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Yesterday, October 11, was the first International Day of the Girl Child – and Australia played an important role with Prime Minister Gillard launching the day. To read the UN report click here.   A key theme was early and child marriages – see what Nepal is doing to tackle this issue, how the UNFPA will direct funds to programs to end child marriage; you can also access facts and figures on child marriage here.

And if you’re wondering why an International Day of the Girl Child is warranted – read this article in The Age for some insight.

In other news around the country:

• This week  saw more commentary on the rape and murder of Jill Meagher in Melbourne – but with the media looking at the bigger picture of gender-based violence against women, with a call to not forget the other women who have been victims/survivors of violence.  See this article from the Conversation, or the New Matilda article
• The Herald Sun reports that the justice system is failing women as perpetrators ignore and defy intervention orders
• The ABC reports huge rises in women seeking assistance from community legal centres
• The Victoria Government published its Action Plan to Address Violence against Women and Children and was reported in The Age, read the Victoria Government media release .  To read responses from the sector to the Action Plan, see AWAVA’s page on state/territory Action Plans in support of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against women and their Children
• Women with Disabilities Victoria welcomed the announcement of a funding boost to better train and support people working with women with disabilities, under the Victoria Action Plan,  particularly focussing on the complex nature of violence against women with disabilities
• The Governor General, at the launch of UN Women’s Spring Campaign, called on Australians  not to be bystanders to violence against women
• Heard of Gaslighting? Learn about it and the devastating effects it can have on women by reading this DVRCV article
• From the Minister Julie Collin’s office, this media release announces legislation that will secure Commonwealth funding contributions for the pay equity case

Internationally

• The Huffington Post reports on the Healthy Masculinity Action Project, which looks at redefining gender roles to end violence against women
• A recent UN visit to Mali highlighted disturbing reports of Human Rights abuses against women and children
• The Washington Post reports on new research that says there is evidence that the most common perpetrators of sexual violence during war are husbands, partners and family members

Resources

NEW!!

What is effective primary prevention in sexual assault?  Translating evidence into action

THE NCYLC CHILD FORCED MARRIAGE PROJECT

The National Children’s and Youth Law Centre (NCYLC) is a Community Legal Centre dedicated to addressing human rights issues for children and young people through legal change. The Centre is undertaking Australia’s first national research into child forced marriage entitled ˜Not Yours to Promise™. The aim of the project is to create a set of best practice guidelines to assist organisations in responding to child victims of forced marriage.

The Centre is consulting with community service providers and other relevant organisations about how they currently respond to incidents of child forced marriage. It will then evaluate the current responses in line with child care and protection frameworks, write a report on its findings, and create best practice guidelines to assist with responses to child victims. The Centre will also develop a range of educational resources .

The ˜Not Yours to Promise™ Survey

The Centre is surveying caseworkers and practitioners from community service providers and other relevant organisations about their experiences with children in, or at risk of forced marriage, and their views on best practice responses to child victims. The survey is a key way for the Centre to gather the experiences and views of those who have had direct experience with responding to victims who are under 18 years of age.

How you can help

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 the Centre™s survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/notyourstopromise

CSW57

Are you preparing for the Commission on the Status of Women meeting (CSW 57) from 4-15 March, 2013? 

Information related to the three opportunities for NGOs to make their voices heard during CSW 57 is now available. These are:

• Written Statements
• Oral Statements
• Interactive Panels

See: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/NGO.html

Begin preparing now to make the first deadline of 15 November 2012. 

Upcoming Events

Updated

• 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

October

• Registration open until 15 October: Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.
• 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

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November
• 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
• 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.  The conference is being held in Hobart, Tasmania, register now.
• The Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March will be held Friday 23 November, Perth

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
• 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:

• 17-20 October, London, UK: 14th Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Conference: Stop Violence Against Women – Whose voices? Whose needs? Whose decisions?
• 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

This week, violence against women has dominated many news headlines, with stories of people coming together to mourn the death of Jillian Meagher. Here are a few of the articles that crossed our virtual desks:

• Keeping Women Safe is Everyone’s Responsibility says Jerril Rechter from VicHealth
• The greenleft published this article stating ‘Women Are Not to Blame‘
• Melinda McPherson explains on newmatilda.com Why Women Claim Public Spaces As Our Own

Around the Nation

• Victorian police are trying new ways of investigating and understanding sexual assaults
• A new study highlights the number of women trafficked for sex work in Melbourne and Sydney
• This article reinforces the need to stop the forced sterilisation of women and girls with disability
• On 26 September, the State Opposition in Western Australia (WA) tabled legislation to double the maximum penalty for domestic assaults resulting in death, to a 20-year sentence.  For more information see AWAVA member website: Women’s Council For Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA)

Internationally

• During the week,  on 2 October, the UN  International Day of Non-Violence was acknowledged; to read the Secretary-General’s message click here
• Important progress has been made in Afghanistan, with officials confirming that “”running away”” (usually to escape domestic violence) is not a crime
• In Kenya, an important new ‘Alternative Rite of Passage’ sees young women not undergoing Female Genital Mutilation
• Egyptian women are becoming increasingly concerned about their rights, and threats to their lives
• Finally, a global study has found that strong feminist movements are the key to reducing violence against women

Get Involved

• The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria is urging individuals to sign their online petition against funding cuts to their Sisters Day Out program in this year™s May budget
• Deakin University’s School of Psychology is inviting migrant women to participate in an anonymous online survey about their experience with domestic violence
• Friend & Supporter Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria is seeking input through an online survey from workers supporting women who have experienced domestic violence and/or stalking as part of a study into the use of mobile technologies and devices in the context of family violence

Resources

New Resources

• ASCA™s Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Complex Trauma and Trauma Informed Care and Service Delivery have now been released and are available for download here
• Women™s Legal Services NSW launched a new secure web site Ask LOIS providing a free legal online information service for community workers in New South Wales who are rural and regionally based and are responding to women with legal needs

Upcoming Events

New!!

• Lunch & panel discussion in Sydney for the UN Day of the Girl Child on Thursday 11 October
• The Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March will be held Friday 23 November

October

• 7 October: 2-5pm, Melbourne, Women’s International Solidarity Australia are screening Dreams of Dutiful Daughters about Burmese women™s lives, showing the vulnerability of women in poverty crossing the border to Thailand and their to exposure to exploitation and violence including sex trafficking.  Cost $15-$25.  Bookings are essential RSVP.
• Registration open until 15 October: Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.
• 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

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November
• 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
• 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.  The conference is being held in Hobart, Tasmania, register now.

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
• 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:

• 17-20 October, London, UK: 14th Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Conference: Stop Violence Against Women – Whose voices? Whose needs? Whose decisions?
• 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

This week, the Federal Government have made several announcements  relating to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (National Plan) and its implementation.

AWAVA welcomes the release of the first stage Implementation Plan and its strong focus on primary prevention, working to increase gender equality to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, driving attitudinal change and building a solid evidence base:.

AWAVA™s Chair, Julie Oberin, comments: œWe need strong leadership from federal, state and territory governments, close collaboration with the preventing violence against women sector and real drive behind the National Implementation Plan. We are pleased that ending violence against women is a key priority for the Government and to see the commitment given to sharing information and good practice, and working together across jurisdictions and sectors

Here is a round-up of media releases relating to the National Plan:

• Media releases from AWAVA and the Office for Women on the National  Implementation Plan can be accessed here
• Prime Minister Gillard announced plans for a National Centre of Excellence to Reduce Violence Against Women while at the UN
• Young Australian’s learning not to cross the line on violence (media release)
• Minister Collins says the Implentation Plan is a key step in reducing violence against women
• The full National Implementation Plan can be accessed here

The Australian Government submitted their interim Report to the CEDAW Committee this week, we’ll post this on the AWAVA website when it’s publsihed on the CEDAW website.  AWAVA is particularly pleased to see the agreement to work with governments and community partners to develop a framework and methodology for evaluating the impact of the National Plan.  

In other news around the country

• Hey Sister is a new project being launched in NSW aimed at ending sexual assault in NSW Aboriginal communities
• In Queensland, new domestic and family violence legislation has been introduced – access fact sheets on the changes
• Read this interesting article on Female Genital Mutilation written by Dr Deborah Bateson from Family Planning NSW
• This article examines the media and on-line commentary surrounding the recent disappearance of Jill Meagher – most of it victim-blaming
• Read and share this open letter from the Community Legal Centres NSW, supported by AWAVA and members organisations, to the NSW Attorney General on victims compensation
• Women experiencing Domestic and Family Violence are the main users of homelessness services, and this increases with remoteness according to this report

Internationally

• At a UN General Assembly side meeting, Nations have been urged to pledge funding to help stop rape as a weapon of war
• The UN released this report on violence against women with disabilities
• Join the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women:  watch this YouTube clip to see why stars such as Robert Redford have joined the campaign
• This Q&A with Maxine Marcus looks at justice for women and gender-based violence (takes time to load)

Get Involved!!

Submissions are now being called for into the Senate inquiry into forced or coerced sterilisation of people with disabilities.  To find out more and get involved –click here (requires Facebook login)

Upcoming Events

October

• 2 October: Everyone™s Business: developing workplace programs for the primary prevention of violence against women , register on-line now
• 4 October:  Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW is celebrating their 30th Anniversary by hosting a special screening of the documentary ‘Miss Representation’, 5.30pm: Meet & Mingle + Drinks, 6.30pm: Screening & Forum at Dendy Opera Quays, Circular Quay, Sydney.  Buy tickets here ($30-$40)
• 7 October: 2-5pm, Melbourne, Women’s International Solidarity Australia are screening Dreams of Dutiful Daughters about Burmese women™s lives, showing the vulnerability of women in poverty crossing the border to Thailand and their to exposure to exploitation and violence including sex trafficking.  Cost $15-$25.  Bookings are essential RSVP.
• Registration open until 15 October: Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.
• WESNET’s Safety Net Technology Safety Training is coming to Canberra 31 October, 1 November – click here for more information and to register

November

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November
• 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
• 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.  The conference is being held in Hobart, Tasmania, register now.

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
• 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:

• 17-20 October, London, UK: 14th Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Conference: Stop Violence Against Women – Whose voices? Whose needs? Whose decisions?
• 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

Changes to the definition of domestic violence and abuse were announced this week in Australia and in the UK: the definition in Queensland has been expanded to include non-violent behaviour, and in the UK  ‘coercive control’ – the pattern of ongoing power and control – is now recognised.

This is particularly significant given preparations for the 57th session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57) started this week in Bangkok (17-20 September), with experts worldwide meeting to discuss the priority theme: Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. Expert papers include the UK’s Marai Larasi’s Media as a site to Prevent Violence Against Women and Lara Fergus’ background paper on prevention of violence against women – a ‘must read’ for those preparing to go to CSW in March 2013.

UK Professor, Liz Kelly, was over in Australia and gave a seminar on the UK National Plan and European approaches to addressing violence against women.  She gave an important reminder that the needs of survivors need to be at  the centre, women-only services are important to restore control and we need “”One Stop People”” to support women, rather than splitting off women’s lives into “”issues””.   It was interesting to hear her views that the strength of UK Strategy on VAW is its focus on primary prevention and that there is a need to strengthen engagement across all of Government.

In the news…

Around the country

• Queensland’s new domestic and family violence legislation came into effect on 17 September and includes a new definition for domestic and family violence which includes behaviour such as economic, emotional and psychological abuse, physical or sexual abuse or other behaviour which controls or dominates another person

Internationally

• Today, 21 September, is  Peace Day where people worldwide gather in the name of Peace and non-violence, the other news from around the world this week shows there is still a way to go
• In Scotland, The Scotsman highlights that reports of domestic abuse have risen by 9% in the last year; it’s not clear if the latest figures reflect an increase in crime or an increase in reporting
• Amnesty international has urged the Afghan Government to promptly enforce the law on Elimination of Violence Against Women (enacted in August 2009, but only sporadically enforced), following the public flogging (100 lashes) of  a 16-year-old girl, on 16 September for an œillicit relationship with a boy
• United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, has said violence against women and girls is among the most pressing issues that Indigenous Peoples face today, in his statement to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
• In her address to the UN Human Rights Council, Australian Professor Megan Davis, said the very nature of legal systems and their structural bias can render Indigenous women “”invisible””, Professor Davis highlights the importance of increasing participation of Indigenous people in the design, delivery and oversight of programs aimed at preventing and providing remedies for violence against women and girls
• The definition of domestic abuse has been widened in the UK to include non-violent coercive behaviour and under 18s, changes will be implemented in March 2013.   The UK Home Office press release and the Deputy Prime Minister’s website provide more detail.  This article in The Guardian emphasises that including young people will not automatically improve their safety and that services are already over-stretched and under-resourced.

Can you help?  Call for interview and survey participants on sexual assault on older women

Preventing Sexual Assault of Older Women is a three year project which is exploring the sexual assault of older women through the perspectives of older women, their families and service providers. The project’s broad aim is to strengthen the community’s ability to prevent the sexual assault of older women that occurs in private homes, aged care settings and the wider community.

The project is a collaboration Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University and the National Ageing Research Institute; the McCaughey Centre; The Centre for Women’s Health, Gender and Society; Alzheimer’s Australia and the Council on the Ageing, Victoria.

Researchers want to hear from:

1) Older women who have been sexually assaulted (after the age of 65 years+)

2) The families/friends of older women who have been sexually assaulted

3) Service providers who work with older women/ or other related services

For further information about interviews or to receive a survey pack click here  Alternatively, you can complete the survey by clicking on the link to the following website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/preventingsexualassaultofolderwomen

Upcoming Events

NEW EVENTS!!

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!

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

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.  The conference is being held in Hobart, Tasmania, register now.

‘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

September

• 24 September: A FREE Workshop on responding to Older people at risk of family violence, Victoria – click here for more details
• 26 September: Women’s Legal Services NSW will hold its 30th Birthday Celebration Gala Dinner 
• 27 September: Sexual violence in intimate partner relationships training, in Melbourne
• Registration open until 30 September: Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.

October

• 2 October: Everyone™s Business: developing workplace programs for the primary prevention of violence against women on , register on-line now
• 4 October:  Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW is celebrating their 30th Anniversary by hosting a special screening of the documentary ‘Miss Representation’, 5.30pm: Meet & Mingle + Drinks, 6.30pm: Screening & Forum at Dendy Opera Quays, Circular Quay, Sydney.  Buy tickets here ($30-$40)
• 7 October: 2-5pm, Melbourne, Women’s International Solidarity Australia are screening Dreams of Dutiful Daughters about Burmese women™s lives, showing the vulnerability of women in poverty crossing the border to Thailand and their to exposure to exploitation and violence including sex trafficking.  Cost $15-$25.  Bookings are essential RSVP.
• WESNET’s Safety Net Technology Safety Training is coming to Canberra 31 October, 1 November – click here for more information and to register

November

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November

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

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

Domestic and family violence were a key new’s focus last week with major announcements in Victoria (see below for a round-up!) and the 7th National Homelessness Conference highlighting the impact domestic and family violence can have on women and their children.  Bob McColl, ABS Statistician,  pointed out at the conference that domestic violence is still the number one driver of homelessness in Australia and AWAVA’s Chair, Julie Oberin, emphasised the need to link gender inequality to violence against women.

The news…

Around the Country

• The Australian reports that, in Victoria, domestic violence accounts for 38% of assaults.   Read the Herald Sun’s Opinion Piece here as well as Premier Ted Baillieu pledging an extra $16 million for counselling and support services in Victoria (includes Vic Police statistics)
• Women’s Health Victoria says that increased reports of domestic and family violence is not all bad news – read their media release outlining greater community confidence to report to police and that police are taking matters seriously
• Read the formal Victorian Government announcement of $16million funding boost for services, including:
  • an extra $9.25 million for additional family violence counselling and case management, supporting an additional 1,200 women and children a year
  • an extra $3.75 million for sexual assault counselling, which is expected to decrease overall waiting times from an average of 6 weeks to approximately 3 weeks and allow virtually all victims of recent assaults to be seen at the time of reporting or soon afterwards; and
  • an extra $3 million for men’s behaviour changes programs to nearly double the number of places in court-directed programs, and to pilot new schemes for teenagers who are violent in their homes and offenders in prison or on community based orders
• AWAVA Advisory Group Members, DVVic, made comment in the media following the announcements- click here for ABC news interview.  Fiona McCormack, DV Vic CEO in this interview states that the $16 million is welcomed but the reality is it isn’t anywhere near enough to meet demand.  Investment is needed in preventing violence before it happens in the first place and it’s not an ‘either/or’ for investment
• Women’s Health Victoria will launched its campaign Women can be Healthy, Empowered and Equal to link in with Melbourne Spring Fashion week (3 “ 9 September 2012) which included Violence against Women as a focus
• More from Women’s Health Victoria: Take a Stand engages men at work to prevent family violence
• Take some time to read Anne Summers’s speech at the  2012 Human Rights and Social Justice Lecture to the University of Newcastle. Her speech looks at the sexism and discrimination experienced by Julia Gillard – and please take note of the warning she gives at the start of the speech!

Internationally

• Pakistan reports on the increasing instances of revenge violence, (also called “”Honour Violence””)
• Scotland has seen a rise in reports of forced marriage
• This UK article on sexual assault looks at women’s experiences of sexual assault in everyday life
• Still in the UK, this article highlights the ommission of protections for women seeking asylum in the Violence Against Women and Girls’ Strategy

Get Involved!

The House of Representatives inquiry into Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking is now calling for submissions. Submissions close Friday 28 September. Click here to find out more

Upcoming Events

NEW!!

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

September

• The Participatory Justice and Victims Conference will be held in Canberra, 17-18 September
• The Southern Regional Alliance conference is now open for registrations and will be held 20-21 September
• Take action on Peace Day 21 September, and become part of the largest gathering of people in the name of Peace and non violence. Watch the YouTube clip here
• A FREE Workshop on responding to Older people at risk of family violence will be held 24 September in Victoria – click here for more details
• Women’s Legal Services NSW will hold its 30th Birthday Celebration Gala Dinner on 26 September
• Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.  Registration is open until 30 September

October

• Everyone™s Business: developing workplace programs for the primary prevention of violence against women will be held 2 October, register on-line now

November

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November

Later

• 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, 21 March 2013. Find out more here

Internationally:

• 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, invites you to join the 2012 National Research Day conference,  held 7-9 November in Vancouver

Last week AWAVA was excited to attend the formal launch of the Stopping Violence Against Women Before It Starts: A Practical Toolkit for Communities by Minister Julie Collins at the Country Women™s Association of Australia National Conference, in Hobart.  The Toolkit was featured on ABC news.

 

The 15 easy-to-understand Toolkit factsheets support the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children and explains the concept of primary prevention of violence against women, setting the focus on the community as the driving force for changing societal attitudes.

 

Click to download the Toolkit from the National Rural Women’s Network or order a hard copy for $35.  Find out more information on the development of the Toolkit here.

 

Read more in Minister Collins’ media release and the Project Partners’ media release.

Around the Nation

• In NSW, after a year long inquiry, there are calls for the State Government to increase police and court powers for domestic and family violence crimes. The report highlights the need for leadership, strategies to address violence against Aboriginal women and the need for significant funds to effect real change. You can read the ABC’s report here
• Still in NSW, family members of a woman killed by her husband who claimed “”provocation”” as a defence, have appealed to a Parliamentary Inquiry to change the “”provocation defence”” law
• There are calls on the Victorian Government to make ending domestic violence a priority
• AWAVA and NATSIWA’s NGOs’ Follow-up Report to the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was featured in an article in Bendigo’s (VIC) local media
• Wyndham City, Victoria, has adopted a new Gender Equitable, Safe and Inclusive Communities action plan as part of their Preventing Violence Against Women in Our Community pilot, which seeks to promote a whole of community approach to preventing violence against women and encourage gender equity
• The National Union of Students have launched a video as part of their In Your Own Voice campaign – (video warning: ‘language’ alert)
• White Ribbon have launched a new campaign for Fathers’ Day MANifesto for fathers against violence
• and finally, read Minister Julie Collins’ recent media release concerning cuts to services, including domestic violence services, in Queensland

Around the World

Last week we shared with you the disturbing comments from high-profile males worldwide about their ‘interpretation’ of rape; this week we share the “”Renegade Raging Grannies”” video, a musical response to Todd Akin’s statement about ‘legitimate’ rape (video warning: the Raging Grannies use some very colourful language towards the end!)

• Nairobi has hosted a meeting of social activists and entrepeneurs from 18 African countries focussed on ending gender-based violence
• New research in the UK has found that GPs receive minimal training in supporting domestic violence victims/survivors
• Watch this video on the steps being taken to end violence against women in PNG

Reports and Resources

New Reports!!

• Forgotten Sisters- A Report on Violence Against Women with Disabilities: An Overview of its Nature, Scope, Causes and Consequences from the Northeastern University School of Law, USA, is now available
• Male and female assault offending in Australia looks at the rates of male and female assaults in Australia, particularly in light of recent media reports focussing on the rise of females involved in assault cases
• “”Leadership to address domestic violence must be driven from highest levels to bring about the change that is so necessary””  and œThis policy area (DV) deserves no less than the leadership of the Premier”” says the NSW Legistlative Council report

Upcoming Events

NEW!!

• The Grey Man Fundraiser will be held this week, 5 September –  learn more about the Grey Man organisation work to stop human trafficking here
• A FREE Workshop on responding to Older people at risk of family violence will be held 24 September in Victoria – click here for more details
• Everyone™s Business: developing workplace programs for the primary prevention of violence against women will be held 2 October, register on-line now

September

• See the change in date for the Red Cross Trafficking Training in Sydney now 11 September – click here to find out more
• The Participatory Justice and Victims Conference will be held in Canberra, 17-18 September
• The Southern Regional Alliance conference is now open for registrations and will be held 20-21 September
• Take action on Peace Day 21 September, and become part of the largest gathering of people in the name of Peace and non violence. Watch the YouTube clip here
• Standing firm for change: a journey to justice is a national conference run by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria. The conference will be held on 21-23 November 2012, in Melbourne.  Registration is open until 30 September
• Women’s Legal Services NSW will hold its 30th Birthday Celebration Gala Dinner on 26 September

November

• The No To Violence conference is in November 2012
• Law Enforcement and Public Health Conference in Melbourne, November 2012
• The First National Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference will be held 20-21 November

Later

• 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, 21 March 2013. Find out more here

Internationally:

• 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, invites you to join the 2012 National Research Day conference,  held 7-9 November in Vancouver