The WHY Campaign - Day 7 of 16 Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Learn more about the brand new community men's group based in Preston, Melbourne, from one of two guest speaker, Shankar Kasynathan is a Commissioner with the Victorian Multicultural Commissioner and a campaigner for Amnesty International. He was till recently a ‘’Well-being facilitator’’ (mental health support worker) with Candella. Shanker will be joined by his co-guest speaker, Anu Krishnan to share the concept, program, benefits and how men in the community can sign up to participate and be the change the world needs to see right now to prevent domesitc / family violence through a focus on men's needs such as healthy relationships, well-being and much more.  

Anu Krishnan and over the last 29 years, I have lived, laughed, loved and cried in 5 very different countries. I have a background in Social Anthropology, Social Work, Applied Psychology and Social Research and have worked with government, community and education sectors to design programs and implement strategies on domestic violence prevention, resilience, engagement and community development. With a deep interest in building resilient communities, Anu works with organisations and people who share the same passion and drive to bring change. 

The Open Exchange is a place based initiative committed to supporting men of all ages, from migrant and refugee backgrounds with a special focus on social support and well-being, explicitly, and implicitly works as a family violence primary prevention initiative. Formed around a place based community (Melbourne's northern suburbs), Open Exchange contributors will gather monthly in Preston to participate in ‘’narrative therapy’’ sessions, involving telling stories, engagement in discussions, and quiet contemplation, facilitated by an experienced FV behaviour change specialist from a CALD background, and supported by Shankar Kasynathan and Bruno Spandonide. Clinical supervision provided by Anu Krishnan. This is a program built by migrants and refugees, for migrants and refugees (primarily), with the support of and involvement of allies.