Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week, the number of women who have been murdered by men across the country has risen to 40. However, we have also seen some positive steps in our response to this violence. The ACT Government has announced the appointment of Vicki Parker to the role of domestic violence coordinator-general. Ms. Parker will be responsible for coordinating the Territory’s response to domestic violence. In New South Wales domestic violence survivors will now be able to give evidence via audio or video link, meaning the no longer have to confront perpetrators of violence in court. AWAVA looks forward to ongoing action at the Commonwealth and State and Territory level to effectively address violence against women.
Around the Country
- In South Australia, a woman who was found murdered in a storeroom below the Business SA building was fleeing domestic violence.
- In Tasmania, the State Government has allocated an addition $800,000 to tackling family violence.
- Domestic violence survivor Angela Ivancevic has spoken out about husband’s domestic violence. [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence against women, family violence]
- The Australian Council of Trade Unions has used its submission to the Victorian Family Violence Royal Commission to call for domestic violence leave to be made available to every worker.
- Bellinda Kontominas has written about the silent epidemic of domestic violence in lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, and intersex relationships. [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of domestic violence]
- In New South Wales, a 37 year old teacher is facing more than 30 charges of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated sexual intercourse after her allegedly has sexual relationships with two underage students.
- In Victoria, the AFL Western District Region facilitated a White Ribbon Round last weekend to increase awareness of violence against women.
- In response to the Government’s call for a conversation on citizenship rights of terrorists Jenna Price has called on the Government to shift its focus to the epidemic of ‘family terrorism.’
- Shannon Fentiman has written about 5 phrases that should not be used when discussing domestic violence.
- In the Australian Capital Territory, 40 year 9 and 10 students have participated in a program to promote healthy relationships and increase awareness of domestic violence.
- Laura McNally has written about pornography, violence and sexual entitlement. [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence against women, sexual assault, threats of violence]
- The Equality Rights Alliance have launched their survey about young women’s views on sex education.
- Women’s rights activists call for tax reform to address the growing number of homeless older women.
- The Commonwealth Governments has released its Women’s Money Toolkit, a free online resource to provide women with knowledge and confidence to manage their finances and achieve their financial goals.
Around the World
- Ireland has become the first country in the world to introduce full civil marriage equality for all its people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
- In Bangladesh, NGO’s are working to break down the cultural norms that underpin high rates of domestic violence.
- In India, UN Women recently launched a pilot project that aims to train female military officers to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict.
- A Swedish charity has developed ‘abused emoji’ in an attempt to help domestic violence victims to communicate their abuse.
- In India, a young generation of men want to address gender inequality and violence against women throughout the country.
Get Involved!
- The Light in our Lives candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence will take place on from 5:45-8pm on Sunday 21 June at Queensbridge Square, Southbank, Melbourne.
- The Equality Rights Alliance is looking for women between the ages of 16-21 to complete their survey on young women’s views on sex education.
- Registrations are open for the International Feminist Journal of Politics Conference 18-19th June, which will take place at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
- Anti-Poverty Week will take place from 11-17 October 2015. For more information on how to get involved visit http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/.
- Registrations are open for The Australian Stop Domestic Violence Conference, which is being facilitated by the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association in Canberra on 7-9 December, 2015.