This article mentions domestic and family violence. If you need assistance, you can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit the DV Connect Australia website. 

A thriving organisation is not one that is fixated on seeing the best of the best, but one that goes a step further to provide a safe space for its people to be their most vulnerable self. 

Working full-time at Microsoft has been more than just a 9-5 commitment for Charlie-Marie Shanks. It has been a vehicle that has allowed her to invest energy into addressing a prolific issue that was personal to her.  

Cases relating to domestic and family violence have become increasingly common in Australia. According to statistics collected by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018, one in six women have faced violence at the hands of an intimate partner.   

Shanks is on a mission to provide safe spaces and sufficient resources to help individuals fleeing from violent relationships.  

In response to her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence, and after experiencing “appalling” treatment through the court system, Shanks founded the ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes‘ initiative to raise awareness about family and domestic violence.  

She is also the Director of ‘StandbyU,’ a Brisbane-based organisation which uses technology to create a secret and secure way for survivors of domestic violence to stay safe.  

This was an initiative she was able to dedicate time to while working in her full-time role as a Modern Work Specialist at Microsoft. 

“The idea was to bring technology and humans together. It became apparent that what we were already doing just wasn’t working. I couldn’t sit in my ivory tower and do nothing. Having had first-hand experience, and the technical literacy and connections, meant I was able to [do something to] change it,” she says.  

Helping staff make a difference 

She was able to use her expertise for good thanks to Microsoft’s generous volunteer program, which includes giving staff the time off work to volunteer, matching employee charity donations, pro-bono services and ‘hack for good’ programs.  

Approximately 22,000 employees globally have volunteered for over 590,000 hours as of 2021. 

In her capacity as a Director of StandbyU, Shanks assisted in creating a world-first technology, the StandbyU Shield, which is built on the Microsoft Azure platform. The purpose of the shield is to prevent and address complex social issues such as abuse, domestic violence, and isolation through the mobilisation of family and friends.

 “Research shows that connections are the single biggest factor to a healthy and happy life. Connections change lives. Connections change everything.”

At the click of a button, the person at risk can immediately – by combining the power of technology, and the strength of human relationships – be connected to their support network who can listen in, see their location, and organise any assistance required including escalation to emergency services. 

“Inside Microsoft, I’ve got several volunteers that I work with and some of them are also on the ‘StandbyU board.’ 

“Microsoft is an organisation that realises that the more diverse the workgroup that you’ve got, the better results that you have.”  

What made Shanks’ campaigns attainable was the connections she built in her workplace with like-minded people who shared a similar perspective and willingness to support people in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.  

“I couldn’t sit in my ivory tower and do nothing. Having had first-hand experience, and the technical literacy and connections, meant I was able to [do something to] change it.” – Charlie-Marie Shanks

While many workplaces have taken positive steps forward in addressing psychological safety in the workplace, many employees are still reluctant to show vulnerability. But Microsoft has facilitated an environment of inclusivity that automatically encourages people to embrace who they are and bring their ‘outside self’, including their passions and values, into the organisation. 

“I’ve always stood up for what I believe in. Microsoft has always been incredibly supportive of that,” says Shanks. “It’s one of the most inclusive, diverse workplaces I can think of.” 

Shanks points out that Microsoft offers three days of official volunteer leave.  And Microsoft doesn’t just allow its employees time to work on these projects, its executives are also often active participants. Shanks says Microsoft ANZ’s Managing Director, Steven Worrall, and Microsoft’s Queensland State Director, Brett Lightfoot have also played an integral role in the work that she is doing within this space. 

“Both are engaged with the work I do, and they are incredibly supportive of everything I do.”

Another benefit is ten days paid Domestic and Family Violence leave which is offered to all full-time employees of Microsoft ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Region), which Shanks used.

Bringing together government, commercial, and non-for-profit 

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is complex and touches every type of agency or organisation. To solve wicked problems like this often takes a network. “By bringing together government, commercial and non-for-profit to work together we can have a true cross sector approach.” says Shanks.

Shanks is a part of an Australian first program working across multiple government, commercial and non-for-profit agencies who are designing a cross-sectoral partnership approach to providing improved intelligence around domestic and family violence.  The projects will provide a more integrated response to help to breakdown some of the information silos that exist with frontline DFV service workers, and emergency responders. Helping police, healthcare and case workers provide the right response and service at the right time for survivors of DFV.

 This project Shanks says will keep the human at the centre of the solution and will empower those at risk of serious domestic violence with greater security and choice, and it will improve the quality and coordination of services available to those at risk of serious harm.   

Develop a culture of storytelling  

Part of getting Microsoft employees on board to support the various initiatives I am working on is through storytelling, says Shanks. 

“I was asked to share my personal story at our employee kick-off, ANZ Ready in 2021. I received incredibly positive feedback from colleagues who wanted to understand how they could get involved. In my experience, sharing our truth, and being vulnerable is one of the most powerful ways you can connect and help others. I have been working to elevate stories [like mine] as there are many people across the organisation who my story resonates with, and whilst they might not want to pursue their own journey, they may want to be engaged with somebody else’s.

Despite the many initiatives created to address this prolific issue, there is still lots more to do in terms of raising awareness. 

Shanks sees this as an evolving landscape and is hopeful that “it’s given others the courage to speak out, be brave and tell their story, and that it has inspired other people to be vulnerable.” 

The impact of domestic violence can be severe, and often very isolating but by bringing support and tech solutions together to help vulnerable people feel safe is a huge step forward. 

 “It’s about bringing the power that we have in the technology sector, and all of the great things that it can do, to help our most vulnerable citizens at their most desperate time of need.” 

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