webmistress, Author at AWAVA

Weekly Round-up* September 16th

Apologies for no round up last week, but the AWAVA team has been flat to the boards getting ready for the first of our community engagement events on the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. Our first event was in Katherine yesterday.

The Australian Government has appointed career diplomat Penny Williams as Australia’s first Global Ambassador for women. See the media release here.
The Age shares the personal story of a woman who is a victim of trafficking
Julie McKay offers this online opinion piece on VAW in Australia and our region
the Age reports on new police teams that will aim to provide victim-focused responses to sexual assault and child abuse cases
The Age reports on the call for a ban on non-therapeutic sterilisation of women with disabilities
Still in the Age, and this article reports on suggested changes to the way trials for sex offences are conducted
Eureka Alert reports on the role alcohol does, and does not play, in instances of sexual assault

Internationally

In the UK debate continues over reforms to abortion laws
In the USA, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could redefine the scope of privacy in an age of increasingly ubiquitous surveillance technologies like GPS devices and face-recognition software. Read more here.

[box] Have something to contribute*?

Do you have something you would like us to put in our e-bulletin about a forthcoming event, news from your State or Territory on happenings in relation to violence against women? Please use our contact form to send us a message.

*Contributions are accepted at the discretion of AWAVA. [/box]

Weekly Round-up* September 5th

Thankyou to all our subsribers for your patience over the last few weeks, as we upgraded our website! There are still some more exciting changes to come, so keep an eye out.

Get comfy and settle in for some catch-up reading

News.com.au reports on recommendations for making Melbourne a safer city for women
This article in the Age reports on the impact of family violence on children.
A new report from tye NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research sheds some light on patterns of domestic and family violence in NSW
The Sunraysia Daily reports on a new service to support indigenous women from around the state
The Sydney Morning Herald reports on research done by the Equality Rights Alliance into the impact of income management on women in the Northern Territory
An inquiry has been ordered in Victoria, into laws around teens and sexting
The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children is launched in Western Australia – read more here
The Attorney General’s Department released this media release advising of the Senate Committee’s endorsement of the Family Law Reforms

Internationally:

A new report from the USA provides an insight into why victims/survivors of Domestic and Family Violence recant
A new study shows decreasing rates of Female Genital Mutilation in Egypt
This opinion piece from Washington DC revisits Slutwalks
Women’s enews looks at UN Women’s stance on abortion
There has been anger over medical checks for potential flight attendants in South Korea
In Canadia, there is storm of criticism after a hairdressing salon used Domestic Violence to promote itself

Weekly Round-up* July 29th

Things are starting to get very busy in the AWAVA offices – with lots of planning for the coming year happening, as well as the start of some big things to come in regards to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. Make sure you keep your eye on our website for updates!

In the outside world, there has been plenty of focus on violence against women – here are just some of the things that crossed our virtual desks this week.

Around the Nation

The Commonwealth Attorney-General has launched the revised Family Court’s Best Practice Principles
Family Court Chief Justice comments on the best practice principles in this article
ABC Gippsland reports on some of the issues and programs in the region (more…)

Weekly Round-up* July 22nd

A relatively quiet week in the media for articles on violence against women. But a few interesting international articles caught our eye:

This article from the USA shines a light on some hidden issues of the growing demand for prostitution
Still in the USA, the White House, and it’s partners, have launched apps against abuse
And finally, a new report delves into some of the issues of limited access to contraceptives in war-torn areas of the world. Read more here

Reminder!

Don’t forget! If there is more you want to hear about, have something to contribute, or have feedback, you can email us at [email protected]

Weekly Round-up* 15th July

Welcome to another Weekly Round-up! Not much to report internationally this week, but plenty of news around the nation:

There are some updates on the review into ADF culture: This media release announces the release of terms of reference for the enquiry
The Age reports on ‘sexting’ from a legal and psychological point of view
Melton police in Victoria start to establish a new family violence unit
The NSW Attorney-General has announced an appeal seeking a longer sentence for the doctor that removed a woman’s genitals without her consent
Caroline Norma takes a look at sex-worker safety in brothels
Collective Shout urges retailers to cease the sale and distribution of so-called ‘porn t-shirts’
Reminder! 1800Respect Online is now up and running – find out more here

At Your Request

A number of you have asked for more detailed information about a survey that was mentioned in last week’s round-up, that sited India as the 4th most dangerous country in the world for women.

For a snapshot of the results click here

for a more detailed report and ongoing coverage, click here

If there are other articles you want us to do a bit more digging on, email us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best!

Have Your Say

The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse encourages you to participate in it’s consumer satisfaction survey

Another survey being conducted is the Women and Housing Affordability Survey – particularly looking for the views of women who are over 40 and do not expect to own their own home during their lifetime. Click here to complete the survey

Call for Contributions

Parity are calling for contributions for the September Edition “Responding to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children”

Noel Murray of Parity says “This edition follows on from two very successful editions in the last two years and indeed other editions of Parity that have examined and discussed domestic violence and the response to domestic violence and the homelessness experienced by women.This edition offers all those working in the sector and with an interest in these critical issues to respond to the Australian Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

Please feel free to distribute the attached Call for Contributions throughout your networks and to anyone you think might be interested in contributing to this discussion.”

Please note that the deadline for contributions is Friday September 16^th.

Click here to learn more

AWAVA recieves funding for two new projects

AWAVA is pleased to announce that we have received Australian Government funding for two new projects to assist in the elimination of violence against women. Both projects focus on violence prevention in regional and remote communities.

The Bridging the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children to Community Social Change Action – Engagement Project will see AWAVA develop and deliver a series of events in regional and remote locations to promote the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (“the Plan”) and discuss how organisations can take action at a local level.
AWAVA will also be working with the National Rural Women’s Coalition and Network (NWRC) to develop a toolkit and guide to support women to implement the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The resources will focus on preventing violence before it occurs by working to change underlying causes.

Weekly Round-up* 8th July

In the week that has many of us eagerly awaiting Sunday’s Carbon Emmissions announcement, and what impact this will have on Australian Women, there has still been plenty of news focussed on the impacts of violence against women. Grab a cuppa and settle in for some great reading…

Firstly, a few releases from the Minister’s Office

In news around Australia:

The Bendigo Advertiser reports on a pilot program being rolled-out in Central Victoria
The Herald Sun comments on the loophole that protects convicted sex offenders
Eva Ensler writes about men,women and violence in The Age
Ian Robinson writes an opinion piece on the plight of women in Australia
Farrah Tomazin urges the Victorian Government to not forget about Domestic and Family Violence as it gets ‘tough on crime’
Several protestors, including women, were arrested in WA during a protest and blockade at James Price Point

And Internationally:

SlutWalk takes on new meanings in India

There have been a number of articles published after the release of the report “”Children’s exposure to domestic violence in Australia””

You can read the Attorney General’s media release here
ps news has this to say

Training

Upcoming Training and Workshops

CASA House in Victoria is offering a number of workshops in coming months. Click here to learn more

WIRE will hold a free information session Impact of Family Violence on the Mother/Baby relationship

Feminist InspirActivism in August – click here

Conferences

And you still have time to register for these conferences!

Mt Gambier next week!

2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters

Weekly Round-up* 10th June

A mixed bag of news crossing our virtual desks this week – all of which makes for some interesting reading!

Media Releases

First and foremost – there have been some important media releases from the Minister’s office this week:

Discussion progresses on VAW in the Northern Territory

Leadership Opportunities for Indigenous Women

New Leadership Opportunities in the Northern Territory

Making the news nationally this week

In a follow up to last weeks article on the “”Brocial Network”” Jessica Lake takes a look at the history of privacy laws and images of women
The Age reports on tribunal findings that cyberbullying constitutes violence
The Sunraysia Daily reports on the opening of a new complex for indigenous women

As expected, there is still more commentary on Slutwalk.

Paula Mathewson has this to say
The SMH looks at the Melbourne Slutwalk held at the end of May

And Internationally

In New Zealand there is debate over parental notification when teenagers seek abortions
Cora Weiss comments on rape and war
UK Department of Health has released a report on the number of women travelling from Ireland to have abortions.

New Resource!!

VicHealth has launched a review of Bystander Approaches in Support of Preventing Violence Against Women – access it here

Weekly Round-up* 3rd June

Just a short Round-up this week, as the AWAVA Round-up team are still in catch-up after their hiatus! Still plenty of news to share with you though

The Canberra Time reports on the ACT Legistlative Committee Hearings into licensing of brothels and the harmful impacts of prostitution on women
Jocelyn Scutt explores sex, rape and exploitation in this online article
The age reports on a disturbing new facebook page that shares images of women without their knowledge or consent

And Internationally:

US Peace Corps volunteers come forward about rape and sexual assualt while working in the Corps
The Vancouver Sun reports on how rules of evidence impact on trials involving sexual assault against women with disabilities
A group of international feminists is gathering support for the African immigrant woman hotel worker allegedly attacked sexually by (now former!) IMF Director Donimique Strauss-Kahn, who is now having her character assassinated in the media. A statement has been posted here that you can sign to show your support
This report from Sweden further explores this issue

And there is still plenty of controversy on the “”SlutWalks”” taking place around the world

Gail Dines has this to say
Terry Sweetman says the SlutWalk is a paradox
Jacinda Woodhead and Stephanie Convery push for rights, not spectacle

Sexual Assault Research Register

ACSSA has released it’s Australian Sexual Assault Research Register, which you can access here

Women’s Health Survey

A survey of women’s experience of health services is being conducted now, with the launch of a women’s health services map in early July 2011. Click on the link to have your say. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/womenshealth2011 Or complete the attached paper version of the survey, and return it to Equality Rights Alliance, PO Box 1022, Dickson ACT 2602 by Friday 24 June 2011.

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

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