This is a free event for women aged 16 years and over. All women welcome. Register here

• What makes a woman decide to get out of a bad relationship?
• Why does she go back to an abusive partner?
• How does she mend the trauma her children experience in a domestic violence situation so that the cycle does not continue?

These are just some of the questions we hope to answer at this Women Speak Out Forum. But more importantly, we want to hear from you.

The Facts

We know that 65 percent of assaults recorded in Western Australia last year were related to family and domestic violence and 75% of these were women. Women in our communities face the daily struggle to survive in relationships that are oppressive, abusive and may also be physically and sexually violent. Often women are too afraid or ashamed to share their experiences, so soldier on alone and unsupported. They try to protect their children, putting themselves in the firing line. And sometimes they don't even recognise that the difficulties they are facing are in fact domestic violence, because they have been manipulated to believe they deserve the way they are being treated.

Do you know the signs to look out for? Do you know how to respond and stay safe? Do you know what is available by way of supports for someone in this situation?

This event is intended to give voice to inspirational stories of recovery from domestic violence survivors, to promote a sense of hope for the future but also to shine a light on domestic violence to create awareness. It will also challenge your perceptions of domestic violence through an interactive art display. And will provide a platform for providing the community with education on how to safe in a crisis.

Domestic Violence Survivor, Hayley Solich, shares: "I wish I had known how to stay safe whilst helping my neighbour's wife in a domestic violence scenario. By telling her to get my husband to come over, I unwittingly placed him in the line of fire. Seven years on we are a family still recovering from the trauma. "With two daughters who have also suffered severe drug-fuelled domestic violence at the hands of their teenage partners, I have a growing concern for the safety of young women in our communities. This event is intended to create awareness and to provide some tools for the community to respond positively. It is also hoped that our survivor's stories will offer a beacon of hope for women who may be affected by domestic violence."

Town of Bassendean Feedback

There will also be an opportunity to contribute to providing feedback to local government about what women need to feel safe in our community .Inspirational survivor speakers, an interactive art display, grazing table and refreshments, entertainment and workshop, are just some of the engaging activities that this event offers women in the community.

Key partners in this event are:

• Sisters of Hope, a new charity in Perth that is providing support to survivors of domestic violence.
• First Steps New Directions CEO, Christine Richardson, who will be our guest educator and co-facilitator of our community consultation workshop
• Town of Bassendean, key sponsor
• Golden Pen Communications
• Other Domestic Violence organisations who will be providing information and participation