Join the conversation shaping the future of our practice.
Advancing responses to victim-survivors through dignity, resistance and context.
Join internationally recognised Response-Based Practice leaders Dr Allan Wade and Dr Shelly Dean for a rare opportunity to explore how dignity, resistance, language and institutional responses shape outcomes for victim-survivors and influence professional practice.
Why Dignity In Practice Matters
Across Australia, practitioners, leaders and organisations are seeking ways to strengthen responses to violence while ensuring responses remain grounded in dignity, accountability and social justice.
Dignity in Practice 2026 brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, government representatives and community leaders to engage in a sector-wide conversation about how we respond to violence and adversity.
At a time when Western Australia is advancing implementation of the Code of Practice for Specialist Family and Domestic Violence Services, this symposium offers an opportunity to explore how Response-Based Practice can support dignity-centred, violence-informed and evidence-informed practice across services and systems.
This is more than a professional development event.
It is an opportunity to reflect on current practice, deepen understanding and explore ways we can strengthen responses to victim-survivors while creating lasting change across our sector.
Dignity in Practice Symposium
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Beaumonde on the Point, East Perth
The full-day symposium will examine:
- The foundations and principles of Response-Based Practice
- How people actively respond and resist violence, even when those responses are not immediately visible
- The role of language in shaping dignity, accountability and understanding
- How institutional responses can support or undermine victim-survivors
- Practical applications across family and domestic violence, community services, health, justice, education and social work settings
- Opportunities to strengthen violence-informed practice across organisations and systems
Fireside Conversation
Wednesday 28 October 2026
Beaumonde on the Point, East Perth
This intimate gathering has been designed to create space for meaningful discussion around leadership, practice development and systemic change.
Facilitated by Zonta House’s Anna Scott, the conversation will draw on the principles of Response-Based Practice and its application across community services, government, health, justice and related sectors.
The evening includes canapés, refreshments, audience Q&A and networking opportunities, providing a unique opportunity to engage directly with internationally recognised leaders and peers from across the sector.
To support meaningful discussion and networking opportunities, places are strictly limited.
Hear from Dr Allan Wade and Dr Shelly Dean
An Introduction to Dignity In Practice 2026
Why Response-based Practice Matters
The Significance of Language
Meet the Speakers
Dr Allan Wade
Dr Allan Wade is an internationally recognised family therapist, consulting psychologist and co-developer of Response-Based Practice.
For more than four decades, his work has influenced professional practice, research and institutional responses to violence across family and domestic violence, child protection, justice, education and community services sectors internationally.
In 2024, he was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his significant contributions to addressing violence and advancing Response-Based Practice.
Dr Shelly Dean
Dr Shelly Dean is a family therapist, researcher, educator and clinical supervisor whose work focuses on violence-informed practice, children’s resistance to violence and dignity-centred responses to adversity.
As a leader within the Centre for Response-Based Practice, she supports organisations and practitioners internationally to strengthen responses to violence and create more socially just outcomes.
This event is proudly delivered in partnership with Zonta House Refuge Association, Department of Communities, Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing and WorkforceFDV.
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