Sarah Gleeson is a strong advocate for workers, vulnerable Australians and developing young people, with a focus on interventions in the leisure context and the positive use of free time. An unwitting whistleblower in an era of criminal prosecution, Sarah has fought back against all systems of oppression and structures that seek power over, rather than walking alongside others faced with adversity. Having completed her master’s in science, with a major in adolescent use of free time, working up to 80 hours a week in the United States, it was time to return home to Australia to work in the field of youth.
As a fierce advocate for a terrorised casual workforce, Sarah’s shy side was put on the backburner, and soon was advised to move into a new line of work due to repeated targeted harassment in the workplace. Frustration at a lack of legal knowledge, the Queensland University of Technology, the university for the real world, came to the rescue and a law degree was put on the table. A focus on equality and employment, domestic and family violence moved onto the priority list and these main areas of activism have been a key priority in career development and progression.
Sarah’s Strengths
First-year law, an introductory subject fueled students with self-knowledge and Lecturers requested we complete a self-assessment of our strengths. Indignant that this was law and above trite attempts to develop ourselves, no one was happy with the request. As the Lecturers pointed out:
If you want to be confident lawyers, you need to know your strengths.
They were right. If you have been gaslit through the process of a toxic job or relationship, your brain will need the boost in self-esteem. Sarah’s Strengths, included below, can give readers an idea of what to expect. So, what do you need? An email address. What is the cost? Nothing, the basic survey is free, and well worth the time.
SOURCE: VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports
The request was made for students to establish a learning style. As a kinesthetic learner it made sense the contents of the tort’s textbook was not processing, at all. Find out how you learn by accessing the VARK website.
SOURCE: VARK Questionnaire: How do you learn best?
Sarah’s Challenges
Everyone has challenges to face. One of many advocates blocks is to take responsibility for other people’s life choices. Each choice has led to this point, and, in return, it is up to them to decide to face any block head-on, go around it, over it, or bypass it altogether. We cannot control other people’s actions or inaction. One of Sarah’s biggest challenges is having other people impose their inaction on her and recognition of the three roles adopted by society has helped avoid being landed with other people’s baggage, and their blame.
We can step into the role of hero or saviour, but that takes away power from the person to act with autonomy and agency. It overloads us in turn. We can turn ourselves into the victim, but this keeps us stuck in the cycle of apathy. The role in setting up this site is to take on the role of a self-coach, with a view to a safer forum, one that is less likely to be targeted by malicious and vexation claims of hate speak. People who abuse power do not like truth and will do anything, and everything, within their capability, to usurp the authority of those who do not seek fame or fortune, but simply freedom from the lies of those who dislike being held to account.