GCA-DV & SOS Medical Events launches the 2011 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference to be held at Seaworld Resort in Gold Coast, Australia

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, January 17, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Global Coalition against Domestic Violence (GCA-DV) in cooperation with SOS Medical Tourism & Events launches the 2011 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference to be held in Gold Coast, Australia at the Sea World Resort on May 17-19, 2011. The overwhelming response for the first round of Call for Papers clearly signals the greatness of the need to have these once tabooed issues brought out-in-the-open. More than 90 % of the submitted papers are from community based organizations, wishing to share their successes in programs implemented in the eradication of domestic violence issues within their communities. It's great to see the support of both government and community based organizations and the quality and wide diversity of submitted and suggested topics surely contributes to the great success of the event.

Within six weeks of first publishing the event, we've received in excess of twenty papers from every states and territory. Ms. Maria Liza Acabo Edubas stated that, 'numbers are filling fast and we encourage anyone who wishes to attend the conference to register as soon as possible. We have structured the registration in such a way that will save organization's money while at the same time providing a great forum for frank and open discussion. The quality of both papers and programs put forward to be included in the conference were astonishing. We're basically working non-stop just to keep up with the inquiries even during the holiday break and at present, we're updating the conference website with the speaker's profile.' She added, 'We're already receiving requests to open the second and final round of submitting papers which will close on Australia Day, January 25, 2011. Because of the number of papers submitted, extra workshops and sessions will more than likely be added.'

One of the featured speakers is Ms. Kimi Alcott, a Wiradjuri woman born in Wellington NSW who is the Cultural Coordinator of Enough is Enough Anti Violence Movement Inc. Kim specialises in Domestic Violence, Resilience and a program called "Your Life Your Responsibility'. Kim is also an Aboriginal Artist and utilises her artistic skills to develop her "Silent Anger" program for young people in detention. Kim will share her story of experiencing domestic violence and sexual abuse as a child, then again as an adult where she suffered horrific physical abuse, torture and emotional abuse. Kim will be highlighting her resilience as she moved from Victim - Survivor - Thriver and encourage others to move forward and follow her footsteps from violence to a brighter future.

In addition to the featured speakers and after due deliberation, the following presenters and their respective papers had been accepted to present during the 2011 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference:

Ms. Wendy Lawrie, Coordinator of Aboriginal Women's Education co-presenting with Mr. Dominic Guerrera, Coordinator of Aboriginal Men's Education of Shine SA

Mr. Graeme Pearce, Manager of Cross Border Programs, Alice Springs

Ms. Mary Eatts, Project Worker of Aboriginal Women Against Violence Project co-presenting with Dr. Margot Rawsthorne, Senior Lecturer of Community Development, University of Sydney

Mr. Deon Davis, Team Leader co-presenting with Ms. Shyvonne Foggitt, Koori HACC worker, Aunty Rhoda Green, Community Elders and Aunty Rosina Woods, Community Elders of Koori Unit Peninsula Health, VIC.

Councillor Elizabeth Re, Custodial Inspector of Custodial Services Office, Perth, WA

Elder Dawn Trevorrow, Service Community Promoter of Roma Mitchell Community Legal Centre Inc.

Ms. Alana Moffett, Aboriginal Community Worker of Aboriginal Women's Health Service Centre for Women's Health, The Benevolent Society

Ms. Marianne Atkinson, State wide Coordinator of Indigenous Family Violence Strategy, Department of Human Services co-presenting with the Chairperson of Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group

Janelle Cribb, Project Leader Homelessness, Family Violence & Child Services, Department of Human Services co-presenting with Mr. Phil Cooper, Community Development Officer Victorian Aboriginal Community Service Association Limited (VACSAL) and Mr. Hughie Pepper, Case Manager of Latrobe Community Health Centre

Ms. Nicole Cassar, Koori Family Violence Court Support Program of Magistrates Court Vic

Mr. Randal Ross, DV Victim: The Impact of Oppression On Mighty Warriors: See What I See
of James Cook University in Queensland

Furthermore, we are pleased to confirm the participation of the event's international guest speakers from New Zealand, Ms. Brenda Campbell of Napier's Women Refuge whom will be presenting with a Maori co-worker. They will be presenting an interesting paper on how domestic violence programs are run in both the Maori population and mainstream society in New Zealand. Moreover one of the unique attractions of this conference is that Sea World Resort, the conference venue has offered a free 'Shark Bay Experience' for the delegates of this event. This will be a great way to start the morning and a unique experience for the participants. Moreover, GCA-DV offers free online membership for those who are interested in becoming a member of the Global Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

It is so pleasing to see both government and non-government organizations participating in choosing the agenda and as delegates as well. For after all, the global domestic violence coalition network is about sharing of information on successful domestic violence programs existing and being implemented all over the world and encouraging inter-agency networking either at a local, state, national or in some cases, internationally.

For more information or to register, please visit the event and network's website: http://www.ica-dv.webs.com, http://www.domesticviolenceconference.net