Faith, Hope and Love

Patty Kinnersley is the CEO of National DV Prevention organisation: Our Watch. She is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. Patty will be speaking about the work that our Watch has done in identifying the faith sector as one of the key next frontiers in our national goal to prevent violence against women. Her keynote session is titled: Hopeful frontiers in the work of preventing violence against women

Dr Michael Flood is a Professor in the School of Justice at QUT. His research agenda includes interpersonal violence and its prevention, engaging men in violence prevention, men, masculinities, and gender justice. He has published on best practice in primary prevention, how to engage men in violence prevention, factors shaping violence-supportive attitudes, young people’s experiences of violence in their relationships and families, youth and pornography, and other issues. His keynote is titled Hope in the midst of violence – What we know about perpetration and its implications for prevention. Dr Flood will also present a workshop- scroll down for more details

Dr Leisa Aitken is a clinical psychologist whose recent PhD investigated theories of hope across the domains of psychology, philosophy and theology. Leisa will be speaking on the difference that Hope makes. Her keynote presentation is titled: What difference does Hope make? Psychology and theology in conversation. How can the gospel of hope help those impacted by domestic and family violence. Lisa will also run a practice workshop on pastoral care: “lending hope when it is short supply.” Scroll down for workshop details.

Gershon is the Director of Common Grace, a national Christian social justice organisation that seeks to inspire and equip christians to make a difference in our nation. Gershon has a proven passion for Jesus and justice. He is well known and deeply respected across the Christian social justice and aid sector in Australia, having worked for more than 15 years in advocacy, policy and research, as well as leading and growing grassroots movements to campaign on issues of social justice. Gershon will speak about Engaging with Hope and Grace: How churches can be community advocates in the prevention of violence against women

Alexander Dentener is the Prevention Coordinator for communities at The Men's Project, part of Jesuit Social Services. Alex's focus is on working with men around their ideas, relationships and motivations to create a healthier community and challenge inequality. Alex will be speaking on The Man-Box research project: a comprehensive study that focuses on the attitudes to manhood and the behaviours of Australian men aged 18 to 45. Surveying 3,500 young men, the project explores the association between attitudes to masculine stereotypes and the behaviours of men aged 18 to 30. His keynote presentation applies these findings to the faith sector and is titled: Hope and the Man Box: what we are learning about men, masculinities and prevention of violence against women.