As winter well and truly sets in across the southern states, it seems like the perfect time to snuggle up with a warm bowl of soup and take some time out to read what is happening in the VAW sector, both at home and around the world

Around the nation

  • AWAVA Advisory Group members Anne Morris and Annie Parkinson attended the launch of the Women™s Statement in Sydney on 15 May. Julie Collins MP, Minister for the Status of Women, outlined some of the Federal Government™s achievements for women, adding that the government intended to work towards further progress next year. Minister Collins launched the document, Women’s Statement 2012 – Achievements and Budget Measures stating that its œnew look was a reflection of the government™s particular concern with women™s issues.  See comments on the 2012-13 Federal Budget from AWAVA’s Chair, Julie Oberin, here
  • There has been some controversy over Brisbane’s 2nd SlutWalk, with some of the original core values being overshadowed
  • Jocelyn Scutt presents this opinion piece on Women’s Leadership in Politics 
  • This interview with Catherine Smith, a survivor of domestic violence, highlights some of the short-falls of the Australian police and justice system.  Catherine was part of the Australian delegation for CSW56 (Commission on the Status of Women) this year and presented at the Australian and Solomon Islands government-sponsored side event on the Impacts of Domestic Violence on Rural Women

And internationally

  • In China, a recent NGO survey showed more than half of respondents had been affected by domestic violence
  • The UK will host a trilateral meeting with women MPs from Pakistan and Afghanistan, focussing on women in politics, gender diversity and forced marriage
  • The CSW56 report with resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission this year is now available – you can access it here

Get Involved

Your chance to make a difference

AWAVA was shocked and disappointed to hear the recent news that one of our Friends & Supporters, Sisters Inside, has been defunded by the Queensland Government.

The National Chair of AWAVA, Julie Oberin, extended the following support to Sisters Inside:

œDebbie Kilroy has been an extremely strong advocate for some of Australia™s most vulnerable women, her work for women in prisons and for Aboriginal women has been amazing and much needed.  AWAVA extends its support to you Debbie, and Sisters Inside, and hopes funding is secured quickly for the vital services you provide.

AWAVA has written a letter of support to the Queensland State Government, urging the reconsideration of this decision. If you want to get involved, (joining over 8,500 supporters at the time of posting) and lend your support, click here to find out how

Have Your Say!

The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse (ADFVC) invites workers with clients affected by domestic violence, during and after a natural disaster, to participate in an online survey – click here to find out more

Call for Papers

The Biennial Australian Women and Gender Studies Conference (21-23 November 2012) is calling for papers by 27 July – click here to find out more

Upcoming Events!

Still time to register

  • The Domestic Violence Resource Centre will hold a forum on their latest discussion paper “”Just Say Goodbye””: parents who kill their children in the context of separation on 31 May, in Melbourne
  • Sowing the Seeds of Change is a forum to raise awareness of the effects of family violence on women with disabilities organized by women with disabilities, being held 19 June  in Victoria
  • WIRE Women™s Information is offering free workshops to women who have experienced financial control in a family violence situation in June.  Please note these workshops are unsuitable for women currently in crisis situations
  • Homeless Persons Week, running 6 -12 August, recognises that the most common reason clients give for seeking assistance, relates to domestic and family violence
  • Dont forget:
    • Preventing and responding to violence against women: Issues, challenges and best practice to be held in Adelaide (South Australia) on 15 June 2012
    • The Association of Women Educators conference being held in July 2012 – for details and registration click here
    • The Violence Against Women Conference on 7,8, 9 August 2012, in Brisbane www.violenceagainstwomenqld.com.au
    • The No To Violence conference in November 2012
    • The 7th Womens Health Conference will be held in Sydney in 2013
    • Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year, 21 March 2013. Find out more here