Welcome to the latest edition of the Weekly Round-Up. This has been a week of considerable developments in the preventing violence against women sector, in particular with the launch of ANROWS – Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. ANROWS forms an integral part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children. Its establishment is a key step towards realising the rights of women and children to feel and be safe in their communities.
ANROWS CEO Heather Nancarrow speaking at the launch
Around the Country
- At the launch of ANROWS this morning, Minister Kevin Andrews spoke about realities of violence against women
- The Foundation to Prevent Violence Against Women and Their Children is currently hiring
- In the Northern Territory, calls are being made for greater support for Aboriginal women experiencing violence
- In Bundaberg, arts group Creative Regions are gearing up to perform stories told by survivors of domestic violence as part of a new play
[TRIGGER WARNING: descriptions of violence against children]
Simone O’Brien, a survivor of domestic violence, has spoken out about her story and experiences [TRIGGER WARNING: descriptions of violence]
Women with disabilities continue to experience violence at extremely high rates and are often not believed when they speak out about their experiences
Senator Larissa Waters has spoken in Parliament about the importance of taking decisive action to address violence against women [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
Migrant women continue to have little support when they experience violence
Family violence groups have expressed outrage at the funding levels committed by the Victorian Government
Australian doctors are being called upon to do more to help patients that they suspect may be experiencing violence
Around the World
- In Papua New Guinea, women are speaking out about the horrific levels of violence they experience [TRIGGER WARNING: descriptions of violence, sexual violence, and sexual violence against children]
- In the United States, First Lady Michelle Obama has given a Mother’s Day address which reflected on the kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian school girls last month
- A US photographer is displaying a series of photographs of a man violently assaulting his partner in an effort to raise awareness about violence against women [TRIGGER WARNING: Images of family violence]
- In Ireland, a Senator has called for a full debate in the Seanad of violence against women and gender based violence
Research and Reports
- A study released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found that judges and lawyers need additional training to avoid revictimising victims and survivors in court
- The Australian Institute of Family Studies has also released ‘The good practice guide to Child Aware Approaches: Keeping children safe and well’
- In New Zealand, researchers have found that domestic and family violence is costing the economy millions of dollars
- ‘The Trauma and Homelessness Initiative Research Findings’ have been released by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only