“This will help me to see who I should hang out with and if it is worthwhile.”
Year 9 girl, Victoria
Bill of Rights – Physical
Bill of Rights – Emotional
Bill of Rights – Financial
Bill of Rights – Sexual
Bill of Rights – Cultural & Spiritual
Bill of Rights – Social
Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor Ursula Benstead has 25 years of experience in the field of complex trauma, particularly in the areas of family/domestic violence and sexual assault.
As the author of The Shark Cage Group Program Manual and co-author of The Shark Cage Program For Young Women, Ursula has provided Shark Cage training in Australia and internationally to over 5000 professionals.
Ursula’s important and impactful framework is highly sought after to resource workers with tools to empower their clients
The 5 step framework is a way of preventing and understanding violence against girls and women. It draws on a powerful metaphor and multiple psychological modalities for working in trauma informed ways to empower girls and women.
Step 1: Introducing the Shark Cage Metaphor
Step 2: Renovating the Shark Cage
Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage Alarm
Step 4: Defending the Shark Cage
Step 5: Recognizing Sharks and Dolphins
Research shows that women who have experienced early abuse in childhood are more likely to be re-victimised in later life. Access training so you can share strategies that will increase girls and women’s understanding of their rights and awareness of abusive and respectful behaviours.
Work with a leading trainer and empower your team to increase women’s understanding of their rights and awareness of abusive and respectful behaviours.
Have you experienced abuse in you life and find yourself struggling to understand why this has happened and how can you heal from the impacts? Do you want to learn how to recognise the difference between Sharks who violate your Human Rights & Dolphins who support your rights? Working with a professional trained in the Shark Cage or joining a Shark Cage group will empower you to create a life that puts you and your rights at the centre.
“We have been running Shark Cage groups for three years. We were so grateful to come across this way of explaining to women that what happened to them is not their fault and there is light at the end of the tunnel in terms of them being in control of engaging in relationships (or not) in the future. Women have used words like feeling ‘empowered’, ‘relieved’ and ‘hopeful’ about their journey moving forward.”
Ros, Case Manager, Staying Home & Leaving Violence Program, Lake Macquarie, NSW
“The students thoroughly enjoyed the program and grew in confidence and knowledge of how to handle difficult circumstances. During the program we had parents calling to ask if their children could be involved.”
Brydie Scollary, Wellbeing Officer, Horsham Secondary College, Victoria
“The students thoroughly enjoyed the program and grew in confidence and knowledge of how to handle difficult circumstances. During the program we had parents calling to ask if their children could be involved.”
Brydie Scollary, Wellbeing Officer, Horsham Secondary College, Victoria
“We have heard so many examples of women finding a voice for the first time in their lives within their family and friendship circles and witnesses an increase in their self esteem which has been so rewarding.”
Michelle, Case Manager, Staying Home & Leaving Violence Program, Lake Macquarie, NSW
“Understanding the Shark Cage has given me new skills, tools and knowledge to better help my clients understand how to recognise healthy & unhealthy relationships. The training was so clear and understandable. I have learnt heaps & can’t wait to share this with my clients.”
Lisa, Family Support Worker, Uniting Care
“As a facilitator of the Shark Cage group in Adelaide for the last 18 months, I have found running the program very satisfying. I found that the way the manual had been so thoroughly written out by Ursula made it far easier to run the group than other groups I have facilitated. I enjoyed the non-blaming Shark Cage metaphor and the Human Rights lens, and women who have participated have told me that they now use this lens when assessing future relationships and looking out for red flags that might indicate Shark activity. I loved the originality of creating the Shark Cage mural using group activities throughout the program and have had lots of participant feedback about the long term positive effects of the program. It has become a very popular group and fills up quickly with a minimum drop out rate.”
Nicky, Relationship Counsellor /Specialised Family/Domestic Violence Counsellor, Anglicare