Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week, we highlight perspectives on the prevention of men’s violence against women from services, survivors, allies and also perpetrators. The role of pervasive sexist attitudes in the continuation of violence against women in our communities is undeniable. Therefore, it is important that we address these harmful attitudes when responding to gendered violence. Reflecting on what responses are successful in preventing violence and what responses are not is crucial and we must constantly undertake this process of analysis and reflection to ensure our responses to gendered violence address the root causes of this violence and are effective in reducing and ultimately preventing this violence.
Around the Country
- The UN Committee Against Torture has stated that Australia, as a signatory to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, has an obligation to take action on preventing violence against women in Australia
- In Victoria, Police Commissioner Ken Lay has launched an investigation into sexual harassment and violence against women within the ranks of Victoria Police
- Community justice groups have raised concerns that reduced funding for community legal centres [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of abuse, violence, financial abuse] will prevent the effective implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children
- In New South Wales, the NRL has suspended South Sydney Rabbitohs player Kirisome Auva’a until August next year after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend. The NRL’s decision to suspend Auva’a follows public criticism of the Rabbitohs who failed to adequately respond to the incident. The Rabbitohs response also drew criticism from country clubs who are participating in the Tackling Violence program [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
- ABC Radio journalists have spoken to a man who admits to using violence against his partner and is working on changing his behaviour [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
Around the World
- In India, a survey has found that 6 in 10 men are willing to admit to using violence against their wives or partners
- After the revocation of ‘pick-up artist’ Julian Blanc’s Australian visa, similar efforts have grown around the globe as people express their disgust at his advocating of racism and violence against women [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, slurs, sexual violence]
- In the United States, lawyers for Bill Cosby have said that the comedian will not comment on the numerous allegations of sexual assault that have been made against him by more than 13 women since 2002
- In Nigeria, a national action plan is being developed to address the intersection between gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS
- In Canada, the continuing investigation into sexual harassment by Jian Ghomeshi has prompted discussion of changes in culture required to prevent such behaviour [TRIGGER WARNING: Examples of victim-blaming] and declarations of admiration for the women who are speaking out
- In New Zealand, an independent inquiry has estimated the cost of domestic violence and child abuse in the country as $80 billion over the next ten years
- In Malawi, Muslim women activists are calling for stronger messages from the judiciary about the unacceptability of gender-based violence
- Musician Feist has donated $10,000 for the creation of a documentary on violence against women
- In the United States, the White House’s ‘It’s On Us’ campaign has released another video targeting bystanders to prevent college sexual assaults [TRIGGER WARNING: Images of implied sexual assault]
Research, Resources and Reports
- The journal, Feminist Media Studies, has published an article entitled ‘#YesAllWomen: Intersectional Mobilization Against Sexual Assault is Radical (Again)’ by Michelle Rodina-Colocino
- Sexual Health has published an article entitled ‘Experiences of sexual coercion in a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships’ by Richard O. de Visser et al
- The Journal of Interpersonal Violence has published a paper entitled ‘Survivor-Defined Practice in Domestic Violence Work: Measure Development and Preliminary Evidence of Link to Empowerment’ by Lisa A. Goodman et al
- Amanda George and Bridget Harris have published research entitled ‘Landscapes of violence: women surviving family violence in regional and rural Victoria’ online
- Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has released the first edition of its fortnightly newsletter
Get Involved!
- The Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) is calling for papers for the 9th Australasian Women and Policing Conference being held in 2015
- ANROWS is currently recruiting a Research Manager (temporary maternity leave cover for up to 12 months) to lead the ongoing development and implementation of the ANROWS research and knowledge translation and exchange functions
- No More Deaths and Fair Agenda have created a petition calling for candidates in the upcoming Victorian election to commit to a set of actions to address domestic and family violence. The petition can be signed here
**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.