Violence Against Women Bulletin - March 2001
Information Bulletin - March 2001: Volume 5, Issue 1
Act, Don't Just Think
Campaign wants men to do more than think violence against women is wrong
Sledging, striking, marking and tackling are common terms on the sporting field. The new campaign to discourage violence against women picks up these terms and turns them around to show that when used against women, they are abuse, harassment and assault.
The state-wide campaign, Violence Against Women - It’s Against All the Rules enlists the help of four sporting icons.These sportsmen are a way of reaching the target audience, 21 to 29 year olds. The aim is prevention, and the means of prevention is raising the awareness of the peers of men likely to commit violent acts.
At the launch on December 6 last year, the NSW Attorney General, Mr Bob Debus, said 2.6 million Australian women (38%) have experienced one or more incidents of violence since the age of 15, according to the 1996 Australian Bureau of Statistics Women’s Safety Australia Report.
"Clearly", Mr Debus said, "these levels of violence against women are unacceptable".Against All the Rules is part of the wider NSW Government strategy that seeks to address and prevent violence against women.
The campaign aims to prompt men to discuss violence against women and their role in reducing the shocking statistics. Campaign spokesperson Mr Tony Squires said: "The first step is educating men about the different forms of violence and getting them to talk about it."
Mr Squires, a Sydney Morning Herald columnist and presenter of ABC TV’s "The Fat", said most people think that violence is hitting a woman, but it is broader than that, "It includes psychological abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault as well as physical assault," he said at the launch.
"Women aren’t the only ones affected. It affects the whole community. Non-violent men have mothers, sisters, daughters and friends and we want them to be safe. It’s no use turning a blind eye to the problem," Mr Squires said.
"But this campaign is not all about blaming men – it’s about finding those non-violent, caring types, the all-round good blokes – like me!” Mr Squires said. “We can help to stop the violence".
He said he realised when he was approached to be part of the campaign that it wasn’t enough to think he opposed violence against women; he had speak out publicly against violence and urge other non-violent men to speak out too.
The campaign is being promoted in sporting clubs and associations, educational institutions, community and youth centres across NSW.
The campaign includes:
- advertising on buses in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong
- the four posters (featured on page 1) available for use in clubs, pubs and community centres
- community service announcements for radio stations
- information booklets for sports clubs, businesses and organisations that wish to support the campaign locally
- Other materials with the tag line "Violence Against Women – It’s Against All the Rules" are being developed. Including coasters, stickers and bookmarks and a leaflet for men who would like to know how they can support the campaign and its goals.
Become Involved !
Activities being run around NSW are an important part of the educational aspect of the campaign. Many clubs, groups & universities are supporting the campaign in their own ways, developing materials and running activities. Contact your regional violence prevention specialist (phone numbers on page 4) for information on activities & how to become involved in your region.
"It's no use turning a blind eye to the problem" Tony Squires, campaign spokesperson
AFL gets behind Local Campaigns
Regions take the campaign to pubs, clubs and carnivals - AFL gets behind local campaign in Wagga
Wagga Wagga has put the “Violence Against Women - It’s Against All the Rules” campaign into action with a distinctive local flavour.
Local workers adapted the slogan to fit their community, and made their own poster with local sportsmen. They went to the football clubs with the campaign booklet. It addresses questions such as “What is ‘violence against women’?”; “Why have a statewide campaign?”; and, “Why should your club be involved?”
The clubs were keen to get involved and at the suggestion of the local campaign committee nominated local sporting heroes to act as role models and spokesmen for the campaign. Turvey Park AFL team nominated Darren Wallett, and Wagga Wagga Tigers nominated Steven Shultz. Both men were enthusiastic and soon learned more about the issues.
The group designed its own poster with a picture of Wallett and Shultz, and its campaign featured the local slogan: Violence Against Women is Not Our Game.The AFL Carnival, held in Wagga Wagga in July 2000, brought footballer’s from all over the state to Wagga Wagga.
Campaign organisers, with the support of the AFL Commission Southern Branch, seized the opportunity to launch the local campaign at the AFL Carnival in July. It was a great success.
Darren and Steven talked about the positive impact of their campaign and the conversations they have had with young people about the issues of violence against women because of the poster, when they were guest speakers at the statewide campaign launch in Sydney, last December.
Real-life impacts of the campaign:
A young man informed by the campaign helped his friend get an Apprehended Violence Order to protect her from her violent ex-partner.
A young woman who saw the campaign poster “Mark a woman watch her every move - that’s stalking” recognised the behaviour of her ex-partner as stalking and sought advice and help from her local Regional Violence Prevention Specialist.
Hunter campaign: basketball, NRL & surfing
The Hunter campaign uses three local sportsmen to provide a local flavour. Basketballer Butch Hays, when asked why he was involved, said: "I thought it was very important that we stop this cycle and we inform people of the problem of violence against women."
Ashley Gordon – or Ash the Flash, as he was known when he played for the Newcastle Knights – said: "People out there in the community need to know it is happening and it is time to start making a change, and start educating people, especially the men."
Mark Richards, four times world champion surfer, featured on the regional poster in an action shot as he said it would capture the attention of the target audience more than a photo of his face. The Hunter news media has eagerly picked up on the campaign. Posters of the three sportsmen are available to organisations from the Hunter regional specialist.Below poster featuring Mark Richards and his trademark “seagull” manoeuvre
Partnerships and Programs
EnAct - New reporting
Section 23D of the new Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 commenced in December 2000. This section states that where a child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm arising from domestic violence, a report can be made to DoCS.
Many more service providers are now required to make a report to DoCS about children who are at serious risk. Service providers can make reports by phoning the DoCS Helpline on the mandated reporters number: 133 627.
The DoCS Helpline phone number for general public use is: 132 111.For more information about the new Act, phone the Service 2000/ Enact telephone assistance line on: 1300 362 280. Resource order forms for materials to assist mandated reporters call DoCS: 9716 2255.
What's on, What's new
DFW relocates
The NSW Department for Women has moved to new offices. The new address is Level 4, Stockland House, 175-183 Castle-reagh St, Sydney, 2001. Phone: 9287 1860.
Local Committee Funding
The Violence Against Women Specialist Unit will soon be inviting applications for funding for the Local Domestic Violence Committee Grants Program.Committees across NSW used last year’s funding for a range of community education activities and resources including billboards, information pamphlets and local services cards.
From April 2001 the VAW website will feature grants information and an application form: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au. For more information, phone the Office Manager at the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit on (02) 9228 7899.
New Resources
The “Strength, adaptability there’s more to me than my disability” poster was designed by women with disabilities who live in Macquarie Fields. It was a project of the South Western Sydney Regional Violence Prevention Specialist in 2000. The project and poster aim to educate the general community and create awareness about the feelings and abilities of people with disabilities. The poster was launched by the women who designed it in Camden on October 12 as part of a disabilities Expo celebrating the Paralympic Torch visit. The posters have been widely distributed to high schools and public spaces, such as council chambers and libraries. For copies of the poster please phone Lillian Gomez, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist on 9287 1860. Left: Poster to promote the strength and adaptability of women with disabilities.
New Manager for the VAW Unit - Gaby Marcus
Gaby Marcus took up the position of Manager of the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit in December. Before her appointment she managed the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program at the Legal Aid Commission for four and a half years.
Gaby’s career has also included work on domestic violence and sexual assault services, both as a public servant and in community-based organisations. She has a masters degree in women’s studies. “I am excited to have the opportunity of joining such a key component of the Government’s initiatives on violence against women,” Gaby said. “I hope to be able to consolidate and strengthen what this exciting and innovative strategy has already achieved.”
New Project Officer - Jacquie Cheetham
Jacquie returned from post-war Kosovo – where she was a gender and development specialist with the UN – just in time to become the new Project Officer at the VAW unit and get straight into finalising the statewide campaign launch in November. Before this Jacquie worked for two and a half years in the Dominican Republic on community development projects with older women. She also worked as a social worker with children and young people for two years in London, UK. Before going overseas, Jacquie worked in the Cabramatta and Fairfield (NSW) area as a community development worker.
Thanks and Farewells
Acting Manager, Chris Shipway
Thanks to Chris for carrying through the strategy in its transition between managers. Chris’s dedication to the work and his wealth of wisdom were much appreciated by the specialists and Unit staff. Many thanks to Chris for his valuable contribution.
Officer Manager, Wendy Ryder
Wendy has taken up an initial six-month appointment in the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Wendy, a mainstay of the VAW Specialist Unit for two years, will be sorely missed particularly for her efficiency, patience and sense of humour. All of us in the Strategy wish her well in her new post.
Director of Crime Prevention Division, Peter Homel will be seconded to the Home Office in the UK for a year from 16 March 2001. We wish Peter well in his secondment.
Letter to the Editor:
Central Coast DV Committee thanks the specialist and the VAW strategy
The Central Coast Regional DV committee wrote to thank the Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for her support. They particularly highlighted the success of the interagency networking model that the specialist introduced to their region.
Award for Albury
The Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards 2000 Business and Community Partnerships Award was presented to City of Wodonga for the Safer Times ’Round Albury Wadonga for Women (STRAW).
STRAW was nominated as an innovative strategy for women’s safety in public places in Albury/Wadonga due to its cross-border approach and the inclusion of non-traditional players, eg, licensed premises.
The program includes a manual and annual awards for licensed premises, safety audits and a violence prevention strategy that aims to reduce violence against women and enhance awareness of women’s public safety.
TAKING CARE OF ME
A training manual on violence prevention for use with women with intellectual disabilities by Isla Bowen & Mary Watson.
This manual is targeted primarily to women living independently in the community. It focuses on the identification of violence and fosters strategies to deal with or overcome violent situations. Comprehensive training notes and training materials are included.
Manuals for sale $44 + postage from the Illawarra Disability Trust, P.O Box 1981, South Coast MC 2521 Ph 02 42284500 Email: info@illawarradisabilitytrust.com.au
New DoCS Domestic Violence Forum
DoCS has decided to convene a broad-based domestic violence forum, to meet 3 times per year. The forum will provide agencies working in the domestic violence field with an opportunity to meet regularly and discuss emerging needs, issues and trends and to inform DoCS policies and operational guidelines.
The forum will also have a consultative role where policy initiatives can be presented to the community sector for comment, and will be an avenue where issues identified in the community sector can be fed into the State Management Group of the VAW strategy, through the DoCS representative.
The first meeting of the forum will be held in May. For more information contact Lisa Castanelli on 02 9716 2121.
"Stories Over the Back Fence" tour March 12 - 16. 2001
The "Stories Over the Back Fence" tour in 5 towns of the New England region performed by the Older Women's Network Theatre Group. The performances look at "social issues encountered by women in a fun and creative way" and will address issues such as the negative image of older women, the closure of services, privatisation, GST, relationship and domestic violence concerns. A variety of other speakers will also discuss social issues and health concerns for older women. The working party includes the Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Health, HACC and the CWA. It has been very productive and enthusiastic team and a great example of interagency collaboration.
Conferences and Events
March 8 International Women’s Day
March 29-30 QLD Government Health Conference - DV Initiative
April 18 10-2pm Information/Open/Family Day & Launch for the for the local Aboriginal community of "Violence Against Women: It’s Against All the Rules" Campaign at: Mt Druitt PCYC 453 Luxford Rd Shalvey 2770. Activities, Stalls & BBQ. Prizes with be awarded on the day for the local Flier Competition. For more info contact: Rugmini on 9633 0717
April Funding for local domestic violence committee grants 2001-2002 begin.
April Youth Week - For information on regional activities call the Regional Specialist (numbers below).
April 9-11 Rekindling family relationships - A national forum on indigenous family violence in Adelaide. Organised by Partnerships Against Domestic Violence (PADV) Participation is by invitation only. Contact Vivienne Evans on: (02) 6271 5727.
April 27 Stop Domestic Violence Day
May DoCS Domestic Violence Advisory Forum (see below)
Regional Violence Prevention Specialists Contact List
| Regional Specialist | Area Health Region | Phone |
| Kirsten Busby | Mid North Coast | (02) 6588 2913 |
| Joan Dickson | Far West | (02) 6872 1795 |
| Robyn Edwards | South Eastern Sydney | (02) 9382 8145 |
| Gargi Ganguly | Macquarie | (02) 6841 2346 |
| Lilian Gomez | South Western Sydney | (02) 9821 8527 |
| Cathy Hastings | New England | (02) 6768 2814 |
| Jenny Huxley | Northern Sydney | (02) 9976 8020 |
| Anoop Johar | Wentworth | (02) 4732 1322 |
| Helen Kay | Mid Western | (02) 6361 6925 |
| Tashe Long | Southern | (02) 6298 9966 |
| Karen MacLean | Greater Murray | (02) 6058 1850 |
| Rebecca Matthew | Illawarra | (02) 4254 0302 |
| Jillian Meyers-Brittain | Hunter | (02) 4929 0921 |
| Matina Mottee | Central Sydney | (02) 9715 0448 |
| Chris Smith | Central Coast | (02) 4320 2575 |
| Rugmini Venkatraman | Western Sydney | (02) 9633 0717 |
| Mary Willis | Northern Rivers | (02) 6620 2132 |
The Violence Against Women Specialist Unit is based in the Crime Prevention Division of the NSW Attorney General’s Department. It is one of the central elements in the NSW Strategy To Reduce Violence Against Women.
This bulletin is for anyone interested in the prevention of violence against women and is intended to inform people about the NSW Strategy To Reduce Violence Against Women and its implementation. For more information about the Bulletin contact the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit.
ISSN 1328-437
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