Violence Against Women Bulletin - March 2002
Information Bulletin - March 2002: Volume 6, Issue 1
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Evaluation of the 'Violence Against Women - It's Against All the Rules' Campaign
Men say campaign message is: ‘Violence against women is not on’
The evaluation of the NSW statewide campaign Violence Against Women: It’s Against All the Rules indicates that the campaign has achieved some positive results.
Eighty three percent (83%) of the respondents to the campaign evaluation reported that the message of the campaign was that violence against women is ‘not on’ and 59% of respondents could recall the campaign slogan.
Undertaken by independent evaluator Carol Hubert, from TAFE NSW, the evaluation, which commenced in August 2001, attempted to assess the effectiveness of the campaign strategies. The evaluation has asked almost 600 men questions about the campaign and its messages through focus groups and surveys.
The evaluation questions covered:
- penetration of the campaign message;
- provocativeness of the campaign message;
- understanding of the campaign message;
- strengthening attitudes against violence against women; and
- identification of violent behaviours.
Men said ‘use of sportsmen clever and effective’
Men responded that they thought the use of sportsmen was clever and effective in raising men’s interest and making the campaign memorable. Some said, however, that the message would do as well coming from other ‘ordinary blokes’. Ninety three precent (93%) of the sample reported following sports and 76% reported that they were actively involved in sport themselves.
The campaign materials were most widely recognised in the metropolitan areas, primarily through the posters which were placed on the backs of buses in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle between January and April 2001.
Respondents also reported knowing about or attending community events and hearing about the campaign through local TV and radio coverage.
The challenge is still to get men to talk in depth about violence against women
Many respondents (68%) said that men are open to messages about violence against women and that the campaign message was regarded as an effective reminder about the issue. However, 91% of the target group (21–29 year olds) reported the issue was not one they would talk about with their peers, irrespective of the campaign.
Focus group respondents generally agreed that they would challenge a friend about his behaviour directly if they thought it constituted violence, but the issue of violence against women would not be broached in general conversation and certainly not in a ‘touchy feely’ way.
Although many of the respondents said they were not yet comfortable talking about the issue in depth with their mates, the campaign has successfully encouraged men to become actively involved in the implementation of the campaign. Through their involvement some of the men have reported they are more knowledgeable and more confident about speaking about violence against women.
The campaign is continuing throughout NSW in 2002. For more information on regional campaign activities contact the Regional Violence Prevention Specialist in your region, see page four for contact details.
Reclaim the Night events across NSW
Nyngan High School students march against violence
Nyngan celebrated an historic event when students and local residents marched through the main street of Nyngan starting at 6 pm on 26th November. The marchers ‘reclaimed’ the streets at night and aimed to create awareness in the local community about issues of violence against women.
Girls and boys from the local high school led the march carrying a banner made for the march in a series of screen printing workshops at their school.
The marchers circled the town ending in the town park where the ceremony continued with a BBQ. Students also sang songs with their voices and in sign language about women’s rights and roles.
"I felt so strong being able to walk across in front of the RSL club" said one woman, "it is reassuring for the community to see young men and older men participate and support this march" said another marcher.
The march was organised by the Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Home Start, Nyngan Interagency, Nyngan Health Council. For more information contact Gargi Ganguly
Diners cheer on marchers in the Hunter
Novocastrians gathered in Islington Park at dusk on Friday the 26th of October 2001 to share their stories and their girl power, arming themselves with T-shirts, balloons and candles.
Marchers were cheered into the mall by a group of supportive men holding signs stating that they did not support violence against women. Reclaim The Nighters continued the celebrations with free food, bands and street performers until 10pm where everybody was invited to kick on to the music organised by four GIRL DJs.
The feel was that it just gets bigger and better every year.
For more information contact Jillian Meyers-Brittain, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, on behalf of the Newcastle RTN Collective.
Central Sydney Rally
The rally was held in the Sydney CBD as it has been for years, starting at Town Hall and continuing along George and Elizabeth streets to Hyde Park where an impressive number of stalls welcomed marchers to eat and relax. A band also encouraged participants to stay on and enjoy the warm summer evening.
Reclaim the Train
The city march was again this year supported by Reclaim the Train. Help cards were handed out to rail commuters at a number of stations across Sydney, and women from Western Sydney travelled in to the march together by rail, from Parramatta. CityRail Security guards joined the Regional Violence Prevention Specialists from metro Sydney at the end of the march in Hyde Park, and distributed materials on safe train travel to the city.
1000 women reclaim the streets in Bankstown’s first march
Bankstown celebrated their first Reclaim the Night march on Thursday October 25th.
An initiative of the "Prevention of Sexual Assault Working Party" the march represented the basic human right of women and children to live free from fear of violence and discrimination.
Aboriginal community members led 1000 women and children from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds on a peaceful march through the streets of Bankstown to Paul Keating Park. Men also participated in the event by lining the streets in support of women.
Residents stood in front of their homes and applauded as the marchers passed carrying candles of hope throughout the streets of Bankstown.
Free entertainment, information stalls and speeches were held at the end of the march at Paul Keating Park. For more details contact Regional Specialist, Lilian Gomez on 9821 8527.
News from the VAW Strategy partners
NSW Housing becomes a member of the Strategy and helps to fund a new worker in Broken Hill
The NSW Department of Housing has joined the NSW Attorney General’s Department, Department of Community Services, NSW Police, the Department of Health, and Department for Women as a member of the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women.
Key government service delivery departments were invited to become members of the Strategy in 1997. The partnerships and financing of the Strategy by principal agencies recognises that no one department is solely responsible for the prevention of violence against women.
The Department of Housing will contribute to a new Regional Violence Prevention Specialist position in the Far West region. The position will be based in Broken Hill and advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald early in 2002.
Department for Women : Women’s Grants Program
The NSW Women’s Grants Program is an annual program that provides funds to non-government organisations to conduct innovative projects that benefit women. The successful applicants from the 2001 program were announced in October.
Fourteen grants were funded under the current round, including three that target violence against women:
· Mirrung Ngu Wanjarri, associated with the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, will produce a video on defended hearings in Apprehended Violence Order applications, designed to be culturally appropriate for Aboriginal women.
· The AIDS Council of NSW will conduct locally developed and appropriate community awareness campaigns in Lismore and Wollongong around partner violence in lesbian relationships.
· The Australian Sikh Association will conduct a multifaceted campaign to reduce domestic violence in the Sikh community, including the implementation of intervention and prevention measures, establish a Sikh women’s network and support group, develop culturally appropriate resources and provide appropriate counselling services for women.
The next round of the Women’s Grants Program is due to be advertised in May 2002.
What's on, What's new
Gudu-wondjer safe house wins award and opens it’s doors
Gudu -wondjer, which means 'sea women' in the local Aboriginal language, is the name of a new safe house for Aboriginal women in Eden which opened in January 2002. The Gudu -wondjer Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with the Gudu -wondjer Women's Group in Eden were recognised for their many years of tireless work when they were awarded an Australian Violence Prevention Award for developing the safe house.
The Gudu -wondjer steering committee, formed in 1999 after local residents and workers identified the need for a safe house for local women, were successful in attracting funding from several government departments and opened the safe house in January 2002.
Gwabegar torrents can’t stop the information
Despite torrential rain which rendered Gwabegar, a small isolated town of about 300 people situated in the Pilliga Forest, New England region of NSW, almost inaccessible, an information day and sausage sizzle were held on November 27th.
Access roads to Gwabegar are unsealed and impassable after even small amounts of rain. The day before the information day torrential rain fell in the area, yet Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Cathy Hastings, and Lizzie Mulder, Project Manager Drugs and Community Action Strategy hitched a ride with the local police officer from Baradine in his four-wheel drive.
Although most of the presenters were absent, Gwabegar community team leaders and 20 people of all ages gathered at the church hall to engage in dynamic discussions about violence against women, drugs and parenting.
The day, and particularly the sausage sizzle, was a resounding success and arrangements were made to organise another day in 2002 after the hot summer months and before the rains start again.
Homeless Women Speakout Against Violence
A ‘Speakout’ for homeless women was held in October 2001. Homeless women from around the South Eastern Sydney Region were encouraged to discuss the question "What does SAFE mean to you?". "Safe—I hope I know how that feels one day." said one of the women, "Not having to be on constant alert 24/7." said another.
This year was the third annual homeless women’s Speakout in South Eastern Sydney, held in the YWCA’s café, as part of the Y’s Week Without Violence. The event displayed over 50 pieces of artwork produced by local homeless women as part of an art project and competition.
Together, the artworks provide a highly original statement about the need to end violence and create safe cities for all of us, including women who are homeless, and about the need for worldwide unity and peace.
Entries asked us to "live life with a twist, not by the fist", and to "knock violence on the head and help homeless women instead." Rosemarie Riley’s winning entry, "Women Against Violence", is being reproduced on coffee mugs for distribution among women who use the various inner city hostels and emergency services.
The artwork was showcased at Sydney’s international conference, Expanding Our Horizons in February 2002.
The Speakout began and finished with a welcome to country and music, from the well known Aboriginal performer Betty Little.
All women who attended the event left with a small but powerful torch, thanks to a grant from the City of Sydney Council. The event also had other entertainment including poetry readings by Katie Sinclair.
Together as One by Katie Sinclair
Walking this busy street
You would never realise
this is a street that’s
claimed many lives
not only fathers and brothers
but sisters
and wives
A street that’s broken
many a heart
And torn many lives
apart
How I wish there was
Something I could do
Impossible on my own
but possible with the help of you
So all my sisters
come together as one
This violence must stop
with your help
it can be done. |
Strategy staff changes
Welcome to Sharmaine, Dianne and Carina
Sharmaine Hayes has recently joined the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit as the Aboriginal Project Officer.
Sharmaine has been involved with domestic violence issues in the ATSI community since 1996. Her background in media enabled her to produce and direct a 30 minute educational video named "No More Nightmares" which focuses on the need for domestic violence prevention and education in ATSI communities.
Sharmaine’s work will focus on improving service accessibility for Aboriginal women living in rural areas.
"I believe my experience, professionalism and commitment to improving services for Aboriginal women who are escaping domestic violence can only enhance the work already being undertaken by the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit." said Sharmaine.
Dianne Trani joined the VAW Unit in the position of part time administrative assistant. Dianne brings to her position considerable experience in customer relations, particularly with Telstra and NSW Ambulance Service. Dianne’s work will assist with the substantial organisational and executive support roles the Unit provides for the smooth running of the Strategy.
Carina Hickling joins the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women as the new Regional Violence Prevention Specialist in the Illawarra region. Carina’s previous position was Team Leader for FPA Health, where she worked on disability, sexuality and human rights issues.
Prior to this Carina worked in Malaysia for several years for the Swedish International Development Authority documenting sexuality information projects aimed at young people being undertaken in the region.
Farewell and thanks to Rebecca Matthew
Thanks to Rebecca Matthew for her contribution to the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women. Due to Rebecca's initiative during her time with the Strategy student representatives from schools in the Illawarra region are actively involved in planning strategies to take the messages of the Violence Against Women: It’s Against All the Rules campaign in the Illawarra. Best wishes to Rebecca with her future endeavours.
Conferences and events
26 April Stop Domestic Violence Day. Contact your Regional Violence Prevention Specialist (numbers on page 4) for details of events in your area.
30 - 31 May Victims of Crime Conference 2002: Resilient Workers supporting resilient survivors, Brisbane For more information see the Victims of Crime website www.vocaq.asn.au
30-31 May Northern Sydney Fractured Fairytales conference. For more information contact Jenny Huxley on 9976 8020
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 |
| Liz McRaild | 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 Woman Specialist Unit and regional violence prevention specialists are central elements in the NSW Strategy To Reduce Violence Against Women which is a whole of government strategy funded by: The NSW Attorney General’s Department, NSW Department of Community Services, NSW Health, NSW Police and in partnership with the Department for 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
Click here to download PDF version of the March 2002 Bulletin>>
| To view a PDF document, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat on your computer. If you do not have a copy of Adobe Acrobat, you can download a copy for free from the Adobe site. |
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