This is the last round-up for 2012 as it takes a short break over the Christmas and New Year period. The AWAVA team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our subscribers for their ongoing support and feedback during the year, and wish everyone all the best for 2013!
Around the country:
- Prime Minister Gillard announced a National Summit and Legal Review as part of the Federal Government’s response to FGM, see Prime Minister’s media release and The Age article on FGM
- A Melbourne coroner is calling for a hotline for doctors who believe their patients are trapped by domestic violence following the death of Lynette Phillips in 2007
- A landmark pilot study has found paramedics need more training to support victims of domestic violence
- NSW Attorney General announces a new NSW Domestic Violence Justice Strategy
And internationally:
- In Scotland, a study shows that half of Scottish rape cases do not progress beyond the policing stage; read this article on the excuses society makes for rape and proposal for tougher sentences for rapists and other sex offenders in England and Wales in recognition of the long-term psychological harm caused
- Preparations for CSW57 are in full flow with policy-makers and survivors gathering at UN forum on ending violence against women
- From the UK, Women’s Aid domestic violence campaign: Would you turn a blind eye? uses World’s first 3D ‘audience-editing’ advert where you can view different events with each eye – worth watching
Resources and Research
Some interesting reports, research and fact-sheets recently published are well worth a read:
- Innovative practices of Australian rural and remote practitioners working in the Sexual Assault Sector
- Addressing women’s victimisation history in custodial settings
- UK Report: Sexting: An Exploration of Practices, Attitudes and Influences
- Global Report on Trafficking in Persons
- The Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report (2011-12) shows domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness in Australia. One-third (34%) of clients had experienced domestic or family violence. The majority of these (78%) were female and one-fifth (21%) were less than 10 years of age.
- Victoria’s Department of Health Elder Abuse Prevention and Response community education resources include:
- Fact sheet: What is elder abuse?
- Fact sheet: Financial abuse
- Postcard
- Wallet “”help”” card
Upcoming Events
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: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held in Canberra
March
- 21 March: 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
April
- 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
- 28-30 April: 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