Belinda Nano of Armidale Women’s Shelter said the sessions were designed by a Melbourne psychologist who had worked extensively with women experiencing family abuse.  

“It uses the metaphor of the shark cage,” Ms Nano said. 

“The idea is that the bars of the shark cage are built for protection … our rights are like the bars.

“It’s about identifying your rights within a relationship and learning strategies for protecting yourself.”

The shelter will be running the workshop on Wednesday, as part of a four-to-five week program.

Women with young children are encouraged to bring their youngsters along, with childcare offered at the shelter.

Morning tea will be provided and transport can be arranged for those who cannot make it to the shelter. Ms Nano hopes the workshops will help to inform the city’s younger generation through their mothers.

“The workshop is about building on the skills you have for healthy relationships,” she said.

“With any community there’s a need for people to learn a bit more about healthy relationships.

“It’s an important skill for us to pass on to our children.

“Within a community if we want to address domestic violence, it is a good starting place.”

But the workshops are not just about relationships, and aim to arm women with the skills they need to stand up for themselves.

“Understanding your rights is just the first step,” Ms Nano said. 

“It’s [also] strategies for being assertive.

“That’s the next step - being able to defend those rights when it’s safe.”

The workshop will be held from 10am to 12pm.

For more information, contact Ms Nano on 6772 5352.