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So far AWAVA Secretariat has created 504 blog entries.

Warrior Whispering – Qld Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum 2014

“Welcome to the 10th Annual Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum: Warrior Whispering!The forum will be held on Wednesday May 7 and Thursday May 8, 2014 at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Alfred Street, Mackay. Last year’s Hard Yarns session was very popular, demonstrating that the audience, as well as the designated speakers, had a lot to contribute to our forum. Once again we have spaced our program so participants can have their say about each area of discussion.

Your registration fee includes the famous forum dinner, and don’t forget to get your songs (and ears!) ready for the karaoke. Registration fees (which include the forum dinner and entertainment) for 2014 are:

$450 for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and
$500 for all others.

Once again numbers are capped at 100 participants to ensure that all voices are heard. Eighty of the 100 places are designated for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants and 20 places for non-Indigenous participants who work predominantly with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.”

For more information, visit: http://noviolence.com.au/forum2014/registration.html

Eroticising Inequality: porn, young people and sexuality

“Over the past decade or so, pornography has become both more mainstream and more hardcore. For young people growing up in this era of ever-new and accessible technology it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to pornography.

Consumption – particularly for young men – has become normalised. And the ways young people understand and experience gender and sex are being influenced by what they – or their partners or peers – observe in porn. This has serious implications for young people’s capacity to negotiate free and full consent, for mutual respect, and for gender equality.

This training will develop participants’ knowledge of these issues and assist them to reflect on the implications for the individuals, organisations and communities with whom they work. The training has been developed and is led by Maree Crabbe.

When
Wednesday, 7 May 2014 – 9:30am to 4:30pm”

To learn more, visit: http://www.dvrcv.org.au/course/non-accredited/eroticising-inequality-porn-young-people-and-sexuality-0

Annual Candle Lighting Vigil – Adelaide

“To coincide with the other Australian states’ Candle Lighting Ceremonies, that honour those who have died because of Domestic violence, the Coalition of Women’s DV Services of SA will be holding their inaugural Annual Candle Lighting Vigil on the 7th of May 2014 and subsequently on the first Wednesday of May each year.

We invite you to gather at the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, opposite Elder Park at 5.30 pm. There will be a short address from Professor Anne Edwards, Chairperson of the Australian Centre for Excellence, followed by reflections from family members who have lost loved ones because of domestic violence.

Candles will be provided for the candle lighting and there will be a short performance by the WOW (World of Women) Choir.”

Weekly Round-Up * 4 May

This week AWAVA said a final farewell to our outgoing Program Manager Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn. Trish will be much missed for all her work in amplifying and harnessing member expertise so that AWAVA continues to deliver best-practice VAW policy advice and advocacy. We wish her the best for her future endeavours!

Our Chairperson, Ms Julie Oberin along with our Executive Committee member Ms Margaret Augerinos (National Committee member WESNET and CEO, Centre for Non Violence ) and Advisory Group member Ms Moo Baulch (Project Manager, Domestic Violence NSW ) were in Canberra to see Trish off.

Around the Country

A Victorian pilot program, Strengthening Risk Management Demonstration Projects, has received an additional $4.5 million in State Government funding for its work with family violence and human services, police, corrections and the Courts
WIRE Women’s Information has released a new information booklet for people dealing with financial abuse
Services continue to urge the Federal Government to maintain their funding through the National Partnership Agreement on Housing (NPAH) beyond the current 2015 cut-off date
In the Northern Territory, a 24 year old man stands accused of murdering his wife
In Lismore, a man is charged with assaulting his partner while she held their one-year-old child
[TRIGGER WARNING: Description of violence]
In Queensland, the Courts’ average case load for domestic violence orders is 100 per day, and at least a third of these are simply ignored by the offenders in question

Around the World

In Ghana, Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Ms. Paulina Abayage, has urged the media to take an active role in preventing intimate partner violence
In Zambia, the US and UK Governments have pledged an additional $10 million to provide health services for survivors of gender-based violence
In Nigeria, grief and worry continues for the over 200 school girls kidnapped two weeks ago with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls trending around the world
Wang Min, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, has expressed condemnation of sexual violence against women in armed combat
In Europe, the ‘Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence’, or ‘Istanbul Convention’, is set to come into force on 1 August this year
In the United States, a 16-year-old girl has been killed by a classmate after rejecting his invitation to attend a prom [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
In South Africa, the trial of Oscar Pistorius continues to draw attention from the general public
Jessica Valenti has written about the current hesitation on the part of many to use the word ‘rape’ [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of rape and sexual assault]

Get Involved!

Researchers at the University of Melbourne are seeking women who may have experienced fear of a partner or ex-partner in the past 6 months to participate in giving feedback on a web-based relationship and wellbeing tool they are developing

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

Fundraising Dinner: Real Men Wear Pink

“Where: Terrace Bar and Grill, Epping Club, 45-47 Rawson Street, Epping, NSW.
When: Friday 2nd May, 2014
Bookings essential
Dress Code: Smart casual. The theme is pink, so wear something of that colour to show your support!

As part of the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, The Sydney Feminists are hosting a relaxed and fun social dinner for feminists and their allies to come along to. There is no entry cost as members pay for their own meals, however there will be the opportunity to buy raffle tickets for some fun prizes, with all the money going towards Joe Salemi’s efforts to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.”

For more information, visit: http://sydneyfeminists.webs.com/rmwp-social-dinner

Free Learning Session: Beyond Survival – Supporting People Affected by Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

‘The Royal Commission investigating institutional responses to child sexual abuse has invited survivors to private and public hearings to share their experiences. This is important for survivors and their families, friends and colleagues as it provides the opportunity for support and healing. This learning session will assist people supporting those affected in any way by the findings of the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse.

The learning session will include:

– An overview of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
– Information on the potential short and long term effects of sexual abuse on healthy child development and subsequent adult emotional health and behaviour
– A forum for understanding and empathising with those impacted by institutional child sexual abuse
– How you can support survivors of institutional child sexual abuse
– Understanding the nature of professional therapeutic support and how it can assist survivors of institutional child sexual abuse
– Knowledge of appropriate services and supports within your community
– Skills on how to develop self-care when supporting someone who has experienced institutional child sexual abuse

Suitable Audience:

Supporters Family members, friends, colleagues, peers and/or carers who are supporting
people affected by institutional child sexual abuse’

For more information, visit: http://www.rasa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ADELAIDE-SUPP-28-04-14.pdf

Weekly Round-Up * 25 April

Welcome to another edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up! We are delighted to announce that the National Women’s Alliances will be reporting back on their attendance at the fifty-eighth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The CSW report back Forum in Sydney will allow you to hear directly from women who attended the Commission on the Status of Women in New York this year. We will discuss themes and trends emerging from the negotiations and examine options for further action. Please register your attendance by 2nd May 2014

The last two weeks have also been a time for somber reflection as Australia reels from homicides linked to Domestic and Family Violence. The brutal killing of Sunshine mother Fiona Warzywoda and the devastating murders of little Savannah and Indianna are stark reminders of how imperative it is for us all to challenge and change the attitudes that let violence against women flourish unabated.

In response, AWAVA member organisation DV NSW have launched their “No Excuse” Campaign. The campaign is a multi-pronged reaction to the violent and tragic deaths of five women and children over the 2014 Easter weekend. DVNSW CEO, Tracy Howe states: “Australia has had a gutful, enough is enough. Too many lives are being lost and there is no excuse for violence against women and children, ever.” DV NSW is calling for all Australians to sign an open letter petition expressing their outrage at the deaths and is petitioning our leaders to recognise domestic and family violence as a national emergency, to strongly condemn these acts of violence and to take urgent action.

Around the Country

The accused killer (and father) of two young girls in Watsonia has been remanded into custody pending a committal hearing: DV Vic CEO Fiona McCormack has spoken about the factors surrounding violence against women such as this when it occurs in communities
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay has called for a compassionate and consistent response to victims and survivors of domestic violence
Tom Meagher, husband of Jill Meagher, has spoken out about the ‘danger of the monster myth’ when it comes to violence against women
Anna Bligh, former state premier and CEO of YWCA NSW, has called on men to make domestic violence unacceptable
The death of a woman in Maryville, NSW is being treated as suspicious by police
In Queensland, two women have been killed in separate incidents over the long weekend
Clementine Ford persuasively argues that it is time we stopped asking why women don’t leave abusive partners, but why men harm women
“The number of family violence-related homicides has been drastically understated until recently, Victoria Police has admitted”
Courageous Rosie Batty, mother of Luke Batty, “is using her energy to campaign against domestic violence, so that no mother needs to suffer again what she went through“
John Elder writes about “The brutal price of domestic violence“

Around the World

From the UK, Stephanie David Arais writes: “Ms Manjoo is right; a ‘visibly sexist’ country is a sexist ‘boys’ club’ culture, one in which women and girls are clearly disadvantaged”
An interesting article on the Feminist and Women’s Studies Association’s (UK & Ireland) blog makes the case for why men should support feminism
In Saudi Arabia, a proposed fine for domestic violence has provoked mockery from men opposing the bill
In Afghanistan, child marriage and domestic violence continue to cause death and injury to a huge proportion of women
In Fiji, the People’s Democratic Party has placed a significant emphasis on tackling violence against women in the lead up to the next election
In Indonesia, calls are being made to raise the minimum legal marriage to 18
Sonia Saraiya asks ” Why are the Game Of Thrones showrunners rewriting the books into misogyny?”

Get Involved

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is looking into child sexual abuse, for people with disabilities, that happened where government and private institutions were responsible for children, and encourages all survivors to tell their story
Submissions have opened for the National Children’s Commissioner’s examination of intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children and young people

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

SmartSafe

“Based on Victorian research, this one-day program explores how mobile technologies can be used by perpetrators of family violence as a tool of abuse as well as how mobile technologies can support women’s safety. Workers will learn how to identify and implement mobile technology-related safety planning for women.

Thursday, 24 April 2014 – 9:30am to 4:30pm”

To learn more, visit: http://www.dvrcv.org.au/course/non-accredited/smartsafe

Weekly Round-Up * 17 April

Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up, with all of the latest news and links from the sector.

The AWAVA team would like to wish you all a happy and safe long weekend. We would also like to thank our outgoing Program Manager, Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn and wish her all the best. We are delighted to be able to announce that we are currently in the process of recruiting a new team member to fill Trish’s shoes. You can view an advertisement for the Program Manager position here.

We will be back with another edition of the Round-Up next week!

Around the Country

A woman has been killed by her abusive partner on a public street in Melbourne
[Trigger Warning: description of violent attack] A media statement about this attack has been released by the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria
A nurse is accused of sexually assaulting elderly patients in a Sydney hospital
Karl Stefanovic has spoken out in favour of action to eliminate violence against women
‘A Perth taxi driver has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five wheelchair-bound women in his vehicle’
A ‘spiritual healer’ from Sydney has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his clients
New data has shown that Dubbo has had twice the reports of domestic violence than the average for NSW
Advocates have expressed concern that ‘homeless women fleeing domestic violence or suffering severe mental illness will be left without specialist support in a radical overhaul of homelessness services in NSW’

Around the World

Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, has condemned the ‘boys’ club’ culture prevalent in Britain
Although the Egyptian constitution explicitly protects women’s rights, Egyptian women have yet to see changes to behaviours on the ground
In the lead up to New Zealand’s general election in September, political parties are being called upon to commit to making a stand for women’s rights
Musician Flavor Flav has pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges
In the United States, a woman is bringing a legal claim against fast-food restaurant Chipotle for discrimination on the basis of her status as a domestic violence victim
In Botswana, Kelebogile Kgabi, Deputy Permenant Secretary of the Botswana Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, has expressed disappointment at the continuing prevalence of gender based violence

Research and Reports

The Australian Council of Social Service has released a report on the level of funding uncertainty of vital community organisations
The Mercy Foundation has released a new report: ‘Older women’s pathways out of homelessness in Australia’
No To Violence has released a report: ‘Domestic violence perpetrator programs: Education, therapy, support, accountability ‘or’ struggle?’

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

Farewell to Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn

It is with sadness that we inform you that Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn, AWAVA’s committed Program Manager, has resigned. Trish has made the difficult decision to move on, seeking new challenges and opportunities in the preventing violence against women sector.

Trish joined AWAVA in March 2013 as Policy Officer and was appointed Program Manager in October 2013. Over the last year, she has been focused on amplifying member expertise so that AWAVA continues to deliver best-practice VAW policy advice and advocacy and has grown AWAVA’s international and domestic profile and reach. She has been integral in ensuring that AWAVA is recognised as a strong pathway between the specialist women’s services sector, governments, and policymakers.

The National WESNET Committee thank Trish for her management and hard work and wish her the best for her future. The Staff also thank her for her mentorship and leadership in establishing a highly effective team environment.

If you would like to get in touch with Trish, please contact the AWAVA Secretariat for forwarding details.

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

About AWAVA Secretariat