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

AWAVA Weekly Round-Up Archives

Male Champions of Change Forum and more* Weekly Round-up 1 September 2015

Welcome to the latest weekly round-up from the responding to violence against women sector. The 2015 Male Champions of Change business forum was held in Sydney on Tuesday. We are pleased to see the commitment of leaders in the business community to tackling both gender equality and domestic violence, and are delighted that domestic violence is increasingly being recognised as a workplace issue in public discourse. Read retired Lieutenant General, David Morrison’s, insightful speech from the forum here. For more information about the initiative, have a look at their website here!

Around the country

At the recent Male Champions of Change event, former Lieutenant General, David Morrison, has compared domestic violence to war zone horrors.
Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Melbourne, Kaye Quek, has written about the need for education on gender-based violence prevention both in schools and in the broader community.
Jenna Price talks to women working to protect Aboriginal women from violence.
Daphne Haneman, writer and former domestic violence victim/survivor, has written about the need for the legal system to recognise trauma experienced by domestic violence victims.
The Country Women’s Association of Australia’s national conference was held in Port Macquarie this week.
In the ACT, midwives may be given greater responsibility to screen pregnant women for signs of domestic violence under a plan proposed by health professionals.
In NSW, Safe Haven Refuge for women has been given a $9750 CommBank grant under the Sisters of Charity Outreach program.
In Queensland, the Not Now Not Ever report, which was adopted by the government last week, has been praised for its prominent inclusion of LGBT communities.

Around the world

Get involved!

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is recruiting for the position of Senior Project Officer (Perpetrator Interventions). More information here!
The Damned Whores and God’s Police 40 Years On Conference on Anne Summer’s seminal text by the same name will be held at the University of Technology Sydney, from 21 – 23 September 2015. Register here!
The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
The Festival of THE Rural Woman, a free online global event, is running from 12 – 15 October 2015. Register here!
The Canberra Community Sleepout will be held on 16 October 2015. Find out here how you can get involved and help combat homelessness in Canberra!
The 3^rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held in The Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015. More information here!

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

Victoria to introduce domestic violence leave and more** Weekly Round-Up 24 August 2015

Welcome to AWAVA’s weekly round-up! This week, we bring great news from Victoria, where the government has introduced family violence leave for public servants. We would like to congratulate the government for recognising domestic violence as a workplace issue and showing commitment to securing women’s economic independence! For further commentary on the implications of domestic violence leave, listen to Gender Violence Research Network’s Shabnam Hameed, as she discusses the importance of supportive workplace conditions for victims of domestic violence in this interview.

Around the Country

Support workers have called for reforms to the legal system for sexual assault cases.
The Legal Services Commissioner has expressed concerns about the use of technology in domestic violence cases, stating that almost 80 per cent of domestic violence cases involve the use of technology.
A number of recent reports, including a UN report, have shown that Australia has one of the highest rates of reported sexual assault in the world.
Melissa Jeltsen has compiled stories of six women and their experience of domestic violence.
[This piece includes descriptions of violence and sexual assault that may be distressing]
In Queensland, the government has adopted all 140 recommendations made in the Not Now, Not Everreport. For commentary on the prospects of this strategy, read Janet Ransley and Christine Bond’s analysis in The Conversation.
In Victoria, the government will introduce Respectful Relationship Programs in 30 Victorian schools as part of a pilot program starting next year.
Also in Victoria, a study undertaken by Victoria Care shows high rates of sexual assault involving children in the state’s residential care system.
In Tasmania, support groups have congratulated the government on its “nation-leading” family violence plan as they await details and break down of funding.
In the ACT, government workers including bus drivers, rangers and police, will be given domestic violence training as part of the second phase of the government’s Prevention of Violence Against Women Strategy.

Around the World

In Papua New Guinea, a free domestic violence hotline has been launched in response to high rates of violence against women and girls.
In Colombia, officials recently passed a law criminalising femicide – defined as the killing of a woman by a man because of her gender.
In Cambodia, government and activists are harnessing the potential of technology and social media to address and prevent violence against women.
In California, United States, a new law has been passed to afford greater protection to transgender individuals who are victims of hate crimes.

Research, Resources and Reports

The Senate’s domestic violence report was tabled on Thursday last week. Recommendations including domestic violence training for judges and domestic violence leave can be found here.

Get Involved!

YWCA Canberra is looking for a Communications and Advocacy Officer. Apply here!
The Damned Whores and God’s Police 40 Years On Conference on Anne Summer’s seminal text by the same name will be held at the University of Technology Sydney, from 21 – 23 September 2015. Register here!
The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
The Festival of THE Rural Woman, a free online global event, is running from 12 – 15 October 2015. Register here!
The Canberra Community Sleepout will be held on 16 October 2015. Find out here how you can get involved and help combat homelessness in Canberra!
The 3^rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held in The Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015. More information here!

Tasmania Government promises $25.6 million in funding for a family violence plan and more* Weekly Round-Up 18 August 2015

Welcome to this week’s round-up! Every week, we provide you with links detailing developments in the responding to violence against women sector over the past week. This week, we have encouraging news from Tasmania, where the government has promised $25.6 million in funding for a state-wide family violence plan. The plan includes efforts to improve crisis support, legal responses to domestic violence and community awareness programs. AWAVA is delighted to see that the Tasmania Government is committed to addressing women’s safety. We will be updating you on the implementation of the program so keep an eye out for our newsletters!

Around the country

Child protection and domestic violence experts are advocating for children to have more of a say in settling custody matters in the Family Court. The issue has gained much needed media attention following a letter written to The Sunday Telegraph by a 14 year old victim of domestic violence.
[Trigger Warning: descriptions of domestic violence]
Brain Injury Australia has found that three women per week are being hospitalised for brain injuries resulting from domestic violence.
In the ACT, the government has promised $75 000 in funding to the Women’s Services Network to train frontline domestic violence workers in responding to technological abuse.
Also in the ACT, the government has responded to a report from Domestic Violence Prevention Council, agreeing to all 33 recommendations made in the report in some form.
Again in the ACT, experts have welcomed proposals to establish a specialist domestic violence court. However, they have also expressed concerns about loss of funding to other services and other unintended consequences that may follow.
In NSW, the government has announced that it will be conducting a review of domestic violence sentencing.
The Royal Commission into Family Violence has heard that funding for an initiative providing free legal help to patients at the Royal Women’s Hospital will run out by June 2016.
General Practitioner, Kelsey Hegarty, has told the Royal Commission that ongoing trauma experienced by family violence victims has led to victims being deemed psychologically unstable in court, thereby undermining their position in child custody cases.
Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, emphasised the importance of early school based prevention programs in a submission made to the Royal Commission.

Around the World

193 governments have come together in formulating the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, which places significant emphasis on empowering girls and women.
In India, the Universities Grants Council has instructed all universities to establish a separate department to address sexual assault cases and gender sensitisation programs.
In Botswana, the Botswana Congress Party Women’s League has urged the government to sign the South African Development Community (SADC) Gender Protocol.
In Uganda, Archbishop Lwanga has called on the government to implement the Domestic Violence Act that was passed in 2010.

Research, Reports and Resources

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has recently released a state of knowledge paper titled ‘Building effective policies and services to promote women’s economic security following domestic violence’.

Get Involved!

YWCA Canberra is looking for a Communications and Advocacy Officer. Apply here!
The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
The Canberra Community Sleepout will be held on 16 October 2015. Find out here how you can get involved and help combat homelessness in Canberra!
The Family Violence Has No Boundaries: Cultural Diversity and Prevention National Conference has been rescheduled to 26 and 27 October 2015.
The 3^rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held in The Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015. More information here!
Ask LOIS (Legal Online Information Service) is a free online service, providing legal information to community workers assisting women in NSW. Find out more about upcoming webinars on various legal issues on their website.

National Roundtable on violence against women in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and more*

Welcome to the latest edition of AWAVA’s Round-Up of the Anti-Violence against Women Sector. This week, the government held a National Roundtable on violence against women in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Follow AWAVA_women on Twitter for updates from the Roundtable! You can also download a copy of the family safety pack that was launched at the Roundtable here. In addition, the government has announced that it will provide women who arrive in Australia on partner visas with information packs on domestic violence before they migrate. AWAVA is pleased to see that addressing the unique experiences of CALD women is high on the agenda!

Around the Country

The Federal Government has introduced a new means test to be applied by Community Legal Centres across Australia. It is argued that this will effectively deprive thousands of Australians of crisis legal support.
Kerry Carrington, Professor of Criminology at the Queensland University of Technology, has proposed a trial of women-only police stations in Australia.
The Royal Commission into Family Violence has heard from Dandenong police about the drop in reoffending since the zero tolerance approach to domestic violence was introduced 18 months ago.
In a submission to the Commission, Victoria Police have recommended that police officers should be able to grant and vary the terms of intervention orders at the scene of domestic violence incidents.
The Commission has also heard from the Supreme Court of Victoria about the lack of appropriate facilities in its heritage listed buildings, including outdated technology, which is undermining victims’ safety.
In NSW, two specialist District Court judges have been appointed for child sexual assault cases.
In Victoria, University of Melbourne Professors, Kelsey Hegarty and Cathy Humphreys, have established the Research Alliance to End Violence against Women and Children in order to encourage interdisciplinary research on the topic.
In Tasmania, Premier Will Hodgman has promised to allocate more resources to combatting domestic violence, following a meeting with Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty.

Around the World

In Somalia, the Ministry of Women Affairs has announced that it is planning to introduce a new law that will ban female genital mutilation.
In Canada, members of the Canadian Football League will undergo mandatory training on preventing violence against women.
In New Zealand, Justice Minister Amy Adams has proposed the creation of standalone domestic violence laws.
In Indonesia, reforms to the system allowing discriminatory by-laws to be enforced may result in fewer by-laws, and increased protection for women and other minority groups.
In the UK, Cambridge University has revised its guidelines on reporting sexual assault and harassment following criticism that its previous disciplinary system was inadequate.

Research, Resources and Reports

The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Committee has released a report on improving women’s access to justice.
YWCA Canberra has launched ‘Relationship Things’, an online resource for young people that explores topics around respect, communication, gender equality, diversity, safe sex and consent.

Get Involved!

YWCA Canberra is hosting its ‘She Leads Workshop’ on 11 August 2015. These workshops are designed to equip women with skills to take on leadership positions on boards. Register here by COB 10 August 2015.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is hosting two public lectures with internationally renowned scholar on legal responses to domestic violence, Professor Leigh Goodmark, on 10 and 14 August 2015. Register here!
Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, will discuss her role and the development of her 2015 Parliamentary report through a webinar at 1pm on 12 August 2015. Registerhere!
The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
The Canberra Community Sleepout will be held on 16 October 2015. Find out here how you can get involved and help combat homelessness in Canberra!
The 3^rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held in the Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015. More information here!
Ask LOIS (Legal Online Information Service) is a free online service, providing legal information to community workers assisting women in NSW. Find out more about upcoming webinars on various legal issues on their website.

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.
unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Labor Government advocates for paid domestic violence leave and more* Weekly Round-Up 4 August

Welcome to AWAVA’s weekly round-up. This week, the number of women killed as a result of domestic violence has tragically increased to 53. Given the extent and severity of gender based violence, AWAVA is of the firm belief that all sections of society need to challenge culturally entrenched beliefs and work towards achieving gender equality.

Get Involved!

AWAVA is hiring! We are recruiting a Program Manager to lead our Canberra secretariat. Apply here!
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is hosting two public lectures with internationally renowned scholar on legal responses to domestic violence, Professor Leigh Goodmark, on 10 and 14 August 2015. Register here!
Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, will discuss her role and the development of her 2015 Parliamentary report through a webinar at 1pm on 12 August 2015. Registerhere!
The Women’s World Summit Foundation’s new campaign – 17 Days of Activism for the Empowerment of Rural Women and their Communities – begins on 1 October 2015. More information here!
The 2015 National Indigenous Domestic Violence Conference will be held on 7 October 2015 in Carrara, Queensland.
Ask LOIS (Legal Online Information Service) is a free online service, providing legal information to community workers assisting women in NSW. Find out more about upcoming webinars on various legal issues on their website.

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.
unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The government has announced a domestic violence order scheme and more* Weekly Round-Up 28 July

Welcome to the latest edition of AWAVA’s weekly round-up. The Royal Commission into Family Violence continues in Victoria this week. Find out more about developments from the Royal Commission in our special Royal Commission section! You can also live stream the hearings and read all the submissions made to the Commission on their website.

In other news, The Prime Minister has urged men to speak up on domestic violence while announcing a domestic violence order scheme, making orders taken out in any state enforceable across the country. This is in addition to the recent announcement that the government will allocate $30 million to a campaign on domestic violence education and advertising around the country. We are pleased to see commitment from the government in tackling domestic violence and look forward to the implementation of these programs.

If you wish to get involved with AWAVA, consider applying for AWAVA’s Program Manager position. More information here!

Royal Commission into Family Violence

The first and second weeks of the Royal Commission into Family Violence saw the Commission hear from a range of stakeholders, offering insights into key issues in the sector. Over the past two weeks, the Commission has heard from experts in the following areas – children, financial abuse and empowerment, alcohol and drugs, experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, housing, mental health, risk management and perpetrator interventions. At the conclusion of the first week, Melissa Davey from the Guardian identified seven key lessons learned from the submissions so far. Unsurprisingly, central to her analysis is the recognition that family violence is extremely complex and multi-faceted, essentially confirming the sector’s long standing belief. Here are some of the discussions that have been taking place in relation to the Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission has heard from stakeholders that domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness.
Dr Angela Spinney from Swinburne University told the commission to consider the ‘safe at home’ model, where the victim remains at home and the perpetrator is removed.
The Commission has also highlighted that family violence incidents involving alcohol and drugs are on the rise.
Commissioner for Aboriginal Children, Andrew Jackomos, told the Commission that Aboriginal women who are victims of family violence are being kept in jail for their own safety due to the limited availability of emergency accommodation.
The Victorian Government’s 10 year Strong Culture Strong Peoples Strong Family plan, aimed at preventing family violence, was criticised at the Royal Commission for its inadequacy in addressing violence against Aboriginal women.
Support services have made submissions on incorporating financial abuse in responding to family violence.
On the topic of financial abuse, the Commission has heard from community groups and survivors about the phenomenon of dowry abuse.
The Commission has also heard about abuse of the elderly at the hand of their families and factors such as shame and embarrassment that act as barriers to reporting.

Around the Country

The Immigration Department has introduced a new visa category, allowing trafficked people and their families to stay in Australia while they help with police investigations.
In a recent Senate inquiry, the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia has urged for more to be done to protect spouses and children of military personnel from domestic violence.
In Victoria, the government has announced $400 000 in funding for a new state-wide program to reduce gender inequality and disability discrimination in the workforce.
Also in Victoria, in response to a recent inquest into the death of 4 year old, Darcey Iris Freeman,Judge Gray is investigating the applicability of mandatory reporting obligations to legal professionals, doctors and counsellors if they have any concerns about the risk of family violence.
In the ACT, the government is trialling a new program, aimed at altering the behaviour of domestic violence offenders.
Again in the ACT, Greens Minister, Shane Rattenbury, has proposed draft legislation creating exclusion zones outside abortion clinics in order to prevent anti-abortion protests directly outside abortion clinics.
In NSW, Premier Mike Baird has urged the NRL to formally suspend members charged with domestic violence offences.
In South Australia, Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, has announced major restructuring to address domestic violence, placing the issue high on his priorities list.

Around the World

In Canada, the Court of Appeal has rejected the argument that cultural differences can be used to justify a light sentence for domestic violence.
In India, the Pam Rajput Committee, a government appointed panel, has advised the government to criminalise marital rape.
In Central China, police officers are being trained in domestic violence intervention.
In the Pacific, UN Women has launched a new toolkit, titled “How to design projects to end violence against women and girls”.

Get Involved!

Applications for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship Program are now open! This Australian Government and Australian Institute of Company Directors funded scholarship is open to women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or come from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, and aims to increase representation on Australian boards. Apply here!
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety is recruiting a Senior Diversity Data Research Officer. Applications close on 30 July. Apply here!
YWCA Queensland is calling for applications for its inaugural Leadership Internship. Applications close on 31 July.
YWCA Canberra is holding a film screening of East Timorese film, Beatriz’s War, on July 30. More information here!
Homelessness Australia is hosting the national launch of Homelessness Prevention Week 2015 and ‘I stepped up to end youth homelessness forum’ on Monday, 3 August in the ACT.
Ask LOIS (Legal Online Information Service) is a free online service, providing legal information to community workers assisting women in NSW. Find out more about upcoming webinars on various legal issues on their website.

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.
unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The Royal Commission into Family Violence, Victoria, begins public hearings and more* Weekly Round-Up 20 July

Welcome to this week’s AWAVA Round-Up for the latest information from the responding to violence against women sector. AWAVA is hiring! We are looking for a Program Manager to lead our Canberra secretariat. More information on the role can be found here! Applications close on 03 August.

In other news, Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence (RCFV) began public hearings in Melbourneon Monday, 13 July. The Royal Commission into Family Violence, established earlier this year to investigate practical solutions to respond to violence against women, is the first such body to be set up in Australia. Over the next couple of weeks, the commission will hear from a range of stakeholders, including victims, family violence experts as well as the police. If, like us, you wish to follow the developments closely, visit the RCFV website for a copy of all the submissions and live streaming of the hearings. We are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge and perspectives that the various submissions will bring to the sector!

Around the Country

In Queensland, nearly half of all homicides have been linked to domestic violence.
Also in Queensland, Quentin Bryce has expressed her support for the Queensland government’s financial commitment to addressing domestic violence in the state budget. More information on the budget can be found here.
In South Australia, the number of restraining orders issued has increased by 60% in the 2014/15 financial year.
In NSW, domestic violence victims in Goulburn no longer have access to specific domestic violence refuges ever since the seven bed women’s refuge closed last year after it failed to secure funding.
In the ACT, sexual assault and domestic violence victims will be given the option of confronting their attackers as part of the expansion of ACT’s restorative justice program.
In Victoria, CEO of VicHealth, Jerrill Richter has suggested that adopting a public health approach to domestic violence is central to addressing the problem.
Also in Victoria, chiefs of the Magistrate’s Court and Children’s Court have called for funding increases and changes to the current court system in a joint submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Rosie Batty has asked for compulsory domestic violence prevention lessons to be delivered to all school students.
Our Watch and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety have commissioned a joint study into media reporting on domestic violence.
Cathy Humphreys and Krisitin Diemer from University of Melbourne write about terrorism and domestic violence.

Around the World

In Turkey, victims of domestic violence are using a new mobile phone app called ‘Easy Rescue’ to get in contact with emergency services, such as police, ambulance and government hotlines.
In Cambodia, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has launched the ‘Good Men’ campaign to promote gender equality and stop violence against women.
In Qatar, the United Nations Population Fund and the Doha International Family Institute have signed aMemorandum of Understanding to address issues such as Gender-Based Violence and child marriage.
In Sierra Leone, the government recently ratified the Maputo Protocol, which addresses issues such as female genital mutilation and violence against women.

Get Involved!

The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services are holding a Family Violence Group Work Forum on 20 July in Bundoora, Victoria. Register here!
YWCA Canberra is holding a film screening of East Timorese film, Beatriz’s War, on 30 July. More information here!
Applications are open for the ‘Family Violence Has No Boundaries: Cultural Diversity and Prevention’ conference to be held in Melbourne on 24 and 25 September. Submit abstracts by emailing[email protected] by 27 July. More information can be found here.
YWCA Queensland is calling for applications for its inaugural Leadership Internship. Applications close on 31 July.
The Telematics Trust is now accepting applications for its open grant rounds. Applications close on 24 August. More information can be found here.

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.
unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Queensland government to trial a specialist domestic violence court and more* Weekly Round-Up 13 July 2015

Welcome to the latest edition of AWAVA’s Weekly Round-Up. This week, the Queensland government took a very positive step in announcing that it will trial a specialist domestic violence court. We are pleased to see that significant steps are being taken to improve women’s access to justice and are looking forward to future developments in this area. Please subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the future of the domestic violence court, as well as other news from the responding to violence against women sector.

Around the Country

In Victoria, the government has allocated $4 million to frontline response services.
Also in Victoria, the government will fund a new pet care program to ensure that pets are looked after when their owners are escaping family violence.
In NSW, a recent news report has highlighted the difficulties faced by NSW refuges in catering to increasing demand for their services due to limited funding and capacity. In response to this, the government has said that it is open to increasing services.
In Tasmania, a vigil was organised by support groups to honour the lives of women killed as a result of domestic violence.
A new poll shows that three quarters of Australians perceive domestic violence to be a greater threat than terrorism.
CEO of Royal Women’s Hospital, Dr Sue Matthews, has discussed the need to train health professionals to assess and respond to domestic violence. Dr Matthews also endorses Labor MP, Sharon Knight’s proposal to recruit hairdressers and bartenders in efforts to prevent family violence, backed up by research showing that women are more likely to confide in someone they trust outside their circle of family and friends.
Research carried out by the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre has shown that more investment is needed in men’s behaviour programs to prevent violence against women.
Latest Crime Statistics Agency figures show that family violence order breaches have increased three fold in five years.
The ABC has released a new addition to its series explaining how the front lines of responding to domestic violence operate. This particular section covers women’s refuges.
SBS Living Black Radio has started a radio series to encourage dialogue about violence against Aboriginal women.
Five women share their experiences of domestic violence in this Guardian Australia special.
[Trigger Warning: descriptions of domestic violence]

Around the World

In the Central African Republic, the International Organisation for Migration has received CAD 1.024 million from the Canadian Government to support efforts in reducing sexual and gender based violence.
In France, the government is introducing a number of measures to address sexual harassment on public transport.
In Ireland, Emma Murphy, a victim of domestic violence, uploaded a video about domestic violencewhich has gone viral on the internet and has attracted much needed attention to the issue. [Trigger Warning: descriptions of domestic violence]
Photographer, Ann-Christine Woehrl’s recent work, In/Visible, documents the struggles and hopes of acid and fire attack victims from six countries. [Trigger Warning: Violence against women, acid and fire attacks]

Research, Resources and Reports

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has recently released two knowledge papers. The Papers titled ‘What does it take? Developing informed and effective tertiary responses to violence and abuse of women and girls with disabilities in Australia’ and ‘Seeking help for domestic violence: Exploring rural women’s coping experiences’ can be found here, along with other research papers produced by the organisation.

Get Involved!

The Women’s Legal Service Victoria is holding an interactive workshop on July 14 to improve workers’ knowledge of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act (VOCAT). Register here by July 7!
The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services are holding a Family Violence Group Work Forum on July 20 in Bundoora, Victoria. Register here!
Applications are open for the ‘Family Violence Has No Boundaries: Cultural Diversity and Prevention’ conference to be held in Melbourne on 24 and 25 September. Submit abstracts by emailing[email protected] by July 27. More information can be found here.
YWCA Queensland is calling for applications for its inaugural Leadership Internship. Applications close on 31 July 2015.
The Telematics Trust is now accepting applications for its open grant rounds. Applications close on 24 August. More information can be found here.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is currently recruiting a Research Manager. Applications close on July 16. More information on the positions can be foundhere!

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Round-Up. AWAVA is recruiting! We are looking for a Program Manager to lead our Canberra secretariat. More information on the role can be found here.
In other news, a five year national partnership agreement on legal assistance services was signed this week. This agreement promises $1.3 billion of Commonwealth funding for legal aid commissions and community legal centres, including Women’s Legal Centres across the country. While the agreement provides community legal centres with certainty about funding, the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) hasexpressed concern over the funding cuts locked into the National Partnership Agreement. Watch this space for future developments!

Around the Country

In NSW, the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT) has been implemented state-wide to help police combat domestic violence.
Also in NSW, a review into domestic violence in NSW by the Ombudsman has found that 83 children have died as a result of domestic violence in the last decade.
Again in NSW, high schools will introduce lessons specifically on domestic violence, making NSW the first state to do so.
Victoria Police has made a submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, suggesting that domestic violence offenders be placed on a register open to people seeking information on their partner’s history. In response to this submission, Rosie Batty has questioned the benefit of the register, saying that the focus should be on intervention.
Again in Victoria, the State Government will consider legal reform, including making domestic violence a specific crime, as a response to domestic violence.
Australia’s only sexual assault network for Aboriginal women, Hey Sis We’ve Got Your Back, is facing closure as its primary source of funding from individuals and private institutions runs out.
Refuges and workers in the anti-violence against women sector are becoming increasingly concerned about the use of technology by domestic violence abusers to discover refuges.
[Trigger Warning: Stalking]
Access to law researcher, Liz Curran, has expressed dismay at the government’s decision to cut funding for community legal centres.
Linda Burney, the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the NSW Parliament, has spoken about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. [Trigger Warning: Descriptions of domestic violence]
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has announced the establishment of its Practitioner Engagement Group (PEG). Find out who is in the PEG here!

Around the World

In the US, new laws to address sexual assault on campus under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 went into effect on July 1 2015.
In Egypt, the director general of the Arab Women Organisation, Mervat Tallawy, has signed an agreement with the United Nations to strengthen efforts to uphold women’s rights to safety and freedom from violence in the Arab region.
Again in Egypt, a local organisation called Harrassmap has started a new television campaign, encouraging viewers to report sexual harassment in public spaces through social media or by texting a hotline.
In Afghanistan, DNA evidence has been used to convict a father for sexually assaulting his daughter in a landmark case. [Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault]
In The Gambia, the Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) and Action Aid International The Gambia held a day long sensitisation program to inform women with disabilities of their rights, and to raise awareness about steps to follow when these rights are violated.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution to end child, early and forced marriage.

Get Involved!

If you are a young woman aged 16 – 21, join the conversation on young women and sex education by completing this survey designed by the Equality Rights’ Alliance.
Women’s Legal Services NSW are holding a free webinar on Centrelink and domestic violence on July 7, from 2-3pm. Register here!
The Women’s Legal Service Victoria is holding an interactive workshop on July 14 to improve workers’ knowledge of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act (VOCAT). Register here by July 7!
YWCA Queensland is calling for applications for its inaugural Leadership Internship. Applications close on 31 July 2015.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is currently recruiting a Research Manager and a Conference Coordinator for its Inaugural National Research Conference. More information on the positions can be found here!
The Centre for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University has announced the theme for its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign. This year, the theme is ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All!’
Anti-Poverty Week will take place from 11-17 October 2015.Click here for more information on how to get involved!

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

Senate votes against a measure to increase court fees for divorce cases and more* Weekly Round-Up 26 June

Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week, the number of women who have lost their lives to violence has increased to 47. This highlights the urgent need for action to address ever increasing levels of violence against women. AWAVA is pleased that further steps are being taken to ensure women’s right to safety and security is upheld. This week the Senator Michaelia Cash, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women and Robert French AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, opened the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity’s first national roundtable. The roundtable will help establish a framework for judges and legal practitioners to deal with matters in a culturally sensitive manner, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds feel safe in their dealings with the justice system. We are looking forward to further developments in this space!

Around the country

In Victoria, a recent study by the Domestic Violence Resource Centre has found that almost 98 per cent of domestic violence victims also experience cyber stalking and other forms of technology based abuse.
Also in Victoria, the Federation of Community Legal Services has raised concerns about Victoria’s domestic violence response in a submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
In Queensland, researchers are to begin a study into women-only police stations, inspired by similar institutions in South America.
In Western Australia, the state’s specialised domestic violence court system is being replaced by the Victorian mode. Under the new mode perpetrators will no longer be able to choose whether they are dealt with in specialised courts, and hence will not be able avoid sentencing in return for treatment.
The Senate has voted against a measure that would see court fees for divorce applications increase from July 1.
The Women’s Legal Service Queensland has developed a free smartphone app called Re-focus for women who are separated or thinking of separation in Australia.
Fiona McCormack, CEO of Domestic Violence Victoria, has discussed the nature and extent of domestic violence and what needs to be done to achieve a just society in this speech.
Dr Fitz-Gibbon, an emerging expert in international law, has received a research grant to explore innovating legal responses to lethal domestic violence.

Around the World

In the Pacific, UN Women has announced the launch of a new tool kit for organisations in the anti-violence against women sector.
In Ireland, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has strongly recommended that the government strengthen its response to protect victims of domestic violence.
In Latin America, a social media campaign featuring the hashtag #NiUnaMenos (not one less) has attracted attention to issues surrounding violence against women in the region.
In India, seven special police units will be set up in the state of Odisha to address crimes against women.
The UN has recognised 19 June as the International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Get involved!

We’re Hiring! AWAVA is looking for a new Program Manager to lead our Canberra Secretariat. Applications are due on 10 July.
Attend theAustralia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety’s upcoming webinar on engaging with practitioners and maintaining partnerships in the sector, to be held on July 2 at 1pm AEST.
The Women’s Legal Service Victoria is holding an interactive workshop on July 14 to improve workers’ knowledge of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act (VOCAT). Register here by July 7!
The Women’s Legal Service Victoria is also hosting a lecture series titled ‘Walking the Walk: Next Steps Against Family Violence’ on July 2. Register here!
Australian’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety is recruiting! ANROWS is looking for a Conference Coordinator to oversee the facilitation of their National Research Conference in February 2016.
If you are a young woman aged 16 – 21, join the conversation on young women and sex education by completing this survey designed by the Equality Rights’ Alliance.
YWCA Queensland is calling for applications for its inaugural Leadership Internship. Applications close on 31 July 2015.