In Victoria, schools will soon offer an elective course on feminism designed by Fitzroy High School’s feminist collective. The course is aimed at male and female secondary students and includes about 30 lessons on systemic sexism, the objectification of women, and the link between gender inequality and violence against women. Teacher Briony O’Keefe says a growing number of boys support the collective, and want to join the class at Fitzroy High, which has reached its maximum intake with about 10 girls and three boys.
Around the country
- Australia’s Black Panther Woman, Marlene Cummins, has shared her story of abuse in a recent SBS Documentary.
- A recent report has found that domestic and family violence is a serious problem for the LGBTI community.
- Heather Douglas and Leigh Goodmark have written about police officers who commit acts of domestic violence and its implication for victims and the larger domestic violence response system.
- Domestic violence offenders may face monitoring through a GPS anklet device to allow the police to respond more promptly. Currently, Tasmania and the ACT are considering implementing this program.
- Also in the ACT, Year 10 students from Harrison School were the first to go through the “Stop. Think. Say No to Family Violence” education program.
- In the small Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands , hundreds of people have marched in solidarity against domestic violence. The community has also introduced a number of programs addressing domestic violence, with the local footy team taking the lead in drafting the domestic violence action plan.
Around the world
- In Somalia, a free hotline addressing sexual violence amongst communities of internally displaced persons (IDPs) was launched last month.
- In Papua New Guinea, a Human Rights Watch report has found “emergency” levels of domestic violence in the country.
- In Canada, the recently announced cabinet has equal numbers of men and women for the first time in the country’s history.
Get involved
- Women’s Services Network (WESNET), AWAVA’s lead agency, is running a four day training workshop for services and agencies working with or supporting women experiencing gender based violence. The workshop will focus on strategies to address technology facilitated abuse and will run on 26, 27 November and 3, 4 December 2015. The training is funded by the ACT Government and is open to participants from the ACT. Register here!
- Wise Angel Foundation, a newly established charity aimed at providing support to families experiencing domestic violence, is holding its launch event on 14 November 2015 in Melbourne. Register here!
- Community Legal Centres NSW is celebrating its 40th birthday on 19 and 20 November 2015. Register here!
- Domestic Violence Action Centre Gala Cocktail party will be held on Monday, 23 November 2015 in Ipswich, Queensland. Register here!
- Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research and ANROWS are conducting a national survey relating to the enforcement of domestic violence protections orders in Australia. Complete the survey here by 30 November 2015.
- The 21st Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International Conference 2016 will be held from 26-28 October 2016. More information here!