Disclaimer: This episode discusses difficult topics related to domestic and family violence, mental health, rape and sexual assault, and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, podcast crew member Aarrah speaks with Jules Thompson, founder of Broken Ballerina and lived experience worker and survivor of domestic violence. Jules speaks passionately, recognising the entrenched flaws of Australia’s mental health system in her own experience and her work supporting victim/survivors of domestic violence. Using her foundation ‘Broken Ballerina inc.’ Jules and her husband, Pete, fill in the gaps often overlooked in the domestic and family violence (DFV) sector, with a strong grassroots and advocacy approach. Jules recognises the injustices and provides for the unique individual needs of victim/survivors of DFV, rather than a box to be ‘ticked & flicked’. Jules highlights the importance of collaboration to build community support as part of her role as a social change agent. Jules Thompson. (2022) Broken Ballerina. Savvy Scripts Publishing. Broken Ballerina: https://brokenballerina-inc.com.au/ Coercive control definition: https://www.raq.org.au/blog/what-coercive-control Gaslighting definition: https://www.raq.org.au/blog/what-gaslighting Advocacy definition: https://www.rightsinaction.org/home/what-is-advocacy/ Community organising definiton: https://www.corganisers.org.uk/what-is-community-organising/intro-about-community-organising/ Angel shot definiton: https://parade.com/living/angel-shot If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact: DV Connect: https://www.dvconnect.org/ DV Connect Womensline Ph: 1800 811 811 DV Connect Mensline Ph: 1800 600 636 Sexual Assault Helpline Ph: 1800 010 120 National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) Ph: 1800 737 732 Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Ph: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Ph: 1800 55 1800 Advocacy, domestic violence, domestic and family violence, Broken Ballerina, mental health, victim/survivor, community, collaboration, lived experience worker, grassroots practice Music by Boe Toweh Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalconversations4sw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalConversations4SW