The Shark Cage Framework was developed by Melbourne psychologist, Ursula Benstead. The Five Step framework is a way of preventing, understanding and healing from violence against girls and women. It is based on the concept of Universal Human Rights and draws on a powerful metaphor and multiple psychological modalities for working in trauma informed ways to help women interrupt patterns of abuse in their lives and in ways that empower girls and women and challenge victim blaming.
The power of the framework is in its use of metaphor, storytelling, creative activities and trauma informed learning that comes full circle as participants re-create the metaphor by using pieces of art they have created together. Each group or individual client creates their own unique Shark Cage® wall mural.
This training will benefit:
“Womens rights are human rights. Every woman deserves physical and sexual safety, freedom of movement and the right to be the author of her own life. The Shark Cage® Framework supports women to know their rights, heal and make empowered choices that build self awareness and self worth.“
Meet the dynamic creator of the Shark Cage® Framework and learn how to use this practical and engaging framework with your clients
Secure your place for this in demand training now or contact us for information about inhouse and online training. Let us come to you!
“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.”
“Such useful information that can be tailored to the needs in different client groups. The training was interactive which kept it interesting and engaging.”
“I have grown more in the last 8 weeks than I have in years.”
“I will pay attention to my gut instinct and ditch a relationship if something is wrong.”
“Fantastic program. It has helped me to grow and work towards a better future and understanding and knowing my rights. Thanks heaps for changing my world.”
“I continue to love being a part of this program and seeing the growth in confidence & resilience in the girls.”
“Fantastic training. Very practical & useful techniques. I have several clients in mind who I can instantly begin this work with.”
“I now know that I have rights, before the groups I was not aware I could set a boundary.”
“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.”
“I am so much stronger and more confident.”
“The metaphor is a great way to raise awareness of unhealthy and healthy relationships. It’s a fantastic way to raise awareness of when people’s human rights are being violated and it is not okay!”
“I did this training in response to clients calling and telling me it was helpful for them – so I wanted to know more. It was really worthwhile – great concepts & practical tools.”
“Amazing practical training that is applicable and easy to apply to clients to build self-confidence and agency within them. So very worth attending. Ursula is fabulous.”
“I feel more aware of why equality is so important in 2018.”
“This will help me to see who I should hang out with and if it is worthwhile.”
“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.”
“I’ll be able to deal with my problems in healthier ways now.”
“The training has provided a new framework that has the flexibility to be delivered to a diverse range of women. The metaphor is incredibly relatable and I’m excited to see the outcomes of sharing the knowledge.”
“I will now be able to stop Sharks coming into my life and know my self worth.”
“I will be able to stop blaming myself for the abuse I have experienced and have confidence in how I am raising my children to respect others and not expect abuse.”
“Engaging, inspiring and educational. I’m excited to introduce this into client’s lives. Easy to adapt to various people, cultures etc.”
“The framework is easy to understand and well resourced. I am confident I can apply the learning to my practice, both with individuals and groups. Great training.”
“I have learnt the importance of self-care and that we need to help ourselves before we can help others. Putting the whole Shark Cage metaphor together in the mural was awesome.”
“It was interactive and fun. Lots of good energy and I feel way more aware.”
“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.”
“I’ve been able to set boundaries with my friend who wanted to see me every day and for our relationship to be sexual. I didn’t know how to do that before.”
“I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. I’ve dumped my abusive boyfriend, got a job and have stopped hurting myself.”
“Wonderful training! So easy to follow. I can’t wait to apply it in my work!”
“I have had lots of epiphanies today, both from the content and things other people have said.”
“I loved this training and the flexibility of working with an individual or group. Using it with our young people will be great. Thanks for a really great day.”
“The training was so clear & helpful in having strategies to support women who have experienced repeated violations of their Human Rights. The framework is optimistic for both worker and client.”
“I really enjoyed the day. Theory and practice were blended in a very user friendly way. The best self-care component I have experienced at the end of the training.”
“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.”
“This training was amazing – so worthwhile.”
“I said I wouldn’t visit my abuser in hospital this week. Before this group I just would have gone.”
“I learnt that I should be proud of myself and that I have my own rights. This will help me forever.”
“I can see this being very helpful for lots of my clients. Excellent training.”
“It was absolutely enlightening, educating and empowering, a huge learning curve for me.”
“Ursula is extremely knowledgeable and delivered great training.”
“Gave me a different way of thinking and working with women. Fantastic training, so unique. Ursula, I love your work.”
“It has been so helpful in all areas of my life.”
“Making a Shark Cage made me feel better. Seeing all that I have achieved and built.”
“I continue to love being a part of this program and seeing the growth in confidence & resilience in the girls.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, it has helped me identify Sharks and Dolphins.”
“I feel more confident as a result of doing the course.”
“The Shark Cage framework is so helpful and applicable to our work with young women.”
“This program has taught me to think more positively.”
“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.”
Thousands of workers are using Shark Cage® interventions and Shark Cage® groups for women run in multiple locations across Australia.
You can find your closest facilitator by searching Google.