Violence Against Women Bulletin - March 1999
Information Bulletin - March 1999: Volume 3, Issue 1
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News from the NSW Council on Violence Against Women
The Council is planning work for the period of July 1999 - June 2000. To inform the planning process, a forum with Regional Violence Prevention Specialists was held in March. The Council presented an overview of their work and each Regional Violence Prevention Specialist showcased some of the work and issues from their region. Ongoing issues of prevention of violence against women were discussed.
Statewide Community Education Campaign
In January 1999 the Attorney General and the Minister for Women approved Council plans for a statewide campaign aimed at reducing violence against women. The campaign will feature:
- print resources;
- an innovative media strategy; and
- underpinning regional activities and projects.
Aimed at men aged 21-29 years the campaign will endeavour to increase the unacceptability of violence against women in the community.
The campaign is designed to:
- Generate discussion and raise understanding of violence against women issues in the community;
- Increase knowledge of types of behaviours that constitute violence against women and the consequences of those behaviours;
- Increase community interest in and support of programs to prevent violence against women; and
- Increase awareness in males of their role in the reduction/prevention of violence against women.
Sport will be used as a medium to promote the message.
While the Council will develop campaign resources for distribution across the state, a defining feature of the campaign will be the underpinning projects implemented at a regional level. Regional Violence Prevention Specialists and Regional Reference Groups will feature supporting projects in Regional Action Plans for 1999/2000.
News from the Unit
Farewell to Claire Vernon
Claire Vernon, Executive Officer with the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit has been appointed as Director, Victims’ Services in the Attorney General’s Department. Claire was responsible for the establishment of the Unit and the implementation the Strategy to date. Claire’s leadership and commitment to the Strategy will be missed. We congratulate Claire on her appointment and wish her all the best in her new role.
Update from Partnerships Against Domestic Violence
The Strategy is involved in the Commonwealth initiative Partnerships Against Domestic Violence through representation on the Commonwealth, States and Territories Taskforce.
Partnerships Against Domestic Violence is a three year initiative between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories to work together towards the common goal of preventing domestic violence across Australia. Partnerships is underpinned by $25.3 million from the Commonwealth to June 2000.
National projects are undertaken in partnership with the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
One national projects identified by the Taskforce is developing national competency standards for workers in contact with people who experience domestic violence.
National Endorsed Competency Standards
What are Competency Standards?
Competency standards describe the skills, knowledge and personal attributes needed for an area of work. They describe the work and also the standard that is expected.
Competency standards provide the benchmarks for training, assessment and skill recognition. Domestic violence competency standards will provide a national benchmark for a range of workers who work with people who have experienced domestic violence.
There will be four stages to the project:
- research to scope the parameters;
- development of the competency standards;
- a strategy to implement the endorsed standards nationally; and
- development of materials to assist workers.
For more information about the National Endorsed Competency Standards Project contact Margaret Russell ph: 02 6271 5740 and email: margaret.russell@pmc.gov.au
Information about Partnerships can be found at http://www.dpmc@gov.au/osw/Homewarw.htm
What’s On, What’s New
Name Change for National Campaign Against Violence and Crime (NCAVAC)
NCAVAC have changed their name to National Crime Prevention. National Crime Prevention (NCP) finds and promotes ways of preventing violence, crime and fear of crime in Australian communities.
In the December 1998 the contact number for National Crime Prevention (ex NCAVAC) was inaccurately reported. The correct contact number is (02) 6250 6711. The Bulletin apologises for any inconvenience to readers and NCP.
Latest Research
NCP have published two new reports of direct relevance to preventing violence against women:
- Ending Domestic Violence? Programs for Perpetrators; and
- Pathways to Prevention - Early Intervention.
Ending Domestic Violence? Programs for Perpetrators
Little is known in Australia about the extent and effectiveness of counselling and anti violence programs for the perpetrators of domestic violence. This lack of knowledge was raised at the national Domestic Violence Forum in 1996 as an issue of concern.
As a result, a research project was initiated by the Commonwealth Government’s National Campaign Against Violence and Crime which reviewed all Australian and overseas literature about domestic violence perpetrator programs and closely analysed programs throughout Australia.
The report focuses on men as perpetrators since most studies of family violence in Australia show that female partners or ex partners are at much more risk of spousal violence than males.
Key recommendations of the report include:
- The safety of women and children must be the priority of service providers involved in working with perpetrators of domestic violence;
- Perpetrator programs need to meet minimum standards which apply across all relevant jurisdictions and departments;
- Programs which meet minimum standards should be adequately resourced;
- Programs for perpetrators should be developed and provided through the criminal justice system, with a strong emphasis on mandatory participation, and integrated with community based responses to domestic violence;
- Where this is not possible to achieve, there should at least be incentives provided, through service delivery agreements, for the development of more collaborative responses to domestic violence at a regional level;
- Perpetrator programs should not be allowed to develop in isolation from other community responses to domestic violence; and
- There needs to be a national forum to look at models of service delivery that take into account Australia’s health, welfare and legal systems.
Pathways to Prevention–Early Intervention
Background
Much scientifically persuasive international evidence has emerged over recent years that interventions early in life can have long term impacts on crime and other social problems. Overseas research also indicates the cost effectiveness of early intervention strategies when compared to the long term costs of crime and the criminal justice response. Little was known about Australian early intervention programs, their impact, and whether they had crime prevention as a specific objective. Therefore, the Commonwealth Government commissioned this report.
Key Findings
The likelihood of an individual becoming involved in criminal activity and or substance abuse is influenced by the existence of risk and protective factors in their family, school and community environments. Risk factors include family violence and disharmony, poor supervision and monitoring of children, and social or cultural discrimination. Protective factors include social skills, a sense of belonging and a positive school environment.
- These factors can operate cumulatively. Child abuse and neglect are of particular significance. Existing programs do not adequately address key risk factors occurring prenatally and perinatally (during birth).
- Very few early intervention programs and services explicitly have crime prevention as an objective. Better health, improved education and better employment opportunities have been their primary focus. Interventions, such as home visiting, family support and parenting education, can have a major impact on at risk families and children to improve quality of life and prevent future offending.
- Each of us passes key milestones on the path from birth to maturity–infancy, the preschool years, the transition from primary to high school and the transition from high school to higher education or the workforce. Early in life interventions such as around birth or in the preschool years are identified as being particularly important, but so too are interventions at other crucial transition points in life.
- Problems arising during these critical periods are often neglected. Coordination of programs and service delivery needs improvement, and more attention needs to be paid to evaluation.
This report provides a framework to guide organisations in developing, implementing and managing intervention programs so that crime prevention objectives are recognised and maximised. In some instances, crime prevention will become a new objective of early intervention programs. In others, more emphasis will need to be placed on the evaluation and effectiveness of a program's stated crime prevention objective.
Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council (AJAC)
AJAC was officially launched on 2 February 1999 by Deputy Premier Dr Andrew Refshauge, NSW Attorney General Jeff Shaw QC and Winsome Matthews, recently appointed as AJAC Chairperson.
Currently employed with the Indigenous Women’s Program, Women’s Legal Resource Centre, Ms Mathews is highly respected for her work in designing and facilitating courses and workshops aimed at increasing participants abilities to provide quality services to Aboriginal people.
Speaking at the launch, Winsome Matthews said “To fully address the problems Aboriginal people face in the criminal justice system, we must look beyond the system alone and creatively meet the challenge of dealing with the social and economic problems Aboriginal people face.” Ms Mathews believes that one of the greatest challenges will be to look at ways of merging elements of customary law with the current justice system.
“Through AJAC we will ensure that the Aboriginal community has a direct voice to the highest levels of the criminal justice system,” she said.
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommended the establishment of Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees in each state in order to build more effective partnerships between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities. NSW established it’s committee and held it’s first meeting in 1994.
The first committee was restructured in 1998 and renamed the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council (AJAC). Funded by ATSIC, the NSW Attorney General’s Department, the Department of Corrective Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the NSW Police Service, AJAC is now the main advisory body to the NSW Government on law and justice issues effecting Aboriginal people.
AJAC plays a key role in providing advice to the Attorney General on the relationships between members of Aboriginal communities and the justice system.
The Council comprises the Chairperson Winsome Matthews, representatives from each of the ATSIC regions and the Executive Officer from the AJAC unit. The Executive Unit, based in the Attorney General’s Department, is staffed by Marcia Ella-Duncan (Executive Officer), Brendan Thomas (Senior Policy Officer) and Gayle Kennedy (Policy Officer). The unit is in the process of setting up Regional Advisory Councils which will be chaired by each region’s Council representative. Regional councils will include four Aboriginal community members and senior regional managers from the police, courts, Juvenile Justice and Corrective Services.
The central council identifies issues, provides advice and develops proposals for changes to the justice system. The regional councils will work locally on criminal justice issues affecting Aboriginal people and promote cooperation between law and justice agencies and local Aboriginal communities.
If you would like more information on the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council you can contact Gayle Kennedy on (02) 9228 8107 or Brendan Thomas on (02) 9228 8106.
Best Practice Intervention for Children and Young People Who Witness Domestic Violence - Kids and DV Project
The Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care is researching and documenting best practice for professionals working with children and young people who witness domestic violence. The project is funded through the National Partnerships Against Domestic Violence and has national significance. This research will lead to the development of resources for workers providing such services.
The Kids and DV project has collated a huge amount of material from Australian and overseas services. The project has developed a website to provide information to a range of practitioners.
The website can be located at www.lgcms.com.au/kids&dv.htm or you can email project workers at kids&dv@lgcms.com.au
Domestic violence hurts more people than you think - Stop Domestic Violence Day 1999
April 26 marks National Stop Violence Against Women Day each year. In NSW, it is commemorated as Stop Domestic Violence Day. This year, the official launch of Stop Domestic Violence Day will be held on Tuesday 27 April from 10am at Parliament House in Sydney. The aim is to generate publicity for the issue of domestic violence and to acknowledge work in the area.
The launch is put together by an organising committee comprising representatives from community and government services. Involvement on the committee is open to any interested participants. The committee organises a launch for the day, produces and distributes promotional resources across the State and co-ordinates the awarding of certificates of recognition for excellence in work.
The launch of Stop Domestic Violence Day 1999 will include:
- a media launch of the theme for this year - domestic violence hurts more people than you think;
- the launch of the NSW Police Service anti-domestic violence public education campaign for 1999;
- the launch of the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme Support Workers Kit; and
- awarding of statements of recognition for excellence in the provision of services for those experiencing domestic violence.
This will be the fourth year of Stop Domestic Violence Day. This year, direct funding has been provided by the Department for Women and NSW Health while the Department of Community Services is funding a public relations worker to support the management of the event.
Other activities commemorating Stop Domestic Violence Day are organised by groups across the State. Look out for and support the events in your area.
For information about the launch of Stop Domestic Violence Day 1999 contact Caron Billings of the Department of Community Services Domestic Violence Line on (02) 9381 0401 or Tahn O’Brien of the Attorney General’s Department Violence Against Women Specialist Unit on (02) 9228 8439.
Regional Violence Prevention Specialists (RVPS) Contact List
| Regional Specialist | Area Health Region | Location | Phone |
| Punita Boardman | Northern Sydney | Manly | (02) 9976 8020 |
| Judy Duggan | Far West | Bourke | (02) 6872 1795 |
| Robyn Edwards | South Eastern Sydney | Zetland | (02) 9382 8145 |
| Di Furniss | Northern Rivers | Lismore | (02) 6620 2401 |
| Lilian Gomez | South Western Sydney | Liverpool | (02) 9821 8527 |
| Cathy Hastings | New England | Tamworth | (02) 6768 2814 |
| Denise Henry | Illawarra | Wollongong East | (02) 4254 0302 |
| Anoop Johar | Wentworth | Penrith | (02) 4732 1322 |
| Helen Kay | Mid Western | Orange | (02) 6361 6925 |
| Karen MacLean | Greater Murray | Albury | (02) 6058 1850 |
Jillian Meyers-
Brittain | Hunter | Newcastle | (02) 4929 0921 |
| Matina Mottee | Central Sydney | Burwood | (02) 9715 0448 |
| Liz Mulder | Macquarie | Coonabarabran | (02) 6842 6447 |
| Chris Smith | Central Coast | Gosford | (02) 4320 2575 |
Rugmini
Venkatraman | Western Sydney | Parramatta | (02) 9633 0717 |
| Mary Willis | Mid North Coast | Taree | (02) 6551 1507 |
| Tashe Long | Southern | Queanbeyan | (02) 6298 9966 |
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 initiatives 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
Click here to download the PDF version of the March 1999 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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