SERVICES
Survivor Advocacy Support Network
Keynote Speaking & Bespoke Consulting
MONTHLY MEETUPS
The Athena Project’s ‘Survivor Advocacy Support Network’ is the first of its kind within the veteran community. The network consists of volunteers across Australia, who, after selection and training, are available as ‘active’ advocates in their chosen locality. Advocates are then available should an incident of sexual violence occur and a victim, or member of a victim’s care team, request assistance from The Athena Project.
An advocate, in this context, is a person who is able to provide emotional support, information, advocacy and referrals to the victim-survivor throughout their journey. In addition to this, Athena Project advocates are trained with an understanding of both the Australian Defence Force and The Australian Judicial systems to be able to provide tailored information for victim-survivors in real time. Our volunteer advocates have a range of backgrounds with both current and ex-serving members, medical professionals, military spouses and victim-survivors making up our support network.
SURVIVOR ADVOCACY SUPPORT NETWORK
If you are interested in becoming an advocate, and want to find out more information, book a meeting with our founder and complete the Expression of Interest form.
Only through talking about experiences of sexual violence and bringing the discussion out of the darkness, can real change and progress be made. It is time now for the discussion to include the voices of Australia’s Veteran Community. For far too long, the reality of the lived experience of veteran victim-survivors has been neglected as part of the discussion of sexual violence in Australia. The movement has begun and it is now time to hear from victim-survivors who, historically have been silenced, not only by the Defence Force systems, but out of fear.
In creating The Athena Project, our Founder and Director, Jordyn has leveraged her passion for advocacy together with the power of story-telling to address the inequalities experienced by Australia’s veteran victim-survivors. Through her studies in Gender, Peace and Security Jordyn has grown her skills to allow her to offer services of consulting, speaking and tutorials on a range of subjects for corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations.
The Athena Project offers the opportunity for storytelling through Keynote Speaking engagements as well as Bespoke Consulting arrangements for a myriad of matters, including but not limited to; lived experiences of sexual violence, victim-centric approaches, the feminine experience of military service, leadership, cultural transformations, social impact and corporate social responsibility.
KEYNOTE SPEAKING & BESPOKE CONSULTING
For more information on these services, please book a meeting with our founder.
{ Pricing is available upon request. }
Monthly MeetUps
Join our monthly online MeetUps, a collaboration between The Athena Project and The Survivor Hub, for the veteran and defence community. Held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm AEST, these sessions provide a supportive and inclusive space for all.
Veteran & Defence Community MeetUps
Led by Jordyn or Nikki, these MeetUps offer a warm and welcoming environment for Australian veterans, current serving members, spouses, family members or members of the Defence Community.
Facilitated by The Athena Project
Sexual violence is a critical issue within the Australian Defence Force and has been identified as such within the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Many survivors face a culture of silence and minimal support. Our MeetUps aim to provide a peer-based, victim-centric support network for veteran victim-survivors.
Why Attend?
Register on The Survivor Hub website to join our MeetUps on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm AEST.
How to Join
Not a veteran or member of the defence community? Join The Survivor Hub general MeetUps that are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. We look forward to welcoming you!
“Fundamentally, Jordyn’s approach when assisting victim-survivors is led with deep empathy and is trauma-informed. Her skills in advocacy are underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of policy and procedure when supporting those who are at their most vulnerable; victims of harassment, abuse, and/or further victimisation by systems of power. I met Jordyn last year when I was faced with my own case of sexual harassment and further victimisation in a workplace. She ensured that my emotions and thoughts were valid and justified, she made me feel safe and that I was not losing my mind. She was an anchor for me when I felt completely lost at sea. Jordyn also helped me draft emails, find policy documents and overall held my hand and helped me to get through one of the lowest points of my life. Knowing Jordyn’s story, and what inspired the genesis of The Athena Project has only furthered my sincerest respect for her strength, selflessness and her fearless aspirations for fairer systems and outcomes for victim-survivors. Systems in which the victim-survivor is prioritised, heard, respected, and vindicated. I cannot wait to see what The Athena Project will achieve.”
Caity M
survivor testimonial
“We were fortunate to have Jordyn present “A Different Perspective” to a Convocation for women aviators in technical trades. Her strength and compassion are as evident as her ambition and motivation to change how veterans and serving members experience the way the ADF deals with instances of sexual misconduct. Feedback from convocation participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many women rating Jordyn’s presentation as the most valuable of the 2 day event. Jordyn is warm and engaging, relatable, and a formidable force for change. I highly recommend Jordyn and The Athena Project to any organisation looking for a frank and fearless speaker with an incredible story to tell.”
KEY NOTE TESTIMONIAL
Cait T. Air Force
FAQ'S
The Athena Project is at its core a veteran support organisation. The core service of the Athena Project, The Survivor Advocate Network, is a service accessible to all veterans and their partners including: current serving members, previous serving members and their spouses. For related services also offered by The Athena Project and its founder, these can be accessed, utilised and engaged by any organisation, individual or group looking to learn, understand or assist in our mission.
Who can use and access The Athena Project?
FAQ'S
How does The Athena Project work?
The Athena Project is a not-for-profit organisation that runs on the power of its volunteers. The support advocacy network consists of a network of beautiful souls who volunteer their time to be available if and when, a victim-survivor may require their support in a moment of crisis. Our volunteers submit an expression of interest to become an advocate and they are then interviewed and vetted by our team. Once they have been offered a volunteer role of an advocate they complete a training module designed to promote understanding, empathy, compassion as well as outline the expectations of them in their role as an advocate. They are then listed on The Athena Project website, as an active advocate and if a victim-survivor in their locality requires an advocate they will connect with the victim-survivor and provide services of an advocate.
As for the additional and bespoke services offered by The Project, this operates on an as required and as engaged basis by liaison with our Founder and Director, Jordyn. Jordyn has extensive experience as a Keynote Speaker and Advocate and offers services of consulting, presenting, panel speaking amongst a myriad of other skills to corporate entities, Defence units and teams who are aligned with The Project’s mission and invested in the lives of veteran victim-survivors.
FAQ'S
Do I contact The Athena Project if I am in immediate danger?
No. If you are in immediate danger please call 000 (if in Australia) or the global emergency number 112. The Athena Project is unable to provide assistance in an emergency, so if your safety is at risk please contact emergency services.
FAQ'S
Is The Athena Project only for women?
To be upfront, gender is a spectrum and all genders experience violence within our veteran communities. The Athena Project welcomes advocates from all genders and is a service available to all genders. The Project acknowledges that there are certain demographics who make up the majority of victim-survivors of sexual and gender based violence and in this way offer some select services and community groups for specifically female-identifying members. However, everyone is welcome at The Athena Project and it is a safe place for all people, no matter your gender, identity, sexual preference or experience.
FAQ'S
How can I access a victim-support advocate?
To access our victim-survivor advocate service please CLICK HERE. This will prompt you to send an email which will be received by our team and flagged as a priority. As we grow this process will evolve. Do not fret if there are no volunteers in your locality, some of our advocates are able to travel to your locality to provide support. Alternatively, if you are more comfortable with an advocate service being delivered over the phone, this can also be arranged. You are also welcome to email The Athena Project directly at hello@theathenaproject.com.au to engage with our services.
FAQ'S
Do I have to have Australian Defence Force experience to be a part of The Athena Project?
Not at all! Whilst it is helpful to have an understanding of the dynamics at play in The Australian Defence Force, it is not a requirement of our advocates to have service experience or exposure. We welcome advocates from all backgrounds as we believe the core of being an advocate is not about a shared employment history, but the compassion people have for one another. Our training module covers an introduction to the ADF for all advocates to allow for common understanding and assistance in navigating processes and terminology specific to Defence that may be experienced by victim-survivors.
FAQ'S
How do I become an advocate?
All Athena Project advocates are selected and vetted prior to becoming active advocates. You can submit your expression of interest to be an Athena Project advocate and read more about the process HERE.
FAQ'S
How do I attend the monthly MeetUp?
To attend the monthly Veteran & Defence Community MeetUp, follow these steps:
1. Visit The Survivor Hub website.
2. Navigate to the registration section for the MeetUps.
3. Register for the Veteran & Defence Community MeetUp, which is held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm AEST.
4. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the online MeetUp.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact The Athena Project team via this website or seek further support from the team at The Survivor Hub via their website.
FAQ'S
