Calling It Out – Conversations for the Autistic Community
Nillumbik 16 Days of Activism Case Study
Different Journeys is an organisation facilitating social platforms and events that bring together Autistic youth and Autistic adults, and their families in inclusive, safe and supportive environments. Their mission is to create ways for the Autistic community to connect, empower and support each other.
As successful recipients of Nillumbik Shire Council’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence grant program, Different Journeys has embarked upon a project that will see them produce materials and resources that communicate the key messages of the 16 Days of Activism campaign in a way that their community can engage with and easily understand.
Mel Spencer OAM, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Different Journeys, said that when it comes to learning about health, relationships and the prevention of violence, it is essential that information is communicated in a neuro-accessible way.
“Easy English isn’t always accessible and medical language often focuses on deficits,” she explained. She also acknowledges that conversations about family and gender-based violence can be confusing, and as such, can quickly become distressing for some Autistic people.
“We want to be affirming and empowering.”
Understanding the language of violence
Language used to identify family and gender-based violence can be abstract and descriptive in nature. Colloquial language used to describe examples of abuse or manipulation – for example ‘gas-lighting’ and ‘love-bombing’ - complicates things further.
“There is an assumption that we can understand idioms. Our community are very literal and using words that can have multiple, different interpretations can cause confusion,” said Mel.
It can be equally challenging to explain and understand what a respectful relationship might look like to those who may struggle with interpreting non-verbal communication cues, such as body language and facial expressions. Mel raises that consent in relationships can be tricky to navigate.
“It is such a grey area which is based on different factors, and may not always be black and white to every person involved.”
Increased risk of violence
Safe and Equal’s ‘Fast Facts on Family and Gender-based Violence’ resource reports that almost one in four Australian women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15 years, and almost one in five have experienced sexual assault. Women with disabilities are even more likely to experience intimate partner violence (almost two in five), and are more likely to experience violence from multiple perpetrators, including carers and family members, and over longer periods of time.
Mel explains that more barriers exist for Autistic individuals to reach out for support when they need it.
“We’re creating a resource right now on how to call the police, and when to call the police, because that’s a barrier in itself – how do you know when something is an emergency? The definition of an ‘emergency’ is subjective and will look different to each and every person.”
A focus on primary prevention
Different Journey’s project through the Nillumbik 16 Days of Activism grant will focus on primary prevention, so that less Autistic people find themselves at a crisis point.
“By having these conversations, we want to use prevention to change the landscape, rather than just reacting all of the time and putting Band-Aids on the problem.”
Mel goes on to explain that the neuro-accessible materials and resources created through their Nillumbik 16 Days of Activism grant will be embedded into their social events in a number of ways, including:
- powerpoint slides which can be incorporated into existing presentations
- conversation prompt cards to be placed on tables at events
- scripts for Different Journeys staff and volunteers to feel confident in starting conversations about respectful relationships with Autistic youth and adults, and their families
“All we need is different, more inclusive ways to access the same information.”
Find out more information about Nillumbik's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence grants or email Gender.Equity@nillumbik.vic.gov.au.