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FROM OUR CEO
Hello to Hagar Australia friends and supporters,
I have just returned from the Bali Process Regional Symposium on Trafficking in Bangkok, addressing 35 governments on key trafficking trends and the importance of recovery for survivors. I won’t lie... I was a little nervous about the idea of addressing such a significant forum. Whilst I have done many talks, I had never done one so formal or of such significance. The team worked hard to prepare for the presentation, and when the moment came I found my voice and passion to speak for the survivors we serve at Hagar.
I am not alone in finding some days at Hagar tough. So many of Hagar’s 300 global staff are stretched every day in courts, in meetings or in counselling sessions with clients. The environments we work in can be dangerous, the subject matters of paedophilia and rape are crude and confronting however we all here to do whatever it takes to support those who have survived unbelievable trauma.
Kate
Kate Kennedy
CEO Hagar Australia
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AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS VISITS HAGAR CAMBODIA
The Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja visited Cambodia and Myanmar in February to discuss issues including domestic violence, rape, female political representation and gender equality.
Hagar was fortunate enough to host Ms Stott Despoja during her visit, where she met with lead program staff and two former clients. The two women, both survivors of trafficking, abuse and neglect, shared their stories of incredible transformation through Hagar's programs.
In the Ambassador's International Women's Day address she said of the visit, 'I have met with survivors of slavery and extreme abuse in places around the region. Most recently in Cambodia I met with young women at Hagar International, who, with Australian support, are building new lives.'
To read more about the ambassador's visit to Hagar and the young survivors stories, read this SBS article on our website.
We thank DFAT for their support of our work.
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STYLE FOR LIFE
Sunday July 26, 2015
Hair Salons, Australia-wide
At a Hagar Loungeroom event in Melbourne in 2014, Hagar Patron Rachel Griffiths got chatting with hair product tycoon Eleven’s Rob Gattuso and A-List hairdressers Joey Scandizzo and Marita Onn. Together they hatched a plan for a brand new Hagar fundraiser – Style For Life. In two years, Style For Life has raised more than $59,000 that has been channeled straight into Hagar’s Women’s Economic Empowerment and Recovery Programs in Cambodia.
Last year’s Style For Life saw 28 salons, 200 stylists and over 1000 people across Australia get involved. This year, we want it to be bigger and better than ever. We are now inviting hair salons to sign up. We’d love to raise as much as we can for Hagar's women’s programs. The more people who get their hair done, the more women we can support. It’s as simple as that.
We asked Rachel about her plans for 2015 Style For Life.
Why does Style For Life work so well?
Style For Life makes so much sense to me. Hagar has great supporters in the industry. They get to do what they are good at; their staff love the fun of the Style For Life Sunday and pretty much everyone in the Hagar community goes to the hairdresser don’t they?
What happens in the salons on Style For Life day?
For the last two years, there has been such a great atmosphere in Style For Life salons. Last year at Joey Scandizzo's Salon in South Yarra, my kids were getting haircuts, there was frozen yoghurt, friends were in there having their hair done. We all went for lunch. It was so much fun.
On a serious note - why is Style For Life so important?
Hairdressing is a very important vocation for many Hagar survivors. The industry is very closely related to women’s economic empowerment and self esteem. As a vocation, it is incredibly powerful for women. Joey and Marita have done wonderful masterclasses in Phnom Penh for Hagar clients recovering from the worst human rights abuses. Eleven Australia has donated so much product and professional salon equipment to support these women to create their own businesses one day. It is an industry that in places like Afghanistan, Cambodia and Vietnam empowers women. It gives women income, and a great haircut or style can make a person feel great. So yes, Style For Life is a fun day but there is a real connection to the work Hagar does. I urge everyone to get involved.
Rachel Griffiths' guide to Style for Life Sunday July 26, 2015.
- Nominate your salon to participate
- SAVE the date – July 26, 2015
- Make a day of it. Plan blow dries/hair cuts and colours with girlfriends and then go out for lunch or Sunday drinks. Or book haircuts for the whole family.
- If you are a salon, email info@elevenaustralia.com to be part of Style for Life in 2015.
For more information on Style for Life, visit our website.
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A SYSTEM JUST FOR CHILDREN
In partnership with UNICEF, in February Hagar proudly launched a groundbreaking report on Voices of Child Victims and Witnesses in Cambodia’s Criminal Justice System. It is the first study of its kind documenting the terrible experiences of children in Cambodia’s courts.
"Too often children are poorly protected, unnecessarily exposed to their perpetrator and inadequately supported by the current justice system. This study makes recommendations that could ensure children can provide evidence in safety and with confidence, so that justice can be done.”
- Steve Penfold, Hagar Cambodia Country Director.
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SUMMER DRINKS SUCCESS AND AFGHAN LAWYER PROGRESS
On a beautiful summer evening at the end of February, over 100 Melbourne Hagar supporters gathered at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda for Hagar's Summer Drinks. The night had two purposes; to share the progress of Hagar's lawyer in Afghanistan who had been recruited after the 2014 event, and to raise funds to employ her for another year.
Our Country Director for Afghanistan, Sara Shinkfield, addressed the room via video message to share updates from the field over the past year and highlight the significance of having a lawyer on staff.
The event was an overwhelming success, with fabulous live and silent auction prizes from our sponsors at Husk, Jonathan Leahey Sculptures, Rolex, Cadrys Rugs, Family Love Tree, Serge Thomann, Jac + Jack, Constance Roe, St Kilda FC, Australian Grand Prix, Eleven Australia, RockWiz and many more.
With their support and the support of everyone who attended, we are pleased to announce that Hagar will be able to extend the Afghan lawyer's contract for another year. Thank you to all of our sponsors and attendees for making the night a success.
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