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

Weekly Round-up* 10 December

The National Women’s Alliances’ Chairs and Program Managers’ mini forum in Canberra last week was a good opportunity to share achievements, workplan activities and work together on collaborative projects across the Alliances, including preparing for CSW57 and planning Parallel Events.  Preparing for CSW57?  Click here to see the latest from the NGO Committee on the Status of Women.  Applications for Parallel Events close Monday 17 December.

Around the country:

Internationally:

Resources and Research

Upcoming Events

New!!

January 2013

February

  • 18- 20  February 2013: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra

Later

  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • 28-30 April 2013: 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

Read More

Weekly Round-up* 30 November

Wow! A HUGE round-up this week, which will no doubt keep you busy reading for a while!  AWAVA have also been busy, participating in the ACT  Government™s Office for Women™s inspiring Partners in Prevention Event on 26 November and the 5th National Roundtable for People Trafficking, hosted by the Attorney General, on 28 November.  Partners in Prevention brought together leaders from key corporate and industry areas in the ACT to work together to identify ways to prevent violence against women individually, in the workplace and organisationally, over the next 12 months.  The workplace is often a refuge for women experiencing violence with 25% of women disclosing domestic violence to their managers and half disclosing to colleagues.  Great commitments were made towards creating a community which respects the rights of women to live a life free from the fear and experience of violence .  An event that should definitely take place in every state and territory.

Around the Nation

  • The COAG’s Select Council on Women’s Issues met 23 November reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-22 – read the media release here
  • Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced funding for an International Conference on Domestic Violence programs
  • Read the Attorney General’s media release here on the 5th National Round-table on People Trafficking
  • New support for victims/survivors of domestic and family violence who are on provisional partner visa’s announced. You can access the quick reference fact sheets here
  • Read this media release on the inquiry into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force. Further announcements are that the ADF will have to fund victim compensation
  • NSW announces new guidelines for doctors working with women who have experienced female genital mutilation
  • Also in NSW report finds 309 allegations of unlawful sexual contact against nursing home residents were recorded in 2011/12
  • In Victoria, the number of registered sex offenders continues to grow
  • A new app for workers in Queensland has been launched – it provides a quick reference guide to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012
  • Listen to this podcast on the Involuntary Sterilisation of People with Disabilities from AWAVA Member, WWDA Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader
  • While you have your listening ears on, check out this podcast on the failure of systems to protect and support a West Australian woman who was murdered by her husband
  • and finally, survivor advocate Kate Ravenscroft talks about what she will be doing during the 16 days of activism

Internationally

National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children “ Update

Minister Julie Collins jointly announced with NSW Minister for Women, Pru Goward, yesterday details about the National Centre for Excellence, a key component of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2012-22: Read the media release here. The Victorian government also made this announcement about the National Centre for Excellence

Details about the Centre at a glance:

Location:  Sydney

When: From 1 January 2013

Funding: $3 million a year ($1 million from Commonwealth in initial year to establish centre and $1.5 million in each following year.)  States to contribute on a per capita basis (NSW providing over $491,000 of funding for the Centre each year, with an additional amount of up to $150,000 in cash or kind to assist with establishment)

Function: to develop a national research agenda to improve policy and service delivery

Get Involved!

One Billion Rising

Check out how you can be involved in this world-wide campaign to end violence against women here. Other ways you can be involved include:

  • Sign up to the campaign on the ONE BILLION RISING website ( http://www.onebillionrising.org/ ) and encourage your peers to do the same.
  • Tape yourself making a Statement of Commitment, or dancing, singing or show us your choice of visual expression of why and how you will RISE, and load the video on the Facebook group or website of œOne Billion Rising
  •  To join the online picket, and send a snapshot of yourself holding up a placard stating the reason why YOU would rise & upload this on the website or FB page “”One Billion Rising””
  • Encourage dialogue around the issue of violence against women and girls within your social networking community
  • Talk to everyone you know about One Billions Rising, and the 1 in 3 statistic; blog, post articles about the ACTION TO RISE UP on 14 February 2013
  • Engage in dialogue with your co-workers, friends, and family about ways to address violence against women in your community.
  • Learn the Song and Dance moves and join groups around the city on 14 February 2013 and œBreak the Chain http://onebillionrising.org/blog/entry/we-have-an-anthem
  • Change your Facebook profile picture to the One Billion Rising on 14 February 2013

Petitition

The petition to fund family violence death reviews now has 600 signatures -make sure to add yours!

Upcoming Events!

This Month

February

  • 18- 20  February 2013: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra

Later

  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • 28-30 April 2013: 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
Read More

Weekly Round-up* 23 November

Sunday, 25 November is International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women (IDEVAW), which is supported by White Ribbon Day, and marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism.   Remember to let us know what you have planned during the 16 Days of Activism by emailing [email protected].

Julie Oberin, Chair of AWAVA, highlights that IDEVAW “”…is a reminder that male violence against women is a global, national and local issue and that ending this violence is everyone™s responsibility. It is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, to acknowledge and reflect how far there is still to go, and to renew our efforts.””  Read AWAVA’s full media release here.

Read UN Secretary General’s Ban Ki Moon’s IDEVAW message here.  Chief Commissioner Ken Lay’s speech at the Royal Women’s Hospital White Ribbon Day Breakfast is a must-read too.

As we approach IDEVAW, the Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Program Conference this week: Standing Firm For Change: A Journey to Justice, was a timely reminder that Aboriginal women are 40 times more likely to experience family violence than their non-Aboriginal sisters.  Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Dr Rashida Manjoo, attended as special guest, you can hear her speaking during the conference here.

Highlights included Tammy Anderson™s outstanding performance of her life story ‘I Don’t Wanna Play House’ and hearing Andrea Pickett™s brother talk about the systemic failures that did not protect his sister from being murdered by her husband (4Corners A Matter of Life & Death).   The conference emphasised that Aboriginal communities need to be involved in designing, developing implementing and evaluating family violence approaches.   Culturally-safe responses for family violence need to be sustainably funded wherever women live:, in rural, regional, remote and urban areas.  Competition between services for women and men is not appropriate and women and children™s safety should always be a priority.  A caution that colonization does not excuse violence but is a starting point for addressing family violence reaffirmed the importance of men taking responsibility for their violence.

Around the Nation:

Internationally

16 Days of Activism

Events:

  • Tell Me Something: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence | Something in common will be posting stories about gender-based violence to their blog with actions you can take to help eliminate this global human rights abuse
  • Women’s Health Victoria will be running an awareness campaign – follow them on twitter (#16days) and facebook
  • 27 November: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide film screening, panel discussion and launch of Jacqui True’s book, The Political Economy of Violence against Women. at UNSW, 6-8pm, to register: http://ahrcentrehalfthesky.eventbrite.com.au.  The film screening is hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre and  the film addresses the linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality.
  • 6 December: The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse are hosting a  symposium to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender violence; Damned Lies and Statistics: Understanding Gender and Violence Symposium with Dr Michael Flood and Dr Jane Wangmann  will be held in Sydney

Family Safety Programs

Read here the media release from Relationships Australia (NSW) on their research showing that Family Safety Program help men, women and children (NSW)

Julie Oberin, Chair of AWAVA, comments: œIt is encouraging that women felt safer for themselves and their children as a result of the Family Safety program but it remains a real concern that perpetrators™ beliefs on gender equity and the role of women remained unchanged.  AWAVA recognises that, fundamentally, gender-based violence against women is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality, given the attitudes of perpetrators on gender equity have remained the same, the long-term impact of the program on behaviour is limited. 

Research and Resources

New!

ACSSA released this new research on Sibling Sexual Abuse

Upcoming Events

This Month:

  • 26-28 November 2012:  Pathways to Change Conference for practitioners and policy developers to explore practice responses to children and young people displaying Problem Sexualised Behaviour and Sexually Abusive Behaviour, Hobart.  Register by 1 November for the early bird discount.  Click here for Conference  programs details

December

 Later

  • 18- 20  February 2013: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • 28-30 April 2013: 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

Read More

Media Release: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – 25 November 2012

25 November has been marked by women’s and anti-violence activists as a day focussed on the elimination of violence since 1981. In 1999 the United Nations declared 25 November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). 25 November also starts 16 Days of Activism on ending violence against women and girls.

 

[box] Julie Oberin, Chair of AWAVA says:

” The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is a reminder that male violence against women is a global, national and local issue and that ending this violence is everyone’s responsibility. It is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, to acknowledge and reflect how far there is still to go, and to renew our efforts. Australia has an exciting opportunity with the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children to be a global leader and to really drive the long-term social change needed to address violence against women and girls.

The National Plan has a crucial focus on the importance of primary prevention and recognises gender and other social inequalities that are both a cause and consequence of violence against women and girls. We need governments, the preventing violence against women sector, schools, business, industry, media and communities to join forces and work in partnership, to learn from each other and to share good practices, knowledge and resources, alongside the lessons learnt along the way. We need a long-term, sustainable, comprehensive whole-of-government, whole-of-school, whole-of-community, cross-sector approach to achieve a real reduction in the disturbing levels of violence against women and girls.

IDEVAW, which is supported by the White Ribbon Campaign, provides the ideal opportunity for people to start conversations about how we can really make a difference and to begin to address violence against women and girls in all our communities.

If everyone works together we can end violence against women and girls”[/box]

Read AWAVA’s full media release here

Read More

Weekly Round-up* 16 November

A short (but sweet!) round-up this week to get your working week started.

News around the country

  • A Melbourne adult inpatient facility announces a new women’s only section to provide women with a safe and secure environment while receiving treatment
  • Still in Victoria, a new app has been launched that the Centre Against Sexual Assault believe will lower the barriers for reporting sexual assault
  • There are calls in the Northern Territory for the introduction of a domestic violence death review process
  • Meanwhile, in Victoria, advocates are lobbying to have funding re-instated to continue the Victorian Systemic Review of Family Violence Deaths, read more in DVRCV’s Red Rally Round-up
  • Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a royal commission into child sex abuse that will probe organisations ranging from the Catholic Church and state authorities to the boy scouts and sports groups

Internationally

New Resource!

VicHealth local government actions guides for preventing violence against women

Upcoming Events

New!!

This Month:

  • 20-21 November:  First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference
  • 21-23 November: Standing Firm for change: a journey to justice  where community members, leaders, workers and policy makers will come together to confront the issues of family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and identify strategies to improve access to justice and systemic change for Aboriginal victims/survivors of family violence
  • 23 November 2012:  Not1More/White Ribbon Day – White Ribbon Day activities in Melbourne include awareness-raising, White Ribbon Lunch, Walk Against Family Violence at 2pm, Not1more will be remembering victims of family violence and offering the opportunity for people to take the White Ribbon Oath in Federation Square, Melbourne
  • 23 November:  Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March, Perth
  • 26-28 November 2012:  Pathways to Change Conference for practitioners and policy developers to explore practice responses to children and young people displaying Problem Sexualised Behaviour and Sexually Abusive Behaviour, Hobart.  Register by 1 November for the early bird discount.  Click here for Conference  programs details
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Events
  • 27 November: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide film screening, panel discussion and launch of Jacqui True’s book, The Political Economy of Violence against Women. at UNSW, 6-8pm, to register: http://ahrcentrehalfthesky.eventbrite.com.au.  The film screening is hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre and  the film addresses the linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality.
  • 6 December: The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse are hosting a  symposium to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender violence; Damned Lies and Statistics: Understanding Gender and Violence Symposium with Dr Michael Flood and Dr Jane Wangmann  will be held in Sydney

 Later

  • 18- 20  February 2013 The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held  in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • 28-30 April 2013 – 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

Read More

Weekly Round-up* 9 November

Lots happening internationally this week, with articles from Africa, Central America and Afghanistan in this weeks’ round-up.

Around the Nation:

Internationally:

CSW57 Preparations

The Report on the Expert Group Meeting on the Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls, in the lead up to CSW57 is now available – click here

Upcoming Events!

Still time!  Save $100 with an early bird registrations for the  National Rural Women’s Coalition inaugural conference in February 2013, Canberra closes 11 November, register now!

This Month:

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Events
  • 27 November: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide film screening, panel discussion and launch of Jacqui True’s book, The Political Economy of Violence against Women. at UNSW, 6-8pm, to register: http://ahrcentrehalfthesky.eventbrite.com.au.  The film screening is hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre and  the film addresses the linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality.
  • 6 December: The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse are hosting a  symposium to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender violence; Damned Lies and Statistics: Understanding Gender and Violence Symposium with Dr Michael Flood and Dr Jane Wangmann  will be held in Sydney

 Later

  • Early Bird registration is open until 11 November for the National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held 18- 20  February 2013 in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • Save the date: 28-30 April 2013 – The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference on the elimination of violence against culturally and linguistically diverse 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
Read More

Weekly Round-up* 5 November

Working without fear: Results of the sexual harassment national telephone survey 2012 was launched by Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, on 30 October.  The survey  shows that sexual harassment is not only widespread in Australian workplaces, but that progress in addressing it has stalled

œSexual harassment is unlawful and has no place in Australian workplaces, Ms Broderick said. œEradicating sexual harassment from our workplaces will require leadership and a genuine commitment from everyone “ government, employers, employer associations, unions and employees.

The facts:

  • One in five (21%) people were sexually harassed in the workplace in the past five years
  • Sexual harassment affects more women than men: 25% of women and 16% of men were sexually harassed in the workplace in the past five years
  • Nearly four out of five (79%) harassers were men
  • Ninety per cent (90%) of women were harassed by a man
  • One-third (33%) of women and less than one in ten (9%) men were sexually harassed in their lifetime
  • More than half (51%) of bystanders (people who saw or became aware of sexual harassment) took action to prevent or reduce the harm of sexual harassment

Research from Monash University  has also found 57.3% of female journalists in Australia experience sexual harassment on the jobover twice the general workforce rate and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed its support of initiatives to increase awareness and reduce the incidence of sexual harassment in the workplace.  Also last week, Workplace Relations Minister, Bill Shorten commended employers that include paid domestic violence leave in their workplace agreements – Australia is setting a world standard.

 

Around the Nation

Internationally

Get Involved!

  • The Not Yours To Promise survey closing date has been extended until 16 November  – If you have had any experience with children in, or at risk of, a forced marriage, while the children were under 18, please contribute to the project by filling out this survey
  • “”Have you ever expe­ri­enced unwanted con­tact from a part­ner or ex-partner via the phone or inter­net? Have you ever felt afraid because a part­ner or ex-partner has tracked you with your phone, harassed you on Face­book, or con­stantly sent you text messages?”” Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria want to know about your experiences.  If you are a woman living in Victoria and are aged over 18, please take part in the survey, which only takes around 15 minutes: http://smartsafe.org.au/
  • Deadline for submitting written statements for CSW57 is 15 November.  You must have ECOSOC accreditations and make recommendations for more information: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/NGO.html 

Upcoming Events

Still time!  Save $100 with an early bird registrations for the  National Rural Women’s Coalition inaugural conference in February 2013, Canberra closes 11 November, register now!

November

The ACT Women’s Services Network is holding its ˜Summer of Respect™, a summer-long anti-sexual violence campaign from last week’s Reclaim the Night until International Women™s Day on 8 March 2013

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Events
  • 27 November: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide film screening, panel discussion and launch of Jacqui True’s book, The Political Economy of Violence against Women. at UNSW, 6-8pm, to register: http://ahrcentrehalfthesky.eventbrite.com.au.  The film screening is hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre and  the film addresses the linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality.
  • 6 December: The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse are hosting a  symposium to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender violence; Damned Lies and Statistics: Understanding Gender and Violence Symposium with Dr Michael Flood and Dr Jane Wangmann  will be held in Sydney

 Later

  • Early Bird registration is open until 11 November for the National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held 18- 20  February 2013 in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • Save the date: 28-30 April 2013 – The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference on the elimination of violence against culturally and linguistically diverse 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:

  • 7-9 November, Vancouver: 2012 National Research Day conference hosted by the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children (School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University), in partnership with the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC), the Canadian Observatory on the Justice System™s Response to Intimate Partner Violence, and the BC Society of Transition Houses
  • 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

Read More

Weekly Round-up* 31 October

Last week, publicly taking a stand against violence against women was the order of the day with Reclaim the Night Marches taking place across Australia.  Women and men turned up in support of public spaces being safe for everyone and to raise awareness of sexual violence and assault.

The impact of violence against women in the region was also a focus with a  televised discussion on violence against women on 24 October, (Praxis Discussion Series 2012) connecting with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.   Merilyn Tahi  raised that women in Vanuatu experience high levels of emotional abuse in their homes by their husbands and that  no culture or religion should endorse violence against women.  The discussion highlighted the need for targeted, sustained approaches to ending violence against women.

Around the Nation

Internationally

Get Involved!

  • The Not Yours To Promise survey closing date has been extended until 16 November  – If you have had any experience with children in, or at risk of, a forced marriage, while the children were under 18, please contribute to the project by filling out this survey 

Upcoming Events

Get in quickly!  Save $100 with an early bird registrations for the  National Rural Women’s Coalition inaugural conference in February 2013, Canberra closes 11 November, register now!

November

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Events
  • 27 November: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide film screening, panel discussion and launch of Jacqui True’s book, The Political Economy of Violence against Women. at UNSW, 6-8pm, to register: http://ahrcentrehalfthesky.eventbrite.com.au.  The film screening is hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre and  the film addresses the linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality.
  • 6 December: The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse are hosting a  symposium to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender violence; Damned Lies and Statistics: Understanding Gender and Violence Symposium with Dr Michael Flood and Dr Jane Wangmann  will be held in Sydney

 Later

  • Early Bird registration is open until 11 November for the National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held 18- 20  February 2013 in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • Save the date: 28-30 April 2013 – The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference on the elimination of violence against culturally and linguistically diverse 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:

  • 7-9 November, Vancouver: 2012 National Research Day conference hosted by the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children (School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University), in partnership with the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC), the Canadian Observatory on the Justice System€™s Response to Intimate Partner Violence, and the BC Society of Transition Houses
  • 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

Read More

Weekly Round-up* 19 October

This week the Women’s Electoral Lobby celebrates its 40th anniversary – find 15 minutes in your day to watch this YouTube clip and remember some of the great achievements of this group of women.

Around the Nation

Internationally

  • Many of you will have heard about the young woman, Malala Yousufzai, who was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan for speaking out about her right to an education and trying to go to school – Australian singer/song-writer David Franj has dedicated this song to Malala and to raise awareness of the treatment of women and girls in Pakistan
  • Islamabad – a new documentary focuses on survivors of forced marriage
  • New Zealand has just hosted the 2012 World Safety Conference on community and family violence
  • Watch this report on forced sterilisation of HIV-positive women in Kenya
  • In Fiji, youth groups have highlighted domestic and sexual violence as a key concern in their submission to the Constitution Commission
  • The United Nations has said Pervasive, Continued Violence Against Women is an appalling Human Rights Violation

Resources and Reports

New!

Get Involved!

  • The Draft 5th Report by Australia on the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has been published on the Attorney General’s Department website  for public comment. The Department will be accepting comments and submissions at [email protected] and by post until 11 November 2012
  • A Reminder that the Not Yours To Promise survey closes 26 October  – If you have had any experience with children in, or at risk of, a forced marriage, while the children were under 18, please contribute to the project by filling out this survey
  • Kate Ravenscroft, a Friend & Supporter of AWAVA, is looking for support to assist with the costs of publication of We Will Not Go Quietly: A Zine for Survivors of Sexual Assault.  The zine is written by survivors of sexual assault, for survivors of sexual assault and provides the community with a resource for understanding what it means to survive sexual assault.You can provide a financial contribution via: POZIBLE or through PayPal (Just click on the DONATE link)

CSW57

Results of the online discussions held during July and August can be accessed here

Upcoming Events

NEW!!

  • The ACT will launch its Summer of Respect campaign with Reclaim the Night Friday 26 October 
  • Perth, Western Australia will hold a Reclaim the Night event also on 26 October 
  • Still in Western Australia, the Women’s Council will be holding training Lessons from Pippi Longstocking – How Children and Young People Resist Violence and Oppression –16 November

October

  • WESNET’s Safety Net Technology Safety Training is coming to Canberra 31 October and 1 November – click here for more information and to register

November

Later

  • Early Bird registrations are now open for the National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC)’s inaugural Conference being held 18- 20  February 2013 in Canberra
  • 21 March 2013: 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
  • Save the date: 28-30 April 2013 – The Australian Migrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance (AMaRWA) will be holding a 2 day national conference on the elimination of violence against culturally and linguistically diverse 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:

  • 7-9 November, Vancouver: 2012 National Research Day conference hosted by the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children (School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University), in partnership with the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC), the Canadian Observatory on the Justice System€™s Response to Intimate Partner Violence, and the BC Society of Transition Houses
  • 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

Read More

Media Release: Motion Passed Calling For Employer Recognition of Domestic Violence

On Thursday 11 October, Amanda Rishworth, Federal Member for Kingston, introduced a motion calling for employer recognition of the impact of domestic violence on women’s workforce participation and economic security.  Three of the Commonwealth-funded National Women’s Alliances: Equality Rights Alliance (ERA), Australian Women Against Violence Alliance (AWAVA), and economic Security 4 Women  eS4W) issued a joint media release  in support of the motion.  Read the joint media release here

Text from Hansard:

Domestic Violence and the Workplace

Debate resumed on the motion:

That this House:

(1) notes that two thirds of Australian women who have experienced domestic violence with their current partner are in paid employment;

(2) recognises the:

(a) significant impact that domestic violence can have on the employment of women who are subjected to it, including:

(i) lost productivity as a result of anxiety and distraction in the workplace;

(ii) absenteeism due to sustaining physical and psychological injuries;

(iii) disrupted work histories as victims often frequently change jobs;

(iv) lower personal incomes and reduced hours of work; and

(v) risks to personal safety in the workplace as well as to co-workers; and

(b) positive impact of the inclusion of domestic violence clauses in contracts of employment to ensure protections for victims, including:

(i) additional paid leave to enable employees subjected to domestic violence to, for example, attend court hearings and medical appointments without exhausting other forms of personal leave;

(ii) access to flexible working arrangements where possible; and

(iii) assurance that employee details will be treated confidentially and disclosure will not lead to discriminatory treatment;

(3) acknowledges the introduction of domestic violence clauses for public sector employees in both Queensland and NSW, and congratulates organisations in the private sector that have also moved to incorporate these clauses in contracts of employment; and

(4) urges all private companies and public sectors to include domestic violence clauses in their enterprise agreements to provide victims with important protections such as access to leave in addition to existing entitlements.

Question agreed to.

Read More
Go to Top