User:Liana Papoutsis/sandbox

LIANA PAPOUTSIS HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERT SPECIALISING IN FAMILY VIOLENCE

Liana Papoutsis is a highly experienced human rights, international relations and law academic, family violence and social change advocate. Recognised with the Deakin University, Lynne Alice Prize for Excellence in Human Rights and International Law, Liana is an esteemed bi-lingual academic engaged as a specialist consultant for the Victorian Government’s design and delivery of family violence reforms at the Department of Premier & Cabinet and Family Safety Victoria. Liana draws on her own experience of surviving and starting life again after family violence to inform foundational key family violence reforms such as Support and Safety Hubs and is committed and determined to making a difference, improving safety and support for women who are leaving violent or abusive relationships. Liana is a member of Victoria’s first 'Victims Survivor Advisory Council', the Industry Taskforce, and a member of the Diversity & Intersectionality Working group & Industry Taskforce which seeks to address the difficulties faced by women from culturally & linguistic backgrounds (CALD). Liana is also a member of the Ministerial Taskforce for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. She is passionate about education and is a highly sought after, trainer, facilitator and mentor. She is the Chair for the Speaking Out Advocacy Committee (SOAC) at Women’s Health East, and a trainer with Women’s Health Victoria working with workplaces to better understand family violence and improve workplace policies and support for employees who are experiencing family violence. Liana has partnered with Victoria Police to deliver training to 15,000 Victoria Police on family violence dynamics, which was  mandatory for police officers up to Superintendent rank. The training delivered as e-learning modules has also been rolled out across the New Zealand Police Force. She was recently selected to be part of a Victorian Government consultation with the UN Special Rapporteur for Women Dr. Dubravka Simonivic, to discuss the challenges of addressing family violence and achieving gender equality locally, nationally and globally.