Welcome to the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up! This week, the Australian Human Rights Commission has released its Audit Report: the final report of its Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick chaired the review, working passionately and meticulously to compile the huge amount of research necessary to complete this immensely important undertaking. As a result of the review process, the Australian Defence Force has successfully moved to an environment where significant progress has been made to “improve gender diversity and enhance capacity” on an institutional scale. The Commissioner has urged the Defence Force to continue building on this momentum into the future.
Around the Country
- Attention and support is growing for gender-based violence prevention programs being delivered in schools
- The important role of bystanders has been highlighted with a call for people to take action if they witness violence against women
- Martin McKenzie-Murray writes about the day-to-day work of domestic violence services
- Reports of mobile technology being used to stalk and harass are continuing to increase around Australia
- In NSW, Labor is seeking to amend provocation laws to better protect victims of domestic violence
- A courageous woman has spoken out after going into hiding following the release on bail of her violent ex-partner [TRIGGER WARNING: video of domestic violence attack]
- The Chair of the Foundation to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children, Natasha Stott Despoja AM, has welcomed the Northern Territory Government’s support for the Foundation
- Executive Director of UN Women Australia Julie McKay has been appointed as Gender Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force
Around the World
- In Malawi, the National Community Policing Office have announced a significant drop in rates of gender-based violence between 2012 and 2013
- In the United States, a growing number of women’s shelters and refuges are allowing women to bring pets with them
- In South Africa, a pilot 24-hour call centre program has been launched to assist victims of gender-based violence around the country
- In Somaliland, UN Women have launched a three year program in collaboration with the Government to promote gender equality and end violence against women
- In Fiji, police have participated in a week-long training course on gender, violence against women and human rights
- Former US President Jimmy Carter has issued “a call to action to end the abuse and subjugation of women”
- The United States Supreme Court has upheld a law barring people convicted of ‘minor domestic violence offences’ from possessing firearms
Research and Reports
- From the Australian Human Rights Commission: Audit Report – Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force
- From the Australian Institute of Criminology, Alexandra Gannoni and Tracy Cussen: ‘Same-sex intimate partner homicide in Australia’
- Researchers have been able to release preliminary results from a survey into the long-term effects of domestic and family violence on women
- From The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault– The exception that proves the rule: Female sex offending and the gendered nature of sexual violence
Get Involved
- White Ribbon Australia, in collaboration with Youth Action, has launched a survey of youth attitudes towards domestic, family and intimate partner violence. The survey should be completed by those aged 16-25, takes 20 minutes and is completely anonymous.
- Dr Angela Spinney will be presenting the next 1800RESPECT webinar ‘Exploring practical ways of helping women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence to stay safely in their home‘. Register here
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only