The National Women’s Alliances’ Chairs and Program Managers’ mini forum in Canberra last week was a good opportunity to share achievements, workplan activities and work together on collaborative projects across the Alliances, including preparing for CSW57 and planning Parallel Events. Preparing for CSW57? Click here to see the latest from the NGO Committee on the Status of Women. Applications for Parallel Events close Monday 17 December.
Around the country:
- An article on The Conversation argues that reporting on violence against women is not up to par
- Check out 16 Days of Activism activities from the Domestic Violence Legal Workers Network in their 16 days of activisms against men’s violence towards women 2012 zine and the fantastic blog by Kate Ravenscroft with a post a day for each of the 16 Days of Activism
- The Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and other Matters) Bill 2012 was introduced to the Victorian Parliament. Read Victoria’s Attorney General™s Speech here and the explanatory memorandum here. The amendments:
- create new indictable offences for contravention of a family violence intervention order (FVIO) or a family violence safety notice (FVSN), with maximum penalties of 5 years imprisonment
- extend the period of protection offered by a FVSN before it is required to return for mention in the Magistrates’ Court from 72 to 120 hours
- enable the expansion of the court-ordered men’s behaviour change program
Internationally:
- Australia’s Foreign Minister announces funding for domestic violence programs in Papua New Guinea
- Violence against women is becoming more extreme in Afghanistan
- South Sudan focusses on stopping gender based violence and ending early marriage
- In Nigeria, musicians have come together to launch a new album to raise awareness of violence against women
- In India, laws do not recognise marital rape
- From the US, 16 Day Challenge includes a focus on Invisible Women: Violence Against Women with Disabilities
- Read an interesting online blog from Ally Fogg on why men rape and why they don’t
- Read what the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery has to say about forced marriage
- The UK outlines the steps it is taking to end Female Genital Mutiliation and TrustLaw reports that a campaigner believes Senegal will be the first country in Africa to end female genital cutting
- Still in the UK, and a new report highlights the links between legalised prostitution and human trafficking
Resources and Research
- Avon has launched the Communications Xchange – which is a great source of material and resources from around the world. You can also upload your own res0urces to share with others in the sector across the world
- This ACSSA Resource Sheet summarises the available statistical information about the nature and extent of sexual assault and abuse in Australia
- AHURI Report on Policy and Practice Innovations aimed at preventing women and children from becoming homeless as a result of domestic and family violence. The mains findings of the report (based on Homelessness Australia summary) are:
- That integrative responses are essential in order for women and children to remain either safely in the family home or at least in their communities
- That there are key lessons from the UK experience that could drive improved housing outcomes in Australia with a strong focus on homelessness prevention and effective criminal justice/safety responses
- That enabling children to remain safely in their communities improves educational outcomes and emotional wellbeing/resilience
Upcoming Events
New!!
- Registration is now open for the ChildAware Approaches Conference being held 11 -12 April in Melbourne. Closing date for abstracts is 10 December
- City of Melbourne Stakeholder forum to discuss ending violence against women, 14 December 9.00-12.30pm
January 2013
- Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra, closing date extended until 31 January 2013
February
- 18- 20 February 2013: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held in Canberra
Later
- 21 March 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, . Find out more here
- 28-30 April 2013: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference: Stand Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA. Put it in your diary!
- ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them
Internationally:
- 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls