Dr Kim Vella found herself staring down a very dark tunnel after repeatedly witnessing intergenerational domestic violence among members of her social circle, and the violence was not at all what she thought it looked like.
Dr Vella, an executive coach, was initially deeply shocked. “You always think it is someone else. Someone else is affected, not you. But that is never the case. Domestic violence can happen to anyone”.
In response to this issue Dr Vella built a network, The Network of Possibilities, incorporating exciting philanthropic ideas with socialpreneurs, soulpreneurs and entrepreneurs. All network members share a vision of policy reform and a solid commitment to making a difference in the local and national community surrounding the issue of domestic violence.
A cocktail launch celebration will be held tonight in conjunction with a silent auction at 25 Forster Crescent in Yarralumla, and Michael Costigan, founder and CEO of the Tara Costigan Foundation, will be the keynote speaker. Mr Costigan will be sharing his powerful and personal journey about his niece Tara Costigan who was killed by her former partner in February 2015, just five days after her daughter was born. All proceeds from the launch and auction will be donated to the Tara Costigan Foundation.
Dr Vella is passionately dedicated to the network and says it has “an unwavering commitment to supporting the urgent work being done nationally and locally to eliminate violence against women, children and families”.
She was shocked but not surprised to discover the alarming statistic around domestic violence. “Last year more than 100 women were killed or were the victims of attempted murder in family and domestic violence-related homicides and nearly 1.5 million women in Australia have experienced sexual assault since the age of fifteen.”
Joining Mr Costigan as speakers tonight will be a panel of talented women from the Canberra community: Genevieve Chan, YouTuber from the Freelance Apprentice, Dr Kylie Bourne, founder of Principled Knowledge, and Pip Seldon, founder of the Healthy Tradie Project, will speak briefly before opening the floor up for discussion to have an honest conversation about what we all can do to help.
Limited tickets are still available online. As this is a launch, the network already has several more exciting events in the works for the next few months.
“Ethics for Brekkie: Integrity and ‘Walking the Walk’” will be celebrated on World Philosophy Day on November 17 and the Positive Plenary will be held at the Hyatt on December 7. All proceeds raised by the network will be donated to the Tara Costigan Foundation.
Pictured above is executive coach and founder of the Network of Possibility Kim Vella. Photo: Richard Tuffin
Loading ...
