ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Breaking the Hold: Strangulation Prevention & Response celebrates Red Rose Foundation’s 10th anniversary and a decade of leadership in addressing non-fatal strangulation, one of the highest-risk indicators for domestic violence-related harm and homicide.
Recognising a critical gap in support for survivors, Red Rose Foundation has strengthened specialised responses, advocacy, education, and counselling for women affected by strangulation. In 2021, this work led to the opening of Australia’s first Strangulation Trauma Centre.
This conference brings together specialist DFV services, police, health and justice professionals, community-based organisations, researchers, policymakers, educators and advocates from Australia and around the world. Through international and local expertise, participants will explore the latest research, practical strategies, and lived experience insights to strengthen prevention and response.
Breaking the Hold is both a celebration and a call to action, we are honouring ten years of impact while equipping the sector to turn insight into action and create safer futures for women and children.
MEET THE EXPERTS
We have connected with several experts across the world (including Australia) to bring attendees the latest evidence-based knowledge and practice as in our work and commitment to ending violence against women and children. We will be adding to this list and will provide updates to registered attendees and through our program updates.
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTES
Gael Strack
Pioneer of non-fatal strangulation research. Co-founded Alliance for HOPE International and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention to reform responses to DFV strangulation in the United States. With over 30 years’ experience as a prosecutor, legal academic and systems reformer, Gael’s work has shaped legislation, advanced investigative practice and improved outcomes for victims of strangulation and other violent crimes.
Dr. Bill Smock
Leading clinical forensic doctor on non-fatal strangulation. Police Surgeon in Louisville and medical director for the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention in the United States, advancing evidence-based responses to DFV strangulation. An internationally recognised forensic expert, Dr Smock has investigated and reconstructed hundreds of fatal, near-fatal and non-fatal strangulation cases, training law enforcement, clinicians and prosecutors to strengthen evidence-based responses and improve justice outcomes.
EXPERT SPEAKERS
Dr. Katherine Snyder
Child abuse pediatrician specialising in pediatric strangulation. Medical director of child abuse programs in Texas, educating on children's unique vulnerabilities to strangulation injuries in abuse contexts.
Thelma Schwartz
Principal Legal Officer at Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service. Advocates for First Nations victim-survivors of DFV, including non-fatal strangulation reforms, and received the Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate Award.
Prof. Claire Ferguson
Claire Ferguson is an Associate Professor, researcher and consultant in forensic criminology in the School of Justice at Queensland University of Technology. Claire's work brings together research and forensic case work on complex death investigations.
Dr. Brian Sullivan
Dr Brian Sullivan is an academic, professional practitioner, trainer, supervisor, and educator in the domestic violence sector and founder of SICURA, a consultancy and training organisation for DFV professionals, especially for those working with male offenders.
Prof. Heather Douglas
Heather Douglas joined Melbourne Law School in 2021 and teaches and researches in the area of criminal law and procedure. Her expertise on legal responses to domestic and family violence is internationally recognised and she co-ordinates the National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book.
Di Macleod
Di is the founder and director of the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence, a director of the Red Rose Foundation, and sits on several advisory bodies including the Queensland Sexual Violence Prevention Roundtable. Di has trained across Australia in relation to sexual violence and strangulation
Dr. Michelle Fitts
Leading researcher in traumatic brain injury, with a focus on understanding the needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women living with traumatic brain injury from family violence.
Prof. Sandra Creamer
CEO of Australian Women's Health Network. Advocates for improved screening and responses to non-fatal strangulation in diverse communities,
including same-gender attracted women, and links it to acquired brain injury.
with additional experts to be confirmed:
Dr. Debby Herbenik
Sexual health researcher and educator on rough sex and sexual choking/strangulation. Leads population-level studies on sexual behaviour to inform safer practices and harm reduction in contemporary sexual culture.
Sarah Dangar
Doctoral Researcher at City St George’s, University of London, specialising in fatal domestic abuse and statutory reviews. She chairs Domestic Homicide Reviews as an independent consultant, delivers training to organisations and local authorities, and is supporting the Scottish Government to develop its Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review model.
AUDIENCE
This conference brings together the latest global research, innovative practice, and lived experience to help delegates translate insights into action locally.
Who will attend:
- DFV, sexual violence and child protection practitioners
- Police and justice system professionals
- Health and forensic professionals
- Policy makers and government leaders
- Researchers and advocates working in violence prevention
- Lived-experience-informed leaders and allies
Learning outcomes:
- Latest information (and emerging research) on how to identify and respond to non-fatal strangulation
- Applying international best practice to Australian context and sharing tried and tested successful practice from Australia for replication
- Tools for advocacy, counselling, and policy implementation
Together, we’ll share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and turn insight into action.
ABOUT THE VENUE
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Address
Grey Street
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Website
The Conference will be held from 23–24 June 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with an optional Pre-Conference Workshop taking place at the same venue on Monday 22 June 2026.
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is a world-class conference and events venue located in the heart of South Bank, Brisbane’s cultural and dining precinct, and within easy reach of the CBD. Renowned for its contemporary design and flexible event spaces, the Centre provides state-of-the-art conference facilities and audiovisual technology.
The venue is surrounded by riverside parklands, galleries, restaurants, and cafés, providing an inspiring and accessible setting for delegates, with excellent public transport connections including rail, bus, and ferry services, and multiple easy options to travel to and from Brisbane City airport. The Centre is also located close to a wide range of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets. Special accommodation rates for conference attendees will be available at selected nearby hotels, with details provided to registered participants.
ABOUT BRISBANE
Brisbane is a modern, sub-tropical capital city with the river at its heart. Boasting an enviable lifestyle with year-round sunshine, the Brisbane region expands to include Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Scenic Rim and Somerset council areas. The city and surrounds offer a range of appealing visitor experiences and are home to numerous coastal villages, an expansive bay of islands featuring Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and a hinterland of historic countryside towns, lush national parks and fertile farmland.
Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city and is home to nearly two and a half million culturally diverse people. Its world-class sporting venues, conference facilities, cruise ship terminal, parklands, cafes, laneways and extensive river walks make Brisbane a vibrant and welcoming, metropolitan city.
Brisbane’s reputation as an international events capital has been recognised with Brisbane being elected as Host City for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The city has an extensive music, sporting and cultural events calendar thanks to the year-round temperate climate.
Find out more here via the Tourism and Events Queensland website
Conference Organiser
Dreamweavers Events
23 Leda Drive
Burleigh Heads, QLD, Australia
www.dreamweavers.com.au
registration@dreamweavers.com.au