A group of 8 racially diverse young women are gathered in a group. 5 are standing in a row behind 3 who are sitting in wheelchairs. Each woman is either waving or has her hands up in the air. They are all smiling and look like they are celebrating. There are some trees with autumn-coloured leaves in the background. In the lower left corner of the image is a banner that says Spark Women's Leadership Program, Strengths, Potential, Advocacy, Resilience, Knowledge.

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SPARK Women’s Leadership Program – now seeking expressions of interest (form at end of page)

Please note: Thank you very much for your interest. We have now filled all available spaces for the current program. However, we are planning to run SPARK in June/July 2025 in two different locations:

  • Wangaratta (times and dates to be confirmed)
  • Griffith (times and dates to be confirmed)

We are also expecting to run the program again in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga in 2026.

If you would like to be considered for participation in future sessions of SPARK at any one of these locations, please complete the expression of interest form below and our program coordinator will get in touch.

About SPARK

RDAS is offering an exciting new FREE Leadership Program to support a small group of women aged 18+ with disability to discover and develop their individual leadership skills and enhance their knowledge of human rights, self-advocacy and self-care.

Is this program for me?

The SPARK Women’s Leadership Program was created for women aged 18+ who:

  • Identify as having a disability (no formal medical diagnosis required)
    • This can include intellectual disability, mental illness, neurodivergence, sensory disability, physical disability, health condition or chronic illness
  • Have previously experienced (not currently experiencing) family and/or domestic violence (FDV)
  • Are interested in discovering and developing their own unique leadership skills

What will I learn?

  • Discover and develop your own unique leadership style, goals and values
  • Learn more about disability rights, advocacy, community and how to initiate and create change
  • Increase your awareness and understanding of domestic and family violence, and the supports available in your local community
  • Connect with other women who have shared similar experiences and build more confidence working with others
  • Gain new skills and knowledge about leadership and emotional wellbeing and discover different self-care strategies

What will I be doing?

  • You will be taking part in 10 fortnightly workshops which run for 2.5 hours and include a meal break
  • These workshops will be face-to-face
  • Food will be provided

If you would like to know more, please contact our program coordinator Ashleigh by phone (1800 250 292) or by filling out the online form below.

SPARK is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.

SPARK Expression of Interest Form
Please note the information RDAS receives from filling out this expression of interest is kept private and confidential.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Your name
e.g. she/her, they/them, other
Preferred method of contact
Do you identify as a woman?
Are you over 18?
Date of birth
Have you experienced or been impacted by family and/or domestic violence in the past?
If you are unsure, please refer to the information about FDV at the bottom of this page.
Are you currently experiencing family and/or domestic violence?
If you are unsure, please refer to the information about FDV at the bottom of this page. Please note that if you are currently experiencing FDV, we will be offering this program again in 2026. Please continue to complete this expression of interest form, and our Program Coordinator will contact you to discuss further.
What is your disability?
Do you have any access or support needs?
Include your future ambitions and what you are hoping to learn in the program.
Please confirm which group you would like to be considered for
Do you have any dietary requirements or restrictions?

Please indicate your preferred days and times for meeting (you can choose more than one)

Days
Times
Will you be able to commit to attending 10 sessions fortnightly on your nominated days and times?
How did you learn about SPARK?

What is family and/or domestic violence (FDV)?

“Violence” doesn’t only mean harmful physical contact. There are many ways in which FDV can be experienced. These include:

  • Physical violence such as pushing, slapping, punching, choking, kicking or pulling your hair, or threatening to hurt you, a loved one, or a pet
  • Financial abuse such as controlling your money, denying or restricting access to your money, stealing from you, or controlling what you can and can’t buy
  • Sexual violence such as being pressured or forced into unwanted sexual activities, being touched on the breasts, vagina, buttocks or other private areas of your body without consent, or having unwelcome comments of a sexual nature made about your body
  • Social isolation such as being kept away from family and friends, controlling where you go, who you speak to, and whether you can work
  • Emotional and psychological abuse such as manipulation, shouting, humiliation, gaslighting (causing you to question your memories or understanding of a situation), telling you that you’re worthless or stupid, etc
  • Spiritual and cultural abuse such as denying your ability to go to your place of worship or to express your religious beliefs, cultural beliefs or values
  • Coercion such as the use of force, threats or orders to make you or scare you into doing something you don’t want to do, or that makes you feel uncomfortable

FDV can occur in all relationship types, including families and relatives, partners and ex-partners, boyfriends and girlfriends, married and de facto couples, LGBTQI couples, people you are living with long-term, and carers.