Victoria to introduce domestic violence leave and more** Weekly Round-Up 24 August 2015

Around the Country

• Support workers have called for reforms to the legal system for sexual assault cases.
• The Legal Services Commissioner has expressed concerns about the use of technology in domestic violence cases, stating that almost 80 per cent of domestic violence cases involve the use of technology.
• A number of recent reports, including a UN report, have shown that Australia has one of the highest rates of reported sexual assault in the world.
• Melissa Jeltsen has compiled stories of six women and their experience of domestic violence.
  [This piece includes descriptions of violence and sexual assault that may be distressing]
• In Queensland, the government has adopted all 140 recommendations made in the Not Now, Not Everreport. For commentary on the prospects of this strategy, read Janet Ransley and Christine Bond’s analysis in The Conversation.
• In Victoria, the government will introduce Respectful Relationship Programs in 30 Victorian schools as part of a pilot program starting next year.
• Also in Victoria, a study undertaken by Victoria Care shows high rates of sexual assault involving children in the state’s residential care system.
• In Tasmania, support groups have congratulated the government on its “nation-leading” family violence plan as they await details and break down of funding.
• In the ACT, government workers including bus drivers, rangers and police, will be given domestic violence training as part of the second phase of the government’s Prevention of Violence Against Women Strategy.

Around the World

• In Papua New Guinea, a free domestic violence hotline has been launched in response to high rates of violence against women and girls.
• In Colombia, officials recently passed a law criminalising femicide – defined as the killing of a woman by a man because of her gender.
• In Cambodia, government and activists are harnessing the potential of technology and social media to address and prevent violence against women.
• In California, United States, a new law has been passed to afford greater protection to transgender individuals who are victims of hate crimes.

Research, Resources and Reports

• The Senate’s domestic violence report was tabled on Thursday last week. Recommendations including domestic violence training for judges and domestic violence leave can be found here.

Get Involved!

• YWCA Canberra is looking for a Communications and Advocacy Officer. Apply here!
• The Damned Whores and God’s Police 40 Years On Conference on Anne Summer’s seminal text by the same name will be held at the University of Technology Sydney, from 21 – 23 September 2015. Register here!
• The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
• The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
• The Festival of THE Rural Woman, a free online global event, is running from 12 – 15 October 2015. Register here!
• The Canberra Community Sleepout will be held on 16 October 2015. Find out here how you can get involved and help combat homelessness in Canberra!
• The 3^rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held in The Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015. More information here!