Sport Integrity Australia will join Australian Tennis star, Jelena Dokic at a special free Q&A screening of Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story in Fed Square, Melbourne on Tuesday, 28 January to raise awareness, support abuse survivor recovery and advocate for improved safety in sport.
The former world number 4 will speak about the documentary that tells the incredible story of becoming a tennis star while surviving war, bullying and domestic violence at the hands of her father Damir Dokic.
"Every morning, I woke up and thought, how do I make sure he doesn't hurt me today? No matter how hard I worked on the court, it was never good enough for him," says Jelena in Unbreakable - The Jelena Dokic Story, the film directed by Jess Halloran and Ivan O'Mahoney.
As an official impact partner for the film, Sport Integrity Australia's A/Deputy CEO, Dr Paul Oliver will join the live panel at 7:30pm ahead of the screening alongside Jelena, Australian Childhood Foundation CEO, Janise Mitchell and panel moderator Shaynna Blaze.
Dr Paul Oliver who also holds the Deputy Chair of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport Advisory Board said Jelena's story highlights how everyone plays a role in keeping children and young people safe in sport.
"Sport has come a long way in recent years to recognise and prioritise safe and positive environments, but there is always more to do," said Dr Oliver.
"We need to ensure that all sporting organisations have the capacity to embed everyday practices that protect children, young people and adults from abuse and harm, as well as to create cultures where participants feel safe and supported, and where their voices are heard."
"The safety of children and all participants should be a sporting organisation's number one priority."
In October 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls released a report stating that violence against women and girls in sports is a serious and systemic human rights issue that demands immediate attention at all levels.
The report is supported by Sport Integrity Australia's own statistics, with almost 65% of child safeguarding investigations alleging prohibited conduct against women or girls.
In response, Sport Integrity Australia recently launched a new Empowering Women and Girls in Sport Integrity program designed to support women and girls to enter, stay and thrive in sport at all levels.
Dr Paul Oliver said shedding light on stories like Jelena's is essential to creating real and impactful change for children in sport.
"Sport Integrity Australia is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to ensure sport is safe and fair for all," said Dr Oliver.
Learn more on our safeguarding sport web page for this event.
Event details
Date: Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Time: 7:30pm panel session followed by 8:00pm film screening
Where: Fed Square, Melbourne
More details: On the Fed Sq website
