This week has seen plenty of focus on violence against women in the news, with the new Family Violence laws and definitions coming into effect this week – if you’ve missed them, we’ve captured a few of these articles below for you:
- Attorney General, Nicola Roxon, announces changes that will broaden the definition of Family Violence to include stalking, intentional property damage, and harm to pets, reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. The ABC also had this report
- Also in the SMH, this editorial states that violence…must not be tolerated
- The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has reported on Australia on the sale of children and children in armed conflict – read the questions asked of Australia and the responses here. Note: this article contains links to the full Australian report
- Review of Family Law and Child Support System announced by Andrew Wilkie, see this media release from the National Council for Single Mothers and their Children Inc
Around the World
- A new report in Alberta, Canada, says domestic violence prevention makes economic sense
- In the USA, female farm-workers face increased risk of sexual violence
- Over in the UK, The Independent reports on the Prime Minister’s announcement that forced marriage will be made a criminal offence. NGOs caution that prevention and support needs to be strengthened, Australia will need to take notes
In other news
- AWAVA sent a submission in for the Senate Inquiry for the National Children’s Commissioner Bill 2012 welcoming the position
- An interesting opinion piece on the politics of naming victims and survivors from last week
What do you think are the priority actions on VAW and for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women?
We want to know your views on Australia™s performance on, and what Australia™s priorities need to be on these two areas to feed into the NGO’s report for CEDAW. Tell us your views by accessing the survey here before 20 June 2012.
Read more here
Resources
New Resource!! ACSSA have this week released a new resource/fact sheet Asking women about intimate partner sexual violence – a must read and handy reference for anyone working with women – particularly in the health sector
Get Involved!!
New Petition During the week many of you may have seen this article with the Governor General calling for a bravery award, given to a man currently serving prison time for assaulting his partner, to be stripped. A campaign and petition are underway and if you want to join AWAVA and add your signature to the petition, and find out what else you can do to make a difference click here to become involved.
Upcoming Events
Still Time to Register!
- Check out dates and locations for Red Cross Human Trafficking Awareness-Raising Sessions – Sydney now confirmed! 29 and 30 August; Perth and Adelaide dates, times and locations posted today
- Measuring Family Violence in Victoria – Data Workshops are currently being conducted around Victoria
This Month
- Preventing and responding to violence against women: Issues, challenges and best practice in Adelaide (South Australia) on 15 June 2012
- Sowing the Seeds of Change forum to raise awareness of the effects of family violence on women with disabilities organized by women with disabilities, on 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
- Michael Flood will assess debates over men’s and women’s experiences of domestic violence at a free seminar He Hits, She Hits in QLD on 22 June – this talk will also be available via video-link to a number of sites around Australia. Click here for more information and to register
July
- The Association of Women Educators conference being held 3-5 July 2012 – for details and registration click here
August
- Homeless Persons Week, running 6 -12 August, recognises that the most common reason clients give for seeking assistance, relates to domestic and family violence
- The Violence Against Women Conference on 7,8, 9 August 2012, in Brisbane www.violenceagainstwomenqld.com.au
Later
- Take action on Peace Day 21 September, and become part of the largest gathering of people in the name of Peace and non violence. Watch the youtube clip here
- 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