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

This week we were reminded of the complexities of addressing female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C), and the global fight to end it, as we recognised International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation on 6 February. We hope you found some time to read AWAVA’s post and to have a look at some of the great work both in Australia and internationally – take a few minutes to watch Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek, address to Parliament on FGM.

But that wasn’t the only thing making the news this week:

Around the nation:

• Minister Julie Collins announces the four community sector members who will form part of the official Australian Government delegation to CSW57
• New research highlights the increasing link between emerging technologies and sexual violence

Internationally:

• In Somalia, the Prime Minister says the Government will do more to protect rape victims after the country has come under UN and International criticism. This criticism follows the recent conviction of a rape victim for insulting the Government
• Kurdistan women say that laws are not enough, and their Government need to focus on implementing laws that stop violence against women
• The Philippine Star reports new laws being introduced to combat the ever-increasing instances of ‘E-VAW’ – Electronic Violence Against Women
• Recently in Central America and Washington DC a 24 Hour “”hackathon”” was held to look at ways that technology can be used to protect women from violence
• This article from the USA gives Ten Things You Can Do to End Rape Culture – a good article to share with friends/family and colleagues
• Julie Bindel from the Spectator says that legalising prostitution in Amsterdam ‘has been a disaster‘

One Billion Rising – 14 February!

• Find out what is happening in Melbourne and how you can be involved
• If you’re in Sydney here is how you can join in
• And check out what is happening in Adelaide
• Read more about the movement in this article, One Billion Rising: ‘It’s like a feminist tsunami‘

International Women’s Day

Remember to email us at [email protected] and let us know what you and your organisation will be doing on 8 March this year!

• The Women’s Council in Western Australia is again hosting its Sparkling High Tea to raise Funds For Freedom

Reports, Research and Resources

New Reports

• The ABS this week released Defining the Data Challenge: Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Australia 2013 sets the scene for developing nationally consistent data and will make it easier to measure progress against the National Plan’s goal of reducing violence against women
• Have a look at, and provide your feedback on, Spotlight on Economic Abuse, this project is a partnership between Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service and Kildonan Uniting Care which aims to raise awareness and provoke discussion of the practice and impacts of economic abuse
• The Victorian Attorney General’s Office this week released Addressing Homelessness: Partnerships and Plans.  The report found that family violence initiatives significantly over performed on meeting targets

Upcoming Events

New!!

• 19 February: Attend the launch of Keeping You and Your Job Safe: Information for workers experiencing family violence. Canberra

February

• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference, Canberra
• 20 February: Launch of We Will Not Go Quietly – zine by and for sexual assault survivors, 6.30pm-8.00pm, Melbourne, RSVP by 11 February
• 27 Febuary: Getting Safe Against the Odds – Family violence and women with a disability – Training  for workers who are currently working in the family violence sector to gain a better understanding of the context and experiences of women with disabilities who experience violence

March

• 7 March WIRE in Victoria present Understanding Financial Abuse in the context of Family Violence
• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here
• For those of you based in Canberra, if you haven’t already make sure you take the opportunity to see The Women Who Made Canberra – an exhibition celebrating women in Canberra’s history, closing 17 March

April

• Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra
• 11-12 April: Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne

Later

• 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference, Sydney
• 25-28 August  8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Call for papers is currently open

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls

*Articles published are not necessarily representative of the views and opinions of AWAVA, and are published as general information only.

There are plenty of good articles this week in the round-up to keep you reading for a while, but, before you start, make sure you watch this insightful YouTube clip featuring speaker Leslie Morgan Steiner, a domestic violence survivor sharing her own experience, and answering Why domestic violence victims don’t leave.

Last week on 23 January, Safe at Home Safe at Work, the National Alliance of Working Women™s Centres and AWAVA made a comprehensive verbal submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Senate Committee on the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 calling for ‘the status of victim/survivor of domestic violence’ to be included as a protected attribute so that victims/survivors of domestic violence can be protected against discrimination, including both employment and housing discrimination.

This week we submitted AWAVA’s Federal Pre-Budget Submission_2013-14 calling for increased investment and focus on primary prevention and continued focus on the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

Around the nation

• Julia Baird in The Age says the ‘tables have turned on ‘Slut Shamers’
• Social Justice Commissioner says that cooperation is needed to end sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities
• This infographic from Homelessness Australia shows that the main reason for homelessness in this country, 25%, is domestic and family violence

Around the world

• Indian activists say that words are not enough, and action is needed to end violence against women
• Read this excellent article A Rape a Minute, a Thousand Corpses a Year from US writer Rebecca Solnit
• This article looks at the US culture of masculinity and violence against women

One Billion Rising

• Find out what is happening in Melbourne and how you can be involved
• If you’re in Sydney here is how you can join in
• And check out what is happening in Adelaide
• Read more about the movement in this article, One Billion Rising: ‘It’s like a feminist tsunami‘

Research and Resources

New Resource – VAWnet, the national online resource centre on violence against women (USA) have released this report How effective are campus-based gender violence prevention programs? which many of you may find useful in your work, particularly with students and young people

Get Involved!

• Have your say on the world you want to live in, by completing this United Nations Global Survey

Upcoming Events

New!!

• For those of you based in Canberra, if you haven’t already make sure you take the opportunity to see The Women Who Made Canberra – an exhibition celebrating women in Canberra’s history, closing 17 March

February

• Calls for papers close 5 February – 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference, Sydney 
• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference, Canberra
• 20 February: Launch of We Will Not Go Quietly – zine by and for sexual assault survivors, 6.30pm-8.00pm, Melbourne, RSVP by 11 February 2013
• 27 Febuary: Getting Safe Against the Odds – Family violence and women with a disability – Training  for workers who are currently working in the family violence sector to gain a better understanding of the context and experiences of women with disabilities who experience violence

March

• Read more about UN Women’s International Women’s Day Events and get involved
• 7 March WIRE in Victoria present Understanding Financial Abuse in the context of Family Violence
• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here

April

• Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra
• 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne

Later

• ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them
• 25-28 August  8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Calls for papers is currently open

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls

The first month of 2013 is almost over, and it feels like only yesterday we were wishing each other Happy New Year! Lots of news from around the world and around the country this week, and a few new ways that you can get involved in making a difference

Around Australia

• Shakira Hussein asks for a universally-accepted entitlement to live in safety in this New Matilda article
• Dr Jasmine Chen,  Multi-Cultural Centre for Women’s Health, Melbourne, wants better understanding of the many aspects of Female Genital Mutilation
• If you’re in Melbourne/surrounds watch channel 31 for a new series that explores the different forms of women’s oppression globally, starting 4 February
• ACT Young Australian of the Year winner calls for more to be done to end violence against women
• HACSU (Health and Community Services Union, Tasmania) announce an historical moment with a recently negotiated workplace agreement including a domestic and family violence clause
• This article looks at sexual, domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities, and the barriers to reporting that many women face

Internationally

• The UN reports that rape is being used as a weapon of war as the crisis in Mali continues
• Welcome news in Morrocco as lawmakers remove laws from the penal code which force victims/survivors of rape to marry their rapists
• The UK calls on the international community to end violence against women

One Billion Rising

• Find out what is happening in Melbourne and how you can be involved
• If you’re in Sydney here is how you can join in

Reports and Resources

New Resources

• A new report from the UK provides an International Overview of Sexual Violence Services
• Family Law Matters Australia  have recently launched the website Family Law Network Australia.  The website is a free information resource and referral service for family law matters

Get Involved!

• Are you a young woman wanting your voice to be heard at CSW57?  Complete this survey and make sure you have your say
• Sign the Global Fund for Women’s petition on ending rape and for Heads of State to take action at CSW57
• Take part in the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women’s Survey on Discrimination Against Women in Economic and Social Life by 1 March
• Senator Louise Pratt is asking for organisation™s views on Gender Equality in the Workplace – give your views by 29 January

Upcoming Events

January 2013

• Closing date extended until 31 January 2013 Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra

February

• Calls for papers close 5 February – 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference, Sydney 
• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference, Canberra
• 20 February: Launch of We Will Not Go Quietly – zine by and for sexual assault survivors, 6.30pm-8.00pm, Melbourne, RSVP by 11 February 2013
• 27 Febuary: Getting Safe Against the Odds – Family violence and women with a disability – Training  for workers who are currently working in the family violence sector to gain a better understanding of the context and experiences of women with disabilities who experience violence

March

• 7 March WIRE in Victoria present Understanding Financial Abuse in the context of Family Violence
• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here

Later

• 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
• 28-30 April: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2-day national conference: Stand Up!  Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA
• ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them
• 25-28 August  8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Calls for papers is currently open

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls

Good to have you all back again for another weekly round-up! Quite a bit in the news this week, both nationally and internationally, as well as a new event or two for you to check out. Enjoy!

Around the nation

• Safe at Home, Safe at Work project run by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearance will be appearing at Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Bill Senate Hearing on 23 January, AWAVA endorsed the ADFVC submission and will jointly present at the hearing lobbying for the inclusion of the status of being a domestic violence victim/survivor as a protected attribute in the consolidated anti-discrimination laws
• New funding has been announced for a Women’s Legal Service in Perth (WA) focusing on supporting Aboriginal women who are victims and survivors of domestic and family violence
• The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the ADF may be asked to suspend alleged rapists and abusers while their cases are being investigated
• In The Age, Rachael Jacobs takes a different look at the protests in India and the impact these may have on ending violence against women
• The Sydney Morning Herald shares Eve Ensler’s call for all of us to join the One billion and rising campaign
• AWAVA signed the petition and called on all of you to help protest against the sexual exploitation of the Lingerie Football League – and according to this article, it looks like we may have had a win

Internationally

• In this opinion piece, the United States is called on to take steps to make a difference and lead the way in ending violence against women
• This article reflects on the Rape Culture in Nigeria
• Continuing protests in Nepal to end gender-based violence seem to be having little impact
• In the UK, there has been an alarming rise in the number of children being sexually exploited, according to an article from the BBC
• Still in the UK, and the Everyday Sexism Project looks at the continuing culture of victim-blaming
• Syrian refugees are citing rape being used as a weapon of war as the primary reason they have had to flee their homes
• Back in India again this week, as outrageous statements are made by defence attorneys saying that Respected women don’t get raped
• CSW57 meetings were held during the week to unite Africa with one voice to end violence against women
• Juan Carlos Garzon Vergara asks Is Violence Against Women a Priority in Political Agendas?
• Facebook has issued an an apology for allowing images that portrayed violence towards women on their site

Upcoming Events

New!!

• WIRE in Victoria present Understanding Financial Abuse in the context of Family Violence being held on 7 March

January 2013

• Closing date extended until 31 January 2013 Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra

February

• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra.  You can get a discounted rate:  if you register 4 Gold delegates you get a free registration
• 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference is being held in Sydney, calls for papers close 5 February

March

• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here

Later

• 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
• 28-30 April: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2-day national conference: Stand Up!  Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA
• ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them
• 25 – 28 August  8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Calls for papers is currently open

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls

Welcome to the first AWAVA round-up for 2013! It’s set to be a busy year for AWAVA, and as always, we feel privileged to have our members and subscribers supporting us and our work every step of the way.

Our thoughts are with subscribers and members who have been affected by bushfires in NSW and Tasmania. We know that some of you have had tragic losses, or have had family members affected, and our hope for all of you is that you and yours are safe, and that your communities can make full recoveries.

In the news this week:

Around the Nation:

• ABC Online reports that GPs are at the frontline when it comes to reports of domestic and family violence
• In South Australia, this report says that intellectually disabled sexual assault victims/survivors are still being denied justice
• An update into the Royal Commission on Child Sexual abuse includes a special investigative unit, watch the Prime Minister’s announcement on Royal Commission Terms of Reference
• PM Newton, former detective in the NSW police, says that the key to ending rape is changing attitudes

Internationally:

• Most of you will have heard and read about the horrific sexual assault, rape and murder of a 23 year old woman in India, and the subsequent protests and demonstrations calling for change in India. This article looks at the domino effect this is having, as the protests spread into neighbouring countries, and more and more people demand an end to violence against women.

If you are looking for a way to help make a change in India, click here for the on-line petition

• Still in India, this report debunks the myth that ‘covering women will make them safer””
• The UN announces new sanctions against two armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo – these sanctions focus on ending crimes of sexual violence
• The Washington Post has published the “”saddest graph you’ll see today“”  – which highlights the low conviction rates for rapists, see this article for a more detailed analysis of the infographic accuracy. You can also access the latest UK data on low convictions rates for sex crimes here
• In Tanzania, government ministers say community education is the key to end female genital mutilation
  
• Read this interesting ‘year in review’ from the UK 2012: The year it became OK to blame victims of sexual assault
• From the Maldives, news that a 15 year old young woman who was repeatedly raped is being charged with adultery has brought international attention – read the story and responses here
• The recent “”marriage”” of a 15 year old to a 90 year old man in Saudi Arabia has also received international condemnation

Get Involved!

A few ways you can get involved and make a difference

• Register to be a speaker with the Association of Women Educators (AWE), members of AWAVA. This is a valuable opportunity for individuals and organisations to promote their work and it is expected that speakers and consultants will promote a gender justice perspective in line with the AWE philosophy and mission
• Take the opportunity to comment on respectful relationships and gender equality programs in schools through the National Consultation for the Health and Physical Education Curriculum.  Details of the consultation are on the ACARA website: http://consultation.australiancurriculum.edu.au/.  The consultation closes on 18 April 2013
• Entries are now open for the EVAs – eliminating violence against women media awards
• Sign this online petition calling for gender justice in India. A second petition to strengthen sexual violence legislation and enforcement can be accessed here

Research, Reports and Resources

New Resources

Are you attending the Commission for the Status of Women this year (CSW57).  This is a must-read: click here to access JERA International’s Australian NGO Guide to the Commission for the Status of Women, funded by the Federal Office for Women

Upcoming Events

New!!

• 13-15 May The White Ribbon International Conference is being held in Sydney, calls for papers close 5 February
• 25 – 28 August  8th Australasian Council of Women and Policing conference will be held in Adelaide . Calls for papers is currently open

January 2013

• Closing date extended until 31 January 2013 Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra

February

• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra.  You can get a discounted rate too – if you register 4 Gold delegates you get a free registration

March

• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here

April

• 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
• 28-30 April: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference: Stand Up!  Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA
• ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls

• Prime Minister Gillard announced a National Summit and Legal Review as part of the Federal Government’s response to FGM, see Prime Minister’s media release and The Age article on FGM
• A Melbourne coroner is calling for a hotline for doctors who believe their patients are trapped by domestic violence following the death of Lynette Phillips in 2007
• A landmark pilot study has found paramedics need more training to support victims of domestic violence
• NSW Attorney General announces a new NSW Domestic Violence Justice Strategy

Resources and Research

Some interesting reports, research and fact-sheets recently published are well worth a read:

• Innovative practices of Australian rural and remote practitioners working in the Sexual Assault Sector
• Addressing women’s victimisation history in custodial settings
• UK Report: Sexting: An Exploration of Practices, Attitudes and Influences
• Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 
• The Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report (2011-12) shows domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness in Australia.  One-third (34%) of clients had experienced domestic or family violence. The majority of these (78%) were female and one-fifth (21%) were less than 10 years of age.
• Victoria’s Department of Health Elder Abuse Prevention and Response community education resources include:
  • Fact sheet: What is elder abuse?
  • Fact sheet: Financial abuse
  • Postcard
  • Wallet “”help”” card

Upcoming Events

January 2013

• Still time to submit your abstracts for the Stand-Up! Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women national conference, 28-30 April, Canberra, closing date extended until 31 January 2013 

February

• 18- 20  February: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra

March

• 21 March: Australian Women’s Coalition is calling young women between 18 – 30 years who live, study or work in Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool or Coffs Harbour NSW, or in Canberra, ACT to be a part of SHOUT!  A series of three free workshops will run in each location, complemented by an online network of support and skills-sharing and a local network of participants and AWC member organisations. The workshops will culminate in community events on Harmony Day next year,  Find out more here

April

• 11-12 April: Registration is now open for the Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne
• 28-30 April: The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference: Stand Up!  Eliminating All Forms of Violence Against CALD Women, supported by AWAVA.  Put it in your diary!
• ‘Miss Representation’ Screening Tour: Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW are planning a series of screenings of ‘Miss Representation’ across Australia in 2012/13. If you are interested in hosting a screening of this film in partnership with WIFT NSW please email them

Internationally:

• 4-15 March 2013: 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57), New York, priority theme: Eliminating and prevention all forms of violence against women and girls