AWAVA Secretariat, Author at AWAVA

Weekly Round-Up * 17 November

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.

Sydney Protest Against ‘Zoe’s Law’

“‘Zoe’s Law’ if passed will for the first time bring ‘foetal personhood’ into Australian Law. This will undermine women’s rights in NSW, restrict access to medical care for both the foetus and the mother, and further stigmatise pregnancy in NSW.

This Bill is still before the Legislative Council (the upper house of NSW) and could be called for a vote as early as this Thursday (13 Nov 2014).

The last possible day that they can bring the Bill on to a vote is Thursday 20 November 2014, then the Bill will lapse and will not be able to be voted on in this form ever again.

Join us to protect our right to choose by filling the Legislative Council gallery and wear something purple.

TIME: 9:30am
PLACE: Legeslative Council Gallery
WHAT TO WEAR: Purple
WHY: To make sure Politicians vote No to Zoe’s Law

We will know whether the bill will be brought to a vote only days before it happens so be prepared! We will give you as much warning as we have.

Watch over our rights.”

Seminar: Forced adoption: Righting the wrongs of a dark past

“Event Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 – 10:00 to 11:15
Event City: Melbourne
Event Type: Seminar
Event Venue: AIFS Balluk Room

Professor The Honourable Nahum Mushin

AIFS Seminar/Webinar Series

A national apology was offered to people affected by forced adoption on 21 March 2013. In this seminar, Professor Mushin outlines the process leading to the apology, elements of drafting of the document itself and issues that needed to be considered. The essential aspect of any public apology is the concrete measures put in place to overcome the harms and prevent the same from reoccurring. He outlines the tasks of the Working Group he chaired to guide these improvements in services to those affected, and what additional lessons can be learned from past practice.”

For more information, visit: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/seminars/2014/mushin/index.php

Weekly Round-Up * 10 November

Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week, many of the links we share highlight the work being done by activists and organisations to change insidious violence-supporting attitudes in our communities and to prevent men’s violence against women. It is inspiring to see the myriad ways in which women’s rights activists and organisations continue to instigate the social change that is necessary to improve the safety and security of women in our society.

Around the Country

In Queensland, the Domestic Violence Inquiry has heard that counselling hotline DV Connect Queensland receives so many calls for assistance that some go unanswered
[TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, injuries]
In New South Wales, White Ribbon Australia’s ‘Breaking the Silence’ program has been credited with an 80% reduction in violent and aggressive behaviours amongst students at one South Sydney primary school
The naming of Rosie Batty as Victorian of the Year has encouraged more women to tell their stories of surviving domestic violence [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of abuse, suicide]
Police Commissioners from around Australia have empahsised the links between men’s ‘vulgar and violent’ attitudes towards women and the high levels of violence against women throughout the Australia
White Ribbon Australia is considering legal action against the fraudulent ‘White Ribbon’ website launched by A Voice for Men
In Sydney, ABC journalists have spent a night with Fairfield Police to understand the extent and impact of domestic violence within the community [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, abuse]
University of Sydney students have held protests demanding that a robust policy structure be put in place by the university to deal with all complaints about sexual harassment, sexual assault and intimidation
Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia have launched the Full Stop Foundation to implement evidence based primary prevention programs to change the violent attitudes and behaviours that lead to sexual assault and domestic violence [TRIGGER WARNING: Survivor’s reflections, gun violence]
South Australia’s Victims of Crime Commissioner has called on courts to do more to address domestic violence given the extent of its impact across the community

Around the World

In Harlem in the United States, events have been held to ‘shine a light’ on domestic violence in a way that is accessible to communities of colour
“There’s a growing call for a ‘data revolution’ for the post-2015 agenda — not only that data is available, but also that it is disaggregated by sex, ethnicity, age, disability and socio-economic status, to really capture inequalities and disparities”
In Zimbabwe, men are being trained to solve domestic disputes without resorting to violence or abuse[TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
In Palestine, as head of the Palestinian Civil Police Family Protection Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Wafa Khaled Ayyad Muammar is the highest-ranking female officer in the police
In Gambia, the Network Against Gender-based Violence is conducting a campaign to raise awareness of gender-based violence among house helpers, domestic workers and cleaners
Calls are being made for psychiatrists, who are often ‘first responders’ to domestic violence, to receive increased training on how to respond to this violence
In Bangladesh, rates of violence against women spiked in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, suicide]
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has issued practical guidelines on protecting the rights of women asylum-seekers and refugees
Non-profit organisation Women, Action & the Media has partnered with Twitter to develop a new way for people to report gender-based harassment on the platform

Research, Resources and Reports

Our sister alliance the National Rural Women’s Coalition has prepared a FREE kit called Weather the Storm which is designed to support women to prepare for disasters and emergencies
United States advocacy group ‘Know Your IX’ has produced a guide for journalists and editors writing about gender-based violence with specific reference to college campuses
The Policy Press has published a new book, Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls: Educational work with children and young people edited by Jane Ellis and Ravi K. Thiara
Donna Roberts, Peter Chamberlain and Paul Delfabbro have written an article entitled, ‘Women’s Experiences of the Processes Associated with the Family Court of Australia in the Context of Domestic Violence: A Thematic Analysis’

Get Involved!

The Women’s Electoral Lobby has organised a protest on Thursday 13 November in Sydney against the foetal personhood Bill, known as Zoe’s Law, which is set to be reintroduced to the NSW Upper House

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

In Conversation with Julia Gillard

“YWCA Canberra is proud to present an in conversation event with Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, as she discusses her memoir, My Story.

Tickets are now on sale via their website. Members will receive a special rate of $90, and tickets for non-members will be $135.

When: Monday 10 November 2014
6.30pm – 9pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery
Gordon Darling Hall &
Terrace Rooms
King Edward Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600

The event will feature an in conversation session with Julia Gillard, as well as a book signing.”

For more information, visit: https://ywca-canberra.org.au/product/in-conversation-with-julia-gillard/

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence: Day 13

“The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates November 25- International Day Against Violence Against Women- and December 10- International Human Rights Day- in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. The 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:

– raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
– strengthening local work around violence against women
– establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
– providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies
– demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women
– creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women”

For more information, visit: http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/about/campaign-profile

Submissions Open: Australian Government priorities for the 59th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59)

The Office for Women would like to invite all interested individuals, non-government and civil society organisations to provide input into the Australian Government priorities for the 59^thSession on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59), via a written submission process.

CSW59 will focus on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The review (Beijing+20) will also include the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, the first five-year assessment conducted after the adoption of the Platform for Action, which highlighted further actions and initiatives. The session will also address opportunities for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the post-2015 development agenda.

As you may be aware, the position taken by the Australian Government on various issues, guides our engagement in the annual CSW process, particularly during the negotiation of language in the Agreed Conclusions, the focus of discussions with other participating nations, and when determining Australia’s side events. The Office for Women would like to ensure that the views of Australia’s non-government community are taken into consideration during this process.

A template has been created as a guide in order to assist you or your organisation in making a submission. Use of the template (or similar document) is strongly recommended, but not essential. Submissions will be shared with the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women and relevant Departmental officials for their consideration during the whole-of-government consultation process for determining Australian Government negotiation priorities, and may also be used in development of briefings and background material for the delegation.

When drafting your submission please also note the following guidance:

Submissions should be kept to six pages maximum, focussing on the key issues and suggestions for your organisation under one or more of the 12 critical areas under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for action – these are poverty, education and training, health, the economy, power and decision-making, human rights, armed conflict, institutional mechanisms, the environment, media, violence against women and the girl child.
The OfW would prefer to receive one submission per organisation, however, where your organisation has a head office as well as regional sub groups or branches, separate submissions may be made by each

Please send all submissions via email. Submissions are due midnight Sunday 30 November 2014.

Weekly Round-Up * 3 November

Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week, we highlight a variety of opportunities for individuals and organisations to contribute to the elimination of male violence against women. We also highlight a number of stories from activists and organisations who are taking action in their communities and around the world.

It can be overwhelming when we are confronted with the huge scale and entrenched nature of gender-based violence. However, it is inspiring to hear of the countless number of women and men who are devoted to the realisation of gender equality and who work tirelessly to prevent violence against women!

We had the opportunity to meet some of these women and men last Friday 31 October at the Canberra Reclaim the Night march. It was wonderful to walk with so many people from all over Canberra to publicly reject sexual violence and the culture that makes women feel unsafe and vulnerable in public places.

AWAVA staff reclaiming the night with members of the Canberra community

Around the Country

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has lodged a claim at the Fair Work Commission to make a minimum of 10 days of leave available to all workers in Australia who experience domestic violence
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has announced a $3.5 million research program to look into violence against women and children in Australia over the next 2 years
The Queensland Premier’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence has begun its work by emphasising the need to focus on the actions of perpetrators and avoid victim-blaming
Two $1,000 grants have been provided to groups in rural NSW to continue their programs that raise awareness about violence against women
Randwick City Council and NSW Police Force are encouraging fathers and sons to share pictures on social media under the hashtag #ARealManSaysNo to demonstrate their commitment to opposing violence against women
In New South Wales, Constable Genelle Warne has been nominated for Police Officer of the Year for her work as a domestic violence liaison officer in the Blacktown Local Area Command
In Victoria, a number of new domestic violence-related laws have come into force, including one which allows victims to ‘name and shame’ their attackers
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) have rejected claims that they have not adequately addressed historic allegations of abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

Around the World

In India, the ‘Rise’ campaign against violence against women continues to gain support and attention

[TRIGGER WARNING: Images of harassment, assault, sexual violence]

In Spain, thousands of people have participated in a ‘feminist strike’ to protest discrimination and violence against women

In New York, a video created by Hollaback! [TRIGGER WARNING: Street harassment] to highlight everyday street harassment has generated wide-ranging discussions about methods of activism, intersectionality, and how to effectively communicate issues of systemic abuse

Anglican leaders around the world have spoken out against gender-based violence in solidarity with women in preparation for the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign in November

In the UK, victim-blaming and lack of support for survivors continue to result in very low rates of reporting of violence against women

In Uganda, Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Mary Karooro Okurut has called for greater action to address the disproportionate negative impact of the oil industry on rural women

In Turkey, a pilot program where ‘panic buttons’ were issued to women who had experienced domestic violence has been deemed a failure

In Somalia, women continue to experience extremely high rates of violence with little support from the country’s government

In Canada, investigations continue into possible assaults committed by former radio presenter Jian Gomeshi

Research, Resources and Reports

Our sister alliance Equality Rights Alliance (ERA)’s Young Women’s Advisory Group have created a paper on the state of sexuality and respectful relationships education in the national curriculum: Hearing Young Women’s Voices: The Equality Rights Alliance Young Women’s Advisory Group (YWAG) Policy Position on Sexuality Education
A new paper in The International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect has been published, entitled Do family order and neighbor intervention against intimate partner violence protect children from abuse? Findings from Kathmandu
The International Journal of Sexual Health has published an article entitled Experience of forced sex and subsequent sexual, drug, and mental health outcomes: African-American and Hispanic women in the Southeastern United States
Research has been published in the Journal of Law and Medicine by C. Forster entitled Compensating for the harms of family violence: statutory barriers in Australian victims of crime compensation schemes

Get Involved!

The Office for Women would like to invite all interested individuals, non-government and civil society organisations to provide input into the Australian government priorities for the 59th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59), via a written submission
The Women’s Centre for Health Matters (WCHM) is conducting a survey to help find ways to better support people from LGBTIQ communities who have experienced domestic violence. They want to hear from anyone who identifies as LGBTIQ and has experienced domestic violence, as well as people who have supported someone from the LGBTIQ community who is experiencing domestic violence. Click here to complete the survey
On Wednesday 5 November, the Women’s Legal Services NSW Foundation will be hosting a forum on Commercial Surrogacy and Women’s Rights
The Call for Abstracts for the Child Aware Approaches Conference in Melbourne 18-19 May 2015 will close on Friday 14 November
Details have been announced for the webinar consultation for Australia’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council. This is an important opportunity for Australian NGOs to encourage and influence the Australian Government to improve protection and promotion of human rights and fulfil its international obligations and all interested parties are encouraged to attend
There are also some places still available at the Canberra Universal Periodic Review of Rights in-person consultation to be held on 27 November
On 21 November, Flinders University will be hosting Symposium for policy-makers, service providers, researchers, consumers and interested individuals to share knowledge and experiences on enabling social inclusion: gender and disability responsive good governance
Hollaback is working with Cornell University’s ILR School professor Beth Livingston to study the experiences and impacts of street harassment internationally. To get more information about their research or complete their survey online, click here

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

NGO Workshop on Australia’s Universal Periodic Review – Sydney

“Date: Mon, 03/11/2014 – 09:30
Location: Australian Human Rights Commission: Hearing Room 1, Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000

A workshop to share information and insights on the UPR process, discuss key human rights issues and develop collective strategies ahead of Australia’s upcoming UPR

Australia’s upcoming review by the UN Human Rights Council provides an important opportunity for Australian NGOs to encourage and influence the Australian Government to improve the protection and promotion of human rights and fulfil its international obligations. The UPR provides a number of opportunities for NGO involvement. We are working to co-ordinate a Joint NGO Report on behalf of a large coalition of NGOs representing the breadth of civil society in Australia. Experience has shown that we get better outcomes when we coordinate report-writing and advocacy with UN mechanisms.

This NGO workshop is being held in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Participants will share insights and learnings from Australia’s first UPR, discuss progress on the implementation of recommendations from the previous review, and discuss key issues, opportunities and strategies for the upcoming UPR in 2015.

Date: Monday 3 November 2014

Time: 9:30am -12:30pm

RSVP: by Wednesday 29 October”

For more information, visit: http://www.equalityrightsalliance.org.au/event/ngo-workshop-australias-universal-periodic-review-sydney

Reclaim the Night March – Sydney

“Reclaim the Night Sydney will be held at Hyde Park on the 31st October 2014. Reclaim the Night is a global annual protest against gendered violence traditionally held on the last Friday in October each year.

At 6.30pm we will rally, listening to a variety of women speaking on issues from the closures of women’s-only refuges to the rising prevalence of street harrassment (speakers TBA!)

Then we will RECLAIM THE NIGHT, marching through the CBD to raise awareness of the issues facing women in 2014 and make our voices heard.

All are welcome. Gendered violence is not a ‘women’s issue’, it is a human rights issue that requires everyone’s participation. We need to all commit to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.

DATE: Friday 31st October
TIME: 6.30PM
PLACE: Hyde Park North

We can make a difference, but we need to do it together.

*We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which this event is taking place, the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and pay respect to their Elders and families*”

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/350039681824271/

This site is being archived soon. Visit wesnet.org.au for more information.

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Around the Country

Around the World

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