On the eve of the United Nations’ “16 days of Global Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” (25 November – 10 December 2022), Nicholes Family Lawyers and The Making Corporation were honoured to sponsor a screening of family violence awareness-raising film “The Fort” in Melbourne last night (23 November 2022).
Set in regional Victoria, the feature length film “The Fort” tells the story of a mother and son living with family violence. The movie addresses wide-ranging themes including physical, emotional and financial abuse, coercive control, patriarchal masculinity, survival tactics, shame and the cycle of abuse through generations. Please note that “The Fort” contains images and storylines that some viewers may find distressing.
“The Fort” was produced by Australian television presenter and designer Shaynna Blaze, who, along with Neva Morrisey, has co-founded and launched Voice of Change, a primary prevention charity that uses the arts to advocate a whole-community approach to eliminating family violence.
Voice of Change believes that everyone has a role to play in the prevention of family violence, and that meaningful education and conversation about family violence is key to bringing about change. “The Fort” is the first project for Voice of Change.
The evening, which was co-hosted by Nicholes Family Lawyers and Voice of Change, also included a discussion of family violence, with speakers including Shaynna Blaze, Nicholes Family Lawyers Managing Partner Sally Nicholes and Victims of Crime Commissioner Fiona McCormack, with CEO and Founder of executive search, leadership advisory and management consulting firm The Making Corporation Hayley James as master of ceremonies.
As part of her response, Commissioner McCormack praised the makers of “The Fort” on their impactful use of the arts to help combat and prevent family violence.
Nicholes Family Lawyers congratulates Voice of Change for their incredibly important work and thanks everyone who attended the event, which was held at Village Cinemas Crown Melbourne.
For more information about:
- “The Fort” movie – https://www.thefortmovie.com/,
- Voice of Change – https://voiceofchangeau.org/,
- Victims of Crime Commissioner – https://www.victimsofcrimecommissioner.vic.gov.au/, and
- the United Nations’ “16 days of Global Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
There is never an excuse for any form of family violence.