For advocates and lobbyists around the world, social media has become a crucial bridge-building and outreach tool. In the global movement to end gender-based violence, international conversations through various social media platforms are vital in order to share practice and knowledge and learn from one another. The Weekly Round-Up is one line of communication we use to tap into the passion, expertise and support provided by you – our readers. Another is our Facebook page. In March 2013, we only had 9 ‘likes’. As of today, our reach has climbed to 475 ‘likes’. We are hoping to reach 500 – a new and exciting milestone for all involved. Our page is constantly updated with news and relevant information. Please join us, so we can grow together and amplify our combined efforts to ensure the safety of women and girls everywhere.
In the news this week, the international reaction against the death penalty handed down to perpetrators in the Delhi Gang rape case rocked the global news cycle. In Australia, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began its public hearings in Sydney. The AWAVA team has and will continue to pierce through the high volume of media coverage to bring you insightful pieces that expose the social determinants and gendered nature of domestic, family and sexual violence.
Around the Nation
- In Sydney, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began its public hearings and these can be watched via livestream
- Journalist and feminist Sarah McKenzie deflated poorly substantiated claims that domestic violence is equally experienced by men and women, stating that “to suggest that domestic violence is a gender-equal crime is plainly incorrect, and dangerous“
- In Port Augusta, the new Foundation to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children held pivotal consultations in order to “engage and involve the community in primary prevention”
- In the Hunter Region, crime experts and women’s refuge centres reported a 17 per cent spike in reported domestic violence
Around the World
- In an article on the Delhi Gang rape, this author argued that the death penalty awarded to the perpetrators in the case “deters (or at least distracts) us from confronting the broader institutional and cultural violence”
- Concerning the same sentencing, UN Women and Amnesty International both separately condemned the use of the death penalty. UN Women called on the Indian government to adopt a comprehensive approach to ending violence against women and Amnesty International demanded “far-reaching procedural and institutional reform“
- Further commentary on the Indian government’s ongoing response to the recent focus on sexual violence revealed the gross inadequacies of the Mumbai resolution in an article entitled ‘Banning lingerie from storefronts won’t solve India’s gang rape problem’
- In Bangladesh, a journalist severely criticised the dispossession of Saudi women’s rights in the name of misappropriated religious norms, arguing “it’s one thing to be protective, and another to relegate a woman’s say in her own life”
- Concerning Afghanistan, UN Women called for justice for the targeted intimidation and killing of women government officials in this compelling statement
- In ‘the Guardian’ newspaper, feminist fireband Soraya Chemaly raised concerns about Facebook’s failure to curtail misogynistic rhetoric and practices whilst also writing an article for ‘The Salon’ uncovering how casual harassment sustains and perpetuates violence against women
- In the US, the Institute for Global Ethics discussed the doubling of sexual assault reports in the US Navy this year which has been attributed to some internal improvements in reporting procedures and workplace culture
- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for, amongst other things, meaningful progress in ensuring the safety of journalists and human rights defenders who train a spotlight on violations of women’s rights
Publications and Resources
- In the US, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) released its 7th consecutive annual census report capturing the number of individuals who sought domestic violence services in a single 24-hour period
- The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse released “Fast Facts 11 – Domestic and Family Violence and People from Immigrant and Refugee Backgrounds“
Get Involved
- The National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT has opened registration for its free ‘Workers Webinar Series‘ which provides crucial information relevant to professionals involved in the areas of domestic, family and sexual violence
- AWAVA sister National Women’s Alliance, the Equality Rights Alliance, has released the Housing Stress-O-Meter – a two minute online survey designed to uncover hidden housing stress in Australian communities. The intersectionality between women and children’s experiences of violence and housing stress makes this is incredibly important work
- In a region-wide event for Hume in NSW, the Goulburn Valley Family Violence Prevention Network is hosting a forum on “Responding to the Abuse of Older Women and Men” on Wed 9 October 2013 (9:30am – 3:00pm) focussed on relevant legislation and key support services
- The Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS) has three upcoming events. There is a fundraiser with internationally acclaimed speaker Johnella Bird scheduled for Tuesday 29 October 2013 from 3:00-5:30pm in Doncaster, Victoria for which registration closes on Friday 18 October 2013. There are also two workshops facilitated by Vikki Reynolds – one called ‘Resisting Burnout’ on Wednesday 9 October from 9:40am-4:00pm and another called ‘Justice Doing and Solidarity in Community Work’ on Friday 11 October from 9:30am-4:00pm. Registration for both closes on Tuesday 1 October. Please email [email protected] for more information on any of these events.
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only