webmistress, Author at AWAVA

Weekly Round-up* 2 February

How this year has flown! February already, and I know that lots of you will be making plans for IWD celebrations, as well as the upcoming 2nd World Shelter Conference and CSW56.

With so much happening, now seems like the perfect time to take a few minutes to breathe and read-up on what has been happening in Australia and around the world, with lots of international articles popping up this week.

Around the Country

More research confirms the prevalence of Family Violence after disasters, as reported here by the Age
And the Australian goes into more detail on the same topic here

Internationally:

This United Nations Report looks at conflict-related Sexual Violence
From the USA, read this media release on Sexual Violence, Stalking and Intimate Partner Violence in the US, which highlights the importance of prevention
Still in the USA, read about the campaign Women are Watching, which is keeping a close eye on ever-more restrictive laws on abortion and birth control
In the Maldives, there is growing concern over rising rates of violence against women, particularly Female Genital Mutiliation
In the UK, women’s groups are calling for stronger laws for sexualised images in the media and accurate reporting of violence against women

Coming up

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Dont forget, you still have time to register for these events:

Identifying the Hidden Disaster: The First Australian Conference on Natural Disasters and Family Violence – Melbourne – 9 March

Dont miss Eve Ensler at Sydney Theatre on 14 February

The International Women’s Conference being held in June is calling for submissions

And don’t forget the 2nd World Shelter Conference in Washington DC, 27 February-1 March

2012-2013 Pre Budget Submission: Focusing on, and investing in, addressing VAW

AWAVA submitted two Pre Budget Submissions to Treasury, one in collaboration with the Equality Rights Alliance; both emphasised strengthening the focus and investment in addressing violence against women. AWAVA was disappointed that the 2012-13 budget announcements and Women’s Statement included no new commitments.

Although AWAVA is very supportive of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, the plan is only effective if it is properly funded, implemented and monitored.

Chair of AWAVA, Julie Oberin’s comments on the 2012-13 Federal Budget below:

“Federal Budget decisions were made on applying the Government’s core values of ‘protecting the most vulnerable in our community and the frontline services Australian families rely on’ and prioritising spending to ‘people most in need.’ Women and children that are experiencing violence, and the services that support them, are noticeably missing. This group is arguably one of Australia’s most vulnerable, but it seems that they are one of the costs to the Government achieving a surplus. We have to remember that there was no funding announced with the National Plan for Reducing Violence Against Women and their Children and that the $86 million sometimes referred to, includes initiatives from as far back as April 2009.

We have repeatedly raised our concerns that the safety of women and children must not be compromised and it must be recognised that increasing awareness and prevention activities for violence against women will increase demand for services. We do not want to see a situation where women and children are turned away from services unable to cope with the numbers seeking help. There is already a current turn away rate for shelter beds and specialist support, and waiting lists for sexual assault counselling. One in two people who request immediate accommodation are turned away each night due to high demand and under-resourcing. The Australian Government needs to invest in refuge, shelter and crisis housing and support services, alongside investment in primary prevention, to address this gap.

AWAVA wants to see real commitment from the Australian Government, which means investing properly in vital services for women and their children and in meaningful, not ad-hoc, primary prevention activities. If we are serious about addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls, gender and social equality needs to be embedded across every part of society including the national curriculum and in pre and in-service teacher-training.”

Download our submission here

Weekly Round-up* 20 January

A quieter week this week for VAW in the news – but still a few ‘must reads’ that have caught our attention…

Around the Nation

Still more on the ADF enquiry, as the Age looks at women in the armed forces
CASA – the Centre Against Sexual Assault – has seen an increase in the number of children showing sexualised behaviour, according to this report in the Age
The Age also reports on the growing number of registered sex offenders in Victoria

Internationally:

The International Planned Parenthood Association published this opinion piece on Femicide in South Asia
the Boston Globe reports that a previous decision by a judge to force a woman to have an abortion and be sterilised has been overturned

Looking forward to working with you in 2012

I’m very excited to have joined AWAVA as the Program Manager! I’m really looking forward to working with our Friends and Supporters in 2012 to move towards AWAVA’s ambitious, but essential, vision to ensure that all women and children are able to live free from all forms of violence and abuse. AWAVA’s Friends and Supporters bring together organisations, networks and individuals that contribute to achieving our vision by putting women, and their voices, at the heart of the work we all do. I’m proud to be part of AWAVA and to play a role in working with others to make sure women’s voices are heard, and that those voices lead to change.

Please contact me, Amy Blain, if you have any questions, queries or suggestions by clicking on the link here

Weekly Round-up* 13 January

This week sees quite a number of articles on Violence Against Women – so settle in for some interesting reading from both Australia and overseas:

The Canberra Times reported an increase in women accessing services during the Christmas holiday period
Also in the Canberra Times, fear of retribution is cited as one of the reasons for an unexpectedly low number of ADF complaints. However, The Age reports an increase in complaints for the same review
NSW Police are calling on all members of the community to speak up about domestic and family violence
The Herald Sun reported on the worrying new trend of pornography on back to school products

Internationally

The Age reports on a UK study looking at boys who exhibit harmful sexual behaviour at home and in the community
In the USA, the Huffington Post reports on welcome changes to the definition of rape
and the UK is looking to introduce shared parenting laws that may put children at risk

Coming Up!

Upcoming Conferences and Events

The International Women’s Conference, being held in Cairns, is now calling for submissions

and you still have time to register for the 2nd World Shelter Conference being held in February in Washington DC

Weekly Round-up* 6 January

Welcome to all our new subscribers, and a Happy 2012 to everyone! 2012 looks set to be another big year as AWAVA moves to new projects and continues to try to put an end to Violence Against Women – but for the moment, here is some catch-up reading on articles published over the break

The Herald Sun reported on the expected rise in reports of Family Violence during the Christmas period – read the full story here
The Sydney Morning Herald published an opinion piece on the impact women are having politics and leadership in countries such as Egypt, Liberia, and Papua New Guinea
Still in Egypt, and a court has ruled that the “Virginity Tests’ carried out on female demonstrators is a human rights violation
The Age reports an an increase of migrant women seeking help from refuges
The National Times publish this opinion piece by Leslie Cannold about the importance of ensuring women’s rights in the face of so-called ‘religious and cultural’ beliefs

Internationally

The Guardian in the UK reports on a number of women’s groups pushing for the Leveson inquiry to address sexism in the media.

Weekly Round-up* 16 December

Welcome to the last Weekly Round-up* for 2011! How quickly this year has flown – but before we start making New Years resolutions and plans for 2012, let’s take a look at the week that was

Around the Country

The Age reports on how justice collides with custom for women in Afghanistan
In South Australia, changes to domestic and family violence laws will see greater protection for women
Dont forget that you can read all of Minister Ellis’s press releases here

Much of the news this week centred on the changes to cabinet, and the impact this will have

The Australian reported on firsts for women
The SMH took a more personal look at the achiemevements and challenges of Nicola Roxon and Tanya Plibersek

Internationally

New research in the UK shows that “”lads’ mags”” could be legitimising hostile and sexist attitudes towards women
the joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize receive their awards and comment on what they have achieved

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Upcoming Events

5th World Congress on Family Law and Childrens Rights is now calling for papers – find out more here

International Women’s Conference is being held in Cairns 14th – 15th June 2012

Weekly Round-up* 2 December

To everyone in the Southern Hemisphere – Welcome to Summer! I am sure that everyone is busy busy busy shopping, finalising work, and generally rushing around in the last month of the year – but see if you can find a few minutes to settle in and have a look at what is happening in this week’s round-up

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Around the Nation

The Age has more on recommendations on changes to the law to prevent trafficking

The Attorney General’s department has announced the inaugural meeting of the children and family roundtable

Upcoming Events and Conferences

Upcoming events:

Womens Health Victoria presents a half-day workshop Everyone’s Business Violence Prevention

The International Women’s Conference (being held in Cairns) is now calling for abstracts. Find out more details here

Weekly Round-up* 25th November

During the week that saw us focus on Violence Against Women through White Ribbon Day, and IVEDAW, there was plenty of media space given to the issue. Here is just a snapshot of what you might have seen last week:

The Herald Sun talks with Michael Flood about what prevents men from standing up to stop violence against women
There have been allegations of sexual abuse at a Melbourne mental health service – read more about it here. The Age also reports on a possible investigation into the allegations
The lobby group Adults Surviving Child Abuse have called on government to provide appropriate responses for adults who have experienced abuse as children
In WA, the acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner is seeking legislative change to support women who have been sexually harrassed in taxis
Women’s Health Victoria have circulated this media release “We are all responsible for preventing violence against women”
Michael Flood, White Ribbon Day Ambassador, critises Mathew Newton on comments made in his recent ACA Interview
The Age continues to report on women who have been trafficked working in the sex industry
the Courier Mail reports on the introduction of new laws to prevent and protect women from being trafficked and entering into forced marriages – read more here
The Herald Sun reports on changes to Family Law that will help to put childrens safety first
A Facebook page promoting stalking as a ‘victimless cime’has been removed after strong lobbying from the sector
the Castlemaine Independent reports that business should be part of 16 days of activism

So NO to Violence: A leading cause of homelessness

Say NO To Violence: A leading cause of Homelessness

Australia’s national homelessness peak body has joined forces with the Women’s Services Network (WESNET) and the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance (AWAVA) to highlight and endorse the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Escaping domestic and family violence is the most often cited reason given by women for seeking assistance from specialist homelessness services. It is a leading cause of homelessness in Australia…..

Read the full media release here:

Say NO to Violence: A Leading Cause of Homelessness

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

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