First ever DVFREE Training for the Pacific Islands

DVFREE Programme Lead, Mira Taitz, and DVFREE Trainer and Policy Adviser, Parisa Kooshesh, delivered the first ever online DVFREE training for a group of people all based in the Pacific Islands on 8th and 9th October 2024. The training was on Zoom over two mornings for a group of family violence First Responders from Tower Insurance in Fiji.

Mary Balemaira, Tower's People & Culture Lead in Fiji, told us, “Our Fiji team truly valued the opportunity to participate in the Shine training which will not only equip us with the tools to provide a safe place to seek support when needed but also a supportive environment for our people which reinforces our commitment to their well-being and professional growth.”

Mira said, “I really valued the deep care and commitment among this group of Tower First Responders in Fiji to improving the responses offered to staff who experience domestic violence.  Like New Zealand, Fiji has high rates of family violence and violence against women.  We appreciated the opportunity to exchange knowledge with the group, and the excellent questions and discussion about the different aspects of entrapment, and the way that this can look similar and different in specific cultural contexts.  We look forward to connecting again with the dedicated team of First Responders in Fiji!” 

The First Responders in attendance gave rave reviews in their training evaluations, with comments like: 

• Learn a lot and the insights about DV and us as a first responder.  

• I appreciate the learnings and clarity around who a First Responder is. My key takeaway of course are the 6 step response.

• Loved the interactive 2-day session.

• Very resourceful and the trainers were both clear in every way on how they conducted the training.

Parisa added, “We also want to acknowledge Tower Insurance as a DVFREE Tick Partner, for extending their DVFREE workplace programme to all their staff across the Pacific. This ensures that all Tower employees have access to paid family violence leave, flexible working and workplace safety and wellbeing planning, with support from a First Responder.”