Safer Spaces in Music Education (SSME) workshop – Christchurch – 15 March 2024

MENZA is thrilled to be partnering with Safer Spaces in Music Education (SSME) to present this very important workshop. It is made possible by funding from the Networks of Expertise, and the workshops are for all music educators. There is only room for 30 participants, so be in quick! It’s a perfect opportunity to get together with other local music teachers and food is included. You will also be able to receive a PLD certificate.

The ‘Professional Respect’ Workshop is a bespoke training designed to support Worksafe’s Health&Safety guidelines to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The Professional Respect training day has been developed in conjunction with SoundCheck Aotearoa and are based on a similar training that has been rolled
out across the screen sector.

The full-day training is friendly and interactive and the content includes:

• Definitions of sexual harassment and sexual harm within New Zealand legislation
• WorkSafe obligations and legal requirements for workplaces
• Guidance for receiving disclosures of sexual harm and supporting survivors
• Options and pathways for reporting sexual harm and support services available
• Strategies for preventing sexual harm and fostering a respectful work environment
• Practical tips for bystander intervention.

The day starts at 8.30 for tea and coffee, with an opening karakia at 9am sharp, and runs through until 5pm. Breaks and refreshments/lunch will be provided. The training days are facilitated by sexual harm prevention and response specialists Rachel Harrison and Mel Calvesbert, who are experienced practitioners in sexual harm prevention and response and they will ensure that the discussion is safe, constructive and respectful. There will be no requirement to share personal information in the workshop. If you have any concerns and would like to discuss how to attend or contribute in a safe way, please contact Judith.

Judith Bell (bell.judith@gmail.com) will be the liaison and host for this workshop.

Venue: The Village Community Centre, 365A Ilam Road, https://villagechurch.nz/bryndwr/

Please register so that we can make the necessary arrangements for catering and resources and so we can keep in touch about the day and provide the information. Click here to register.

Thank you for supporting this initiative!

Quote from male attendee: “Safer Spaces workshop was a day well spent. I was quickly put at ease and had a really fun and valuable day, and learnt some really useful information. The presenters were excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone in the music and arts field whether a teacher or performer or director”

Professional Respect Training Workshop – Facilitator Biographies

Melanie Calvesbert (she/they)

Mel was born, grew up and lives in Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington). She is Pākehā and in October 2022, made the leap to self-employment. The primary focus of her work is working alongside communities and organisations as they seek to both respond well and prevent all forms of sexual harm including sexual harassment in workplaces and child sexual abuse.

Immediately prior to self-employment life, Mel worked at the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Initially this was as one of their small team of regionally based Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Advisors (SAPRAs) and then as the Manager for the SAPRAs.

Prior to the NZDF Mel worked for the most part in NGOs who have a focus on the response to sexual harm, including WellStop and the Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation.

She enjoys being able to take prior learning and adapt that in order to be able to support  organisations which have taken on the challenge of creating safer and respectful environments.

Rachel Harrison (she/they)

Rachel Harrison comes from the Coromandel Peninsula and currently lives in Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington) and works with organisations and communities across Aotearoa to help prevent sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse.

Rachel believes that harassment, violence and abuse are preventable and that the best solutions are tailored to each specific community and workplace, making use of their strengths and minimising specific risk factors.

Rachel started at Auckland Rape Crisis in the 1990’s, and since then has worked at Netsafe, the Hauraki Family Violence Network and Child Abuse Prevention Services Hauraki. She is now self-employed and works with a range of public and private sector organisations including the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Rugby, the screen sector, performance sector and music community as they work toward making their communities safe and free from harassment and abuse.