Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. Many of the links we have shared this week highlight the interconnectedness and intersectionality of violence against women. The conversations and actions taking place around the world are crucial if we are to prevent and eliminate violence against women. From violence against women with disabilities; to violence against women in culturally diverse communities; to relationships to violence in the trans* community; as well as many other intersecting identities and communities, gender-based violence is a key topic of discussion.
Around the Country
- Former Governor-General Quentin Bryce has been appointed chair of a new taskforce addressing domestic violence in Queensland
- In the ACT, a new scheme has been introduced to assist women with disabilities who experience sexual assault and domestic violence
- The Conversation has launched a series of articles with a particular focus on domestic violence, including: sexist media workplaces and poor reporting on violence against women; an analysis of the question ‘why doesn’t she just leave?’; and many others
- Current regulations around spousal visas are contributing to the exploitation and abuse of women
- In Bunbury, domestic violence victims are being provided with mobile phones to help with their recovery
- Intimate partner violence and homicide is an ‘everyday event’ in Australia [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, gun violence]
- The Fitzroy High School Feminist Collective continue to draw praise after their successful Kickstarter campaign which raised over 4 times their $3,000 goal
- Debra Byrne has used social media to appeal for witnesses of her being sexually assaulted during her time on Young Talent Time [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of sexual violence, child abuse]
- Professor Rachel Jewkes has spoken about the necessity of research into why men perpetrate violence against women [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, attempted justification of violence]
Around the World
- Evidence is growing of links between intimate partner violence and HIV infection rates, as well as of the fact that reducing intimate partner violence is also necessary for comprehensive HIV prevention
- Malta is set to ratify the Istanbul Convention on Violence Against Women in November
- In the United States, a man who attempted to come to the aid of a group of women being harassed on the street was attacked and severely injured by the harassers
- In Tanzania, journalists have been condemned for using images of victims and survivors of gender based violence in ways that do not respect the subject’s human rights or dignity
- In Peru, the Government is taking steps to criminalise street harassment
- In the UK, a move away from funding refuges has led to concern that women may be forced to return to violent partners [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, sexual violence, abuse]
- In India, a fashion photographer has drawn condemnation with his photography series ‘The Wrong Turn’ which is said to glorify violence against women [TRIGGER WARNING: Images of violence, descriptions of violence, sexual violence]
- In the United States, new legislation is being considered to reduce availability of guns to people who have been convicted of domestic violence [TRIGGER WARNING: Gun violence]
Research, Resources and Reports
- Over 100 submissions that were received by the Senate Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia are now available online
Get Involved!
- JERA International is currently undertaking the Coordinated Australian NGO 20 year review of the Beijing Platform for Action. Information will be gathered from civil society groups and individuals throughout July through until September, 2014. The review of the BPFA takes place each 5 years and in 2015 we will be celebrating the 4th complete review of the BPFA and the 20th year of the existence of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The online survey can be found at http://esurv.org/?u=Beijing20
- The Foundation to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children is currently recruiting three Project Implementation Leaders as part of their Respectful Relationships Education in Secondary Schools project. Applications close at 4pm on 22nd August 2014
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.