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25.01.2022 In my previous posts, I have introduced Step 1 and Step 2 of the Shark Cage Framework, what I mean when I talk about Sharks & Dolphins and Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage Alarm. This week, we look at what to do if your alarm is letting you know that a persons behaviour or a situation does not feel okay. This is Step 4: Defending your Shark Cage. This step explores what options are available to defend our rights against a threat if it is safe to do so. ... Most of these situations call for an assertive response where you let the person know that you are feeling disrespected. It is important to remember that if you are in danger and dealing with a dangerous white pointer Shark, an assertive response may put you in more danger and you need to do whatever you can to keep yourself safe. If your alarm tells you that you are in physical danger, call 000. In Australia you can call the 1800RESPECT support line if you are not in immediate danger but are wanting support and to know what options you have. These telephone counsellors have been trained in The Shark Cage and can help link you with services to get you to safety and provide you with ongoing support.

24.01.2022 The abuse that continues, post separation, enabled by our legal system is appalling. Lets end this now.

23.01.2022 This is the feminism that is the foundation of the Shark Cage framework. #intersectionalfeminism

23.01.2022 Standing in solidarity with the Young women in Thailand who are demanding that their rights to make decisions about thier bodies and have equal status in public and personal spaces be recognized. #womensrightsarehumanrights

21.01.2022 This is so wrong and must resources must be invested for more rapid change in racist attitudes in our justice system and broader communities. People sometimes think the Shark Cage of Human Right is just for women. Its not. It is based on intersectional feminism which demands that all people be afforded thier human rights and treated with dignity and respect. Here we see people being denied thier human rights due to the colour of thier skin. #aboriginalrightsatehumanrights #womensrightsarehumanrights

21.01.2022 This should be standard for all pubs and clubs.

21.01.2022 This man does not believe that human rights are universal. That every human being in the world is entitled to the same rights. First he displayed his misogyny by targeting high profile women and and inferring that the pandemic of violence against women was made up by feminists. If men were occasionally violent towards women, it should be seen as a coping strategy, he told the world. Now he is taking aim at the transgender community and every young person who may be feeling t...hat their gender doesn’t fit with their biological sex. These young people and thier families need the support of schools and the wider community as they find an identity that feels right for them. A young person who feels thier sex and gender align is not going to be influenced to become transgender by their peers who choose to transition. Or by a school that educates them about these issues. But they may be able to offer support, understanding and a lack of judgement to their fellow student if their school has educated them about the complexities of sex and gender. Please support those peak bodies that have named this bill for what it is. An act that defies anti-discrimination legislation and supports and condones the bullying and alienation of the transgender community. We need to take a stand against people in power who continue to support rigid gender roles and identities, gender inequality and discrimination against women and the LGBTQI+ community. See more

20.01.2022 This is why education about human rights, gender inequality, the harm caused by rigid gender stereotypes and gender violence is so important. The Shark Cage Group Program for young women teaches girls that they have rights and those rights include saying no to any contact that makes them feel uncomfortable and the right to have interests and a career that may not be traditionally feminine. One of the highlights of my life is reading session evaluations by young women who say ...things like: I now know I have a right to say no. I didn’t know that before These statistics indicate there needs to be more programs working with young men to teach them what equality and respectful relationships look like. To help them to understand that dominating, humiliating and controlling your girlfriend is not ‘just what men do’ in order to be issued with and maintain thier ‘man card’. Young men have the power to redefine what it means to be a man. To reject violence, embrace expressing thier feelings and connecting with others and they need the help of older men, schools and the broader community to do this. Violence against women was the pandemic happening in the background before COVID 19. Our government needs to expand rather than decrease funding for education and prevention programs. See more

20.01.2022 Fish: Each fish represents a young woman in the program. The girls start the fish by writing one positive quality they recognise in themselves. The fish are then pinned on their backs and their peers each add a positive quality. When all participants have been written on each others fish, the girls unpin the fish and read the words their peers have added. This activity challenges negative narratives of self and boosts self-confidence.

20.01.2022 The Shark Cage 7-Week Program: Year 9 & 10 students Sharks and Dolphins: The Sharks represent people who repeatably violate your rights. ... The girls identify behaviours that signal that a person may be a Shark. The girls learn how some Sharks can disguise themselves as Dolphins. They learn techniques to identify these impostors. Dolphins are people who choose to respect and support your rights. The bars of rights alert young people to those who support and those who disrespect their rights. All people act like Sharks or Dolphins at times, and students are encouraged reflect on their own behaviour so they can choose to use more Dolphin like behaviours. See more

19.01.2022 Sharing some of the comments facilitators received from the young women who have completed the program, Ursula. If you want to learn more about bringing this program to your students, please send us an email: [email protected]

19.01.2022 Feminism is essentially the belief that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and opportunities. Despite this deceptive simplicity, there are many variations of Feminism. Womens rights are generally moving in the right direction. This brilliant article by Caitlin Moran has many insights - but the one that struck a chord with me is all women (cis & trans) need to support one another. If a womans skin color is different to yours - solidarity not judgement and assumpti...ons should unite you. If a woman makes a choice to use Botox, which you dont agree with - solidarity in womens right to choose. If an old, white woman or a young colored woman, has views slightly different to yours - solidarity and support and walking the talk of intersectionality, is what will protect and accelerate the feminist cause of equality for all. https://www.theguardian.com//caitlin-moran-reread-how-to-b

19.01.2022 In previous posts, I have spoken about the first four Steps in the Shark Cage framework and what I mean by Sharks and Dolphins. This week, we explore further how to recognise Shark and Dolphin behaviours, which is Step 5 in the Shark Cage framework. A Shark is a person who chooses to repeatedly use behaviours that abuse the rights of another in some way to intimidate and control them. Sharks can be male or female, but the most dangerous Sharks tend to be male and they tend... to only use abusive Shark-like behaviours with their female, male, non-binary or transgender partners. The abuse usually happens behind closed doors or as whispered threats in public spaces. A Shark typically violates more than one of the six categories of Human Rights (you can refer back to my earlier posts focusing on Step 2 of the Shark Cage). There are early warning signs of Shark-like behaviours that are likely to escalate into more dangerous behaviours. Jealousy, not respecting your privacy and not wanting you to spend time with friends and family are examples of early warning signs.

19.01.2022 Step 1 of the Shark Cage framework explored how knowledge, and a sense of our Human Rights is built for us by others when we are young (if you havent already, watch The Shark Cage animation pinned at the top of the page for a recap). The Bill of Rights for Women discussed in the animation has been featured in my previous posts and is the foundation of Step 2 of the Shark Cage framework - Renovating your Shark Cage. Each post in the series of 6, focused on a category of Human Rights. This week, I will be introducing the different behaviours of Sharks and Dolphins.

18.01.2022 In this series of posts, I am focusing on Step 2 in the Shark Cage framework: Renovating the Shark Cage. This step helps young women know that they have rights and these rights can be seen as bars in their Shark Cage. Human rights can be thought of as falling into six categories. The last five posts looked at physical, social/technological, emotional, sexual and financial rights. Todays focus is Cultural & Spiritual rights. Women have a right to their own cultural and spir...itual beliefs and to practice these in ways that are meaningful to them. Here are some examples of Spiritual & Cultural rights. What other Cultural or Spiritual rights do you think are important for girls to know? Now we have covered Womens Rights are Human Rights and the general categories these rights fall in. Stay tuned for our next posts which will be looking at Sharks & Dolphins. What are the Dolphin like behaviours that support a persons rights and what are Shark like behaviours that disrespect or violate these rights in some way? #womensrightsarehumanrights #thesharkcage #humanrights #spritualrights #culturalrights #religiousrights

18.01.2022 Important rights that society should ensure are created through collective words and actions to become strong bars in every young womans Shark Cage of human rights. I have a right to safety I have a right not to be sexually objectified I have a right to be treated with respect

17.01.2022 Today is International Day of the Girl. This marks 25 years of the Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action for working towards empowering girls and their rights globally. Progress has been made but we still have a long way to go to achieve equality and safety for young women. On this important day I wanted to share a previous post about the 7 week Shark Cage Program for Young Women which strengthens a girls Shark Cage of Human Rights. Training in The Shark Cage and Facilitating the Shark Cage Program for Young Women will be available in an online format in November and December. Email [email protected] for more details.

17.01.2022 Listen to this amazing woman stand up for her right and the right of every woman to be spoken to with respect. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out Ted Yohos Shark like behavior and the society that is built on beliefs and structures that support inequality and abuse of women. #womensrightsarehumanrights #noexcuseforabuse

16.01.2022 A crucial part of healing is exercising the right to tell your story. Twenty five years of sexual assault counselling has taught me that exposing the irrational victim blaming story of the abuser to the light of day eventually turns it to ashes. Out of these ashes women write thier own narratives and in this process healing happens. For some, telling this story publicly is a powerful part of that healing. No longer keeping secrets. No longer protecting the abuser. No longer holding onto a shame that does not belong to her. How dare our legal system take this away from women when so much has already been taken. #LetHerSpeak #IHavearighttotellmystory

15.01.2022 Some good news! Outcomes like this show that speaking out against an action that infringes on your rights can make a difference. If you feel angry check if it is your Shark Cage alarm letting you know someone or something is threatening one of your rights or boundaries. In this case legislation was threatening womens rights to tell their stories. The action so many took to defend this breach in thier Shark Cage of Rights shows that collective voices for social justice and... human rights are a powerful force that has a capacity to change oppressive systems and processes. #LetHerSpeak See more

14.01.2022 Another razor sharp observation by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighting how women are discouraged from equal participation in public life by being critiqued into submission. Lets name this when it happens and always strive to support girls and women to speak up and contribute thier full potential to the communities that need thier ideas and voices.

13.01.2022 I still remember my frustration as a young girl and avid reader, scouring the school library shelves for books with girls as main characters. I wanted to lose myself in a fabulous story where someone like me was having marvelous adventures. I couldnt find them so I started writing them. The world is made up of a wonderful diversity of children. Children of colour, with disabilities, different body shapes religious, cultural and economic backgrounds or who identify as LGBTQ...I need to see themselves as lead characters in books, films, TV series and everywhere. Lets also remember that the principle of intersectionality means we need to see positive representations of people who identify with many of these groups. No one wants to be invisible. We need to see those we identify with to feel that we are a part of society. Ive loved watching Never Would I Ever recently. Characters from diverse often intersecting groups as the leads being funny, smart, caring, reflective, vulnerable and all it is to be human. They did it so well it was jarring to see them use the greedy, awkward fat kid with no friends trope. Why I ask? Not funny, not necessary and hurtful to every kid out there who isnt the average shape. Everyone matters. Everyone has the right to see respectful representations of themselves. Everyones rights matters. Watch the Shark Cage animation on this page to learn more about intersectionality, human rights and the Shark Cage metaphor. #intersectionalfeminism

11.01.2022 This post builds on the previous post about Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage alarm. All girls and women receive social messages that they must be polite and not risk offending people, no matter what the personal cost to them. The strong message is that not making a scene must come before listening to and acting on your gut instinct that someone is pushing up against your rights. However, every woman can benefit from learning how to be in tune with her body and emotions t...o help her to strengthen and trust her gut instinct about people and situations. Counselling, mindfulness practice, yoga and journaling are just some of the ways that you can work on strengthening your Shark Cage alarm. Can you think of others? (Check out my earlier posts to learn more about Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage Alarm).

10.01.2022 A good guide on what men can do to challenge attitudes and behaviors that reinforce women’s rights not being respected. #womensrightsarehumanrights https://www.elitedaily.com/wom/men-feminist-allies/1531068

10.01.2022 Pictured here are some of the Year 9 and 10 girls who have completed the Shark Cage program for Young Women at a High school in NSW. The seven-session program is aimed at strengthening young womens awareness of their rights and how to recognise when these rights are being supported or disrespected by the behaviours of others. The program also asks girls to reflect on their own behaviour so they can identify when they are, or are not, respecting the rights of others. ... The program ends in the seventh session when the girls build a mural, bringing to life the work they have done together over almost two months. The young women love the creative activities and the opportunities for small group peer discussions about issues that are important to them. They say they learn a lot and have a lot of fun. The mural is built from fish, bars, Sharks, Dolphins and treasure chests. (The next series of posts will look more closely at each of the elements of the mural and how they are used and what they mean.) Ursula

10.01.2022 The bar in peoples Shark Cage of Human Rights, which represents the right to say no to requests, often needs strengthening. This is particularly true for girls and women who are socialized to believe that pleasing other people is more important than any discomfort they may feel. If your Shark Cage alarm, or gut feeling lets you know someones request or actions is pushing up against one of your boundaries, remember you have a right to say no. Respecting a persons right to say no is a Dolphin like behavior. Shark like behavior is repeatedly ignoring a persons wishes and pushing forward with your agenda.

09.01.2022 All women have a right to work and socialize without their bodies being touched without consent. Womens bodies do not exist for mens sexual gratification. Womens bodies are not public property. Womens bodies are not up for grabs, regardless of what they are wearing The fact that this woman was asked in court what she was wearing when the assault occurred shows how far our social attitudes to womens bodies and rights has yet to progress. ... So glad this woman had a strong sense of her rights and knew our legal system should support her rights. The Shark Cage program for young women ensures that young women are made aware of their rights. Thanks to the actions of this woman so many women in her orbit are now aware the actions of this man is a human rights issue. #womensrightsarehumanrights #i have a right to decide who touches me https://www.abc.net.au//sydney-bar-manager-takes-/12566058

09.01.2022 Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. We still have a long way to go. Research tells us that these factors continue to drive violence against women and gender inequality is the foundation on which they continue to survive with each passing generation: 1. Condoning or minimizing violence against women or blaming the victim. 2.Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public life and relationships... 3. Rigid gender roles and stereotyped constructions of masculinity and femininity the idea that women and men and girls and boys should behave in particular ways and live thier life according to scripts written for thier gender. 4. Male peer relationships or ‘male bonding’ that encourage aggression and disrespect towards women. What can you do in your personal or professional life to raise awareness of and challenge these drivers of violence against women? The Shark Cage animation can be used to open up conversations and encourage reflection. It has challenged and changed the views of hundreds of young people in school settings who now have better understandings of gender inequality and gendered violence. Let’s help turn the tide on gendered violence and fight for a society where women can feel safe in personal and public spaces and have equal rights. https://youtu.be/IDfNhN9IvR0

08.01.2022 People who repeatedly disrespect or violate your rights are Sharks. Can you think of some Shark-like behaviours that have pushed up against your Shark Cage of Human Rights?

08.01.2022 Treasure Chests: Young women explore the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping strategies. They chose their favourite healthy coping mechanisms and write them on their treasure chests. The girls enjoy decorating their chests with jewels and stickers. These chests are added to the bottom of the mural as a resource to use in difficult times.

08.01.2022 Next step for humanity is to ensure equal rights and dignity are respected without question - regardless of individual or global fear and anxiety. Lets start compulsory early education about diversity, inclusivity and Universal Human Rights.

07.01.2022 People who respect and support your rights are Dolphins. Can you identify some Dolphin-like actions that have respected and supported your Human Rights?

07.01.2022 Christmas is a difficult time of year for so many women. So much advertising material representing the happy family we all wish we had. If you had an abusive Shark in your childhood family, going home for Christmas can feel fraught. Many survivors feel pressure from other family members to play happy families. Remember that you didn’t choose this situation - you are not being difficult. The person who abused you created this situation. You have a right to feel safe and to say no to spending time with people who have hurt you. If you live with a dangerous Shark but feel pressure to ‘pretend’ everything is okay for Christmas please know that your safety and well-being is more important than anything. If you need support people will be there to help.

07.01.2022 In previous posts, I have explored Step 1 and Step 2 of the Shark Cage Framework and what I mean when I talk about Sharks and Dolphins. This week we look at Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage Alarm. To know if someone is pushing up against our boundaries or bars in our Shark Cage, we need to have an alarm that lets us know something is not right. We have an inbuilt alarm system which is our connection to bodily sensations and emotions. ... Sometimes this alarm can be at a setting that is too sensitive, and it goes off when no threat to your rights is present. Sometimes your alarm can be glitchy and disconnected and not go off when someone is pushing up against your Shark Cage of Rights. If you have experienced abuse in your life, you might recognise these types of alarm reactions that have been impacted by trauma. It is possible to recalibrate your alarm system so it can more accurately let you know when a bar in your Shark Cage of Human Rights is being tested.

06.01.2022 It is best to practice Step 4: Defending your Shark Cage with people who are not currently a physical danger. These people may be a potential Shark that you have decided not to have further contact with because your Shark Cage alarm sounded a warning early in your contact with them. Sometimes a person who sets off our Shark Cage alarm might be a pushy fish who needs to be told where your boundaries are and that you have an expectation that they respect your boundaries. In ...the image below, the young woman holding her phone is telling her friend I saw that you posted that photo of me that I asked you not to. I feel upset when you dont listen to me. I need you to respect decisions I make about stuff that affects me. Practicing assertiveness when it is safe to do so will get easier the more you do it. It will also strengthen the bars in your Shark Cage and increase your feelings of self-worth. Finding a counsellor trained in the Shark Cage can help to support you to do this. See more

06.01.2022 It doesnt matter if he had a bad childhood, if he says his ex was a bitch, if he has mental health problems if he says you shouldnt push his buttons, if he lost his job, if he is battling drug or alcohol problems, was out of his mind with jealousy, couldnt handle the thought of losing you. These are all excuses. Men who hold respectful attitudes towards women do not abuse them. We all have our baggage. You are not his rehab. We all need to take responsibility for our actions. His abuse is never your fault. #noexcuseforabuse #womensrightsarehumanrights

04.01.2022 In contrast to a Shark, a Dolphin behaves in ways that respect and support the rights of others. A Dolphin-like behaviour would be to encourage you to see friends and family and maintain these relationships. In the image below the man is shouting at the woman and telling her she acted like a slut while they were out together. He is telling her if she cares about him at all she wont go out with her friends dancing tomorrow night. He is telling her that his anger is her f...ault for embarrassing him by flirting with other men. Look at the womans facial expression and body posture. Do you think her Shark Cage alarm (body sensations & emotions) is going off? Her frown, folded arms and having her back to the man lets us know her gut instinct is telling her that his behaviour is pushing up against her Shark Cage of rights. She has done some Shark Cage work with a counsellor, and: Step 1 has taught her that a persons abusive behaviour is never her fault; Step 2 has taught her she has a right to be physically and emotionally safe and to have choices in what she wears and who she talks to and how she chooses to socialise; Step 3 has taught her to recognise and trust her Shark Cage alarm. This is their third date. Lily now has all the information she needs to know that this man is a threat to her autonomy, safety and Human Rights. She knows an assertive response is likely to escalate his behaviour because Sharks seldom take responsibility for their actions, preferring to blame others and intimidate them. Just after this photo was taken, she walks out of his house and drives home and blocks him on her phone and all social media. We can see how the Shark Cage framework has helped Lily to identify a potentially abusive person early in their contact. She is able to walk away before feeling trapped in the relationship.

02.01.2022 Janes work is so important. We need to constantly hold the media and individuals accountable for language that reveals harmful victim blaming attitudes. Reading subtle and not so subtle accounts of violence against women that blame the victim works against important changes in social attitudes that need to happen to stop the pandemic of violence against women.

02.01.2022 Stage 4 lockdown in Victoria is designed to keep us safe. And for most of us it will. If you are living with a partner who is a Shark and scares you, this new level of being trapped at home is likely to be making you feel anything but safe. If you need to leave, know that there are services that will be there to support you.

01.01.2022 The Shark Cage 7-Week Program: Year 9 & 10 students Bars: The transparent bars represent human rights, for example, 'I have a right to say no to activities that make me feel uncomfortable'. These bars form a collective Shark Cage of rights surrounding the fish. During the program students learn how to recognise challenges to their rights and how to defend their rights with assertive communication if it is safe to do so.

01.01.2022 Bringing the Shark Cage Program to young women around Australia is my passion. The image showed features year eight students from Nyngan High School who participated in a full day Shark Cage workshop with Mission Australia a few years ago. The day workshop has since been developed into a 7-session program tailored for delivery in school or youth settings.... If you want to learn how you can become accredited to run The Shark Cage Program for Young Women: A Human Rights Approach to Gender Violence & Healthy Relationships in your local school or youth service, send me a message to [email protected] You can read the full article here: https://www.nynganobserver.com.au//girls-construct-the-sh/ Photo: NynganObserver.com.au

01.01.2022 Today in celebration of International Human Rights day we are reposting an animation that creates opportunities for young people to understand and explore Human Rights. Only by educating the next generation can we start to close gaps in equality and create an inclusive, safe and fair world for all.