Australia.