02/11/2026
Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. It is a collective commitment and one of the most important messages we can give to young people is – any abuse you experience is not your fault and you should not carry that burden into adulthood.
With over 200 advocates, frontline workers and community organisations attending, Changing the Conversation Prevention Forum in Townsville, the focus was on shifting the mindset from response to prevention. We cannot respond our way out of domestic and family violence, we must invest in prevention. Hearing from guest speakers like Paddy Pool (Fuel For Schools Ltd), Dave Kramer (DFV Prevention Council), and Matt and Sarah Brown (Founders of She Is Not Your Rehab) who all spoke about the importance of children being heard, valued and protected. Matt spoke about his childhood experiences in an abusive household and how his journey of healing led to their work today – driving meaningful change through preventing family harm and intermit partner violence.
One of the highlights of the event was the introduction of Sarah Brown’s new children’s book, based on Matt’s life, “This Is Not Yours To Carry” centred on breaking cycles of generational trauma and the importance of healing. The forum was part of a program of public events supported by the Queensland Government, including several school visits where Matt, Sarah and their two children read the book to students, giving each a complimentary copy with the knowledge that their fear, anxiety and pain is not theirs to carry and are encouraged to put all worries into an invisible backpack which they can set aside. Understanding that abuse is not a child’s shame, secret or burden to bear is everyone’s responsibility.