Violence Against Women Bulletin - March 2000
Information Bulletin - March 2000: Volume 4, Issue 1
News from the NSW Council on Violence Against Women
Position paper on Perpetrator Programs available
The NSW Council Position Paper on Programs for Perpetrators of Domestic Violence has been published.
Copies of the paper have been distributed widely. If you would like a copy of the paper contact Wendy Ryder on (02) 9228 7899 or wendy_ryder@agd.nsw.gov.au
Meeting with the Ministers
The Council met with the Attorney General and the Minister for Women on 2 March 2000. Issues discussed at the meeting included:
- rural issues;
- programs for perpetrators;
- the impact of cuts to family legal aid on women;
- implications of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998; and
- the impact of the Year of the Older Person on programs across the State.
What's On, What’s New
Working with the gay, lesbian and transgender communities in NSW
The Crime Prevention Division in the Attorney General’s Department has appointed a policy officer, Ms Jackie Braw, to work on gay, lesbian and transgender issues.
Ms Braw is working with community organisations and government agencies to help reduce the level and impact of homophobic violence and to facilitate service improvement to lesbian, gay and transgender people.
For further information contact the Policy Officer (Gay and Lesbian Liaison) on (02) 9228 7494 or jackie_braw@agd.nsw.gov.au
New report from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR): Predicting Women’s Responses to Violence: The 1996 Women’s Safety Survey
Only 1 in 100 Australian-born women who are sexually assaulted by their current partner without being injured report the offence to police.
Less than 10 per cent of women who are sexually assaulted by their current partner without being injured seek any kind of professional advice or support in relation to the assault.
These disturbing findings have emerged from the first-ever national analysis of the willingness of female victims of sexual or physical assault to report violence to police and to use the services available for victims of violence.
The analysis was carried out by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, using data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in its 1996 National Women's Safety Survey.
Not surprisingly, the willingness to report physical or sexual assault, or to use victim services in relation to the assault, increased significantly if the victim was injured or the offender was someone other than the victim's current partner.
Surprisingly, however, Australian-born women are much less likely to report physical or sexual assault than are overseas-born women.
Also surprising was the finding that young (18 to 24 year old) women are less likely to report physical assault and to use professional help services than are older women.
This finding is particularly disturbing given that younger women are more likely to be victims of violence than are older women.
The results do not provide much support for the widespread view that willingness to report violence to police is more common among more affluent or better educated female victims of violence.
The willingness to report a sexual assault to police was not related to the victim's educational attainment, to their employment status or to whether their main source of income was a government benefit.
Only one of these factors, not being employed, increased the likelihood that a victim of physical assault would report the offence to police.
Commenting on the findings, the Director of the Bureau, Mr Don Weatherburn, said that further research would be needed to understand why certain women were reluctant to report violence to police or use victim services.
“It could be because some women still fail to see violence inflicted by their partners as criminal or because the criminal justice system does not offer the remedy they need”, he said.
“Women may not be adequately informed about the assistance currently available through the existing services for victims of violence or they may feel that their needs cannot be met through existing services.”
Copies of the report can be obtained from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on (02) 9231 9190 or www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
DVlink - a new online domestic violence resource centre.
DVlink, new online resource centre for professionals working in the domestic violence sector, has gone live.
The site is the product of a collaborative effort between Local Courts, the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program (WDVCAP) and the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit.
Features include:
- a news section
- client service brochures
- reports and papers
- domestic violence statistics
- links to referral services
- training and career opportunities
- related organisations
- a guide to regional services
Check out DVlink at: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/dvlink. For more information call Katherine McKernan at WDVCAP on (02) 9219 5943 or Julie Harrison in Local Courts on (02) 9287 7424.
Changes to AVO Legislation
The Government has unveiled a package of reforms aimed at guaranteeing the continued effectiveness of the State’s Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) system.
NSW Attorney General, Jeff Shaw QC MLC said the Government’s reforms would deliver improved protection for women against domestic violence and introduce new safeguards against vexatious AVO claims in non domestic matters.
The package was developed following public input into the Government’s discussion paper canvassing options to review the AVO system.
Key reforms include:
- A new legislative distinction between Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs – involving persons in a domestic relationship) and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs – all other matters);
- New powers for authorised justices to refuse to issue APVO matters where the complaint is frivolous, vexatious, without substance or has no reasonable prospect of success;
- Requiring authorised justices to take into account specific criteria when deciding whether to refuse an APVO application including the consideration of mediation and other forms of dispute resolution;
- Expanding the Court’s power to make cost orders in APVO matters where the court considers it is just and reasonable;
- Better enforcement of AVO breaches. Police officers will be required to make a written record of any reason for not issuing a summons or charging an alleged offender;
- New powers for Courts to vary an AVO on a plea or a finding of guilt in relation to a domestic violence offence or a stalking/intimidation offence;
- Upgrading Telephone Interim Orders (TIO) (issued by an authorised Justice following an application from the police) to ensure they provide appropriate urgent protection for people living in rural and regional NSW;
- New penalties to guard against the publication of information that identifies or is likely to identify a child in any AVO proceedings or a protected person or witness in AVO proceedings involving domestic violence;
- Provision that a protected person in domestic violence AVO proceedings is not required to disclose his/her address where to do so may put his/her personal safety at risk; and
- Amending the Crimes Act to provide that the requisite intent for the offence of stalking/intimidation is to cause a person to fear physical or mental harm or to fear for the safety of a third person.
“The AVO system has generally served women at risk well despite a small minority of high profile cases where AVOs have been misused for vexatious purposes, “Mr Shaw said.
“This initiative fine tunes the AVO system to ensure women at risk get the protection they need while introducing greater checks to screen out mischievous applications.
“The separation of AVOs into two categories (ADVOs and APVOs) recognises the difference in the nature and unusual level of violence that exists in domestic violence and non-domestic matters.
“It is designed to ensure domestic violence matters are not trivialised or obscured through association with non-domestic disputes,” Mr Shaw said.
Greater security and assessment of AVPO applications and new powers for the Courts to award costs for frivolous or vexatious AVO claims will screen out mischievous applications while ensuring vulnerable people with legitimate complaints continue to have access to AVPOs.
“Complainants seeking APVOs in inappropriate circumstances can be informed by the authorised justice that the court has a greater discretion in awarding costs against them should they be unsuccessful”, Mr Shaw said.
The majority of respondents to the Government’s AVO Review – including the NSW Police Service – agreed that the police should be obliged to record reasons for not following up alleged breaches of AVOs, and that this obligation should be incorporated in legislation.
Older Women Speak Up - Violence in the Home
Two older women, Margaret Sargent and Jane Mears, are producing a booklet of stories by older women about violence they have experienced in the home.
The project comes under the auspices of the University of Western Sydney and is funded by the Department for Women.
“Right now we are trialing a draft of the booklet. We are looking for volunteers to take part in this initial trial by reading the booklet, filling in the accompanying forms, and returning them to us” said Margaret Sargent.
“If you see yourself as an older woman, even if you have little experience of violence, we would be pleased to have you as a volunteer.”
For more information or to volunteer to read the first draft contact:
Margaret Sargent
Phone: (02) 9523 9558
Address: Older Women Speak Up - Violence in the Home
1A Liverpool St
Bundeena
NSW 2230
Partnerships Against Domestic Violence
A showcase of initiatives developed under the Commonwealth Partnerships Against Domestic Violence (PADV) will be held in Sydney on 26 May 2000.
PADV have been holding showcases across the country to provide professionals working in the domestic violence sector with an opportunity to see the latest initiatives.
For information about the showcase contact Karen Heller on (02) 92228 7899 or email karen_heller@agd.nsw.gov.au
New National Crime Prevention resource addresses sexual violence on campus.
The Federal Government joined forces with Australian Universities and TAFEs to reduce sexual violence to young women on campuses this year by distributing sexual violence ‘z-cards’ during orientation week.
Z-cards are an unique credit card sized resource which unfolds to reveal substantial print material.
The sexual violence z-cards address common myths around this issue and stress the need for young women to seek help and support even when they are unsure that what happened was sexual assault. The z-cards include general information on sexual assault, responses to sexual assault, and where to get help, including State and Territory contact numbers for Sexual Assault Services. Students are also encouraged to contact relevant services within their university or TAFE.
Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, on announcing the availability of the z-cards said, “Sexual assault on campus is a hidden and under-reported crime.”
“While Universities and TAFEs are taking action to address this critical issue, young females in their earlier years on campus, and in the earlier parts of the year, are believed to be particularly at risk.”
“To address this concern, z-cards have been developed and are being sent throughout Australia to tertiary institutions for distribution as part of enrolment and orientation weeks. The z-cards will also be made available for students at key points on campuses, including student services and counselling offices.”
The resource is not available through any other distribution point. Options for further distribution are being considered.
The sexual violence z-card was developed as part of the Federal Government’s National Crime Prevention Towards a Safer Australia.
Regional Violence Prevention Specialist Program
New Appointment in Northern Sydney region
Jenny Huxley is the newly appointed Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for the Northern Sydney region. Jenny was previously the Principal Solicitor at Hawkesbury/Nepean Community Legal Centre.
Kinks and Bends – what’s the go in relationships?
Kinks and Bends – what’s the go in relationships? is a community education and early intervention project being undertaken on the Central Coast. This project arose out of the local community’s concern about the incidence of date rape and its effects on young women. Some young women even accept violence as an inevitable part of their relationships.
The project considers ways to raise awareness about the effects of violence against young women as well as possible strategies and options for safety and healthy relationships. The young women participating are exploring their ideas and knowledge through a mix of group work and creative arts mediums. Each workshop brings together young women with a broad mix of life experiences. This includes a number of young mothers who are concerned about the effects of violence on their children.
“The use of creative arts as a violence prevention strategy is attracting a lot of interest” said Chris Smith, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for the Central Coast region.
“Community art has a valuable role to play in achieving social action and change around reducing violence against women”.
For more information contact Chris Smith on (02) 4320 2575.
New resource for women who speak Punjabi
‘Violence is Crime’ a culturally appropriate pamphlet in Punjabi language was produced for Indian sub-continent women in the Wentworth region.
The idea of exploring the issues of violence against women for this target group was canvassed with service providers. As a result, needs assessment workshops with women from Indian sub-continent were organised. A lack of culturally appropriate resources was identified by the participants.
The resource has also been adapted in the Mid North Coast region. Coffs Harbour area has a large Punjabi speaking community, the oldest established in Australia. It is the first time that a culturally appropriate resource on the issues of violence against women has been produced for this community.
For information about the project contact Anoop Johar, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Wentworth Region on (02) 4732 1322.
Preventing violence against women with disabilities.
In the South Western Sydney region, over 20 women with disabilities attended workshops to learn about violence prevention strategies.
The project was a joint initiative with the Macquarie Fields Safe Women’s Project and the Macarthur Disabilities Network.
The workshops provided participants with training in protective behaviours and self defence and personal alarms.
“Consultation was one of the most important elements of this project” said Lilian Gomez, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, South Western Sydney Region.
“We asked women with disabilities what would make them feel safe in order to best meet their needs.”
The women are also participating in the development of resources aimed at educating the community on issues of safety for those with disabilities.
For information about the project contact Lilian Gomez on (02) 9821 8527.
Regional Violence Prevention Specialists (RVPS) Contact List
| Regional Specialist | Area Health Region | Phone |
| Jenny Huxley | Northern Sydney | (02) 9976 8020 |
| To be announced | Far West | (02) 6872 1795 |
| Robyn Edwards | South Eastern Sydney | (02) 9382 8145 |
| Mary Willis | Northern Rivers | (02) 6620 2132 |
| Lilian Gomez | South Western Sydney | (02) 9821 8527 |
| Cathy Hastings | New England | (02) 6768 2814 |
| To be announced | Illawarra | (02) 4254 0302 |
| Anoop Johar | Wentworth | (02) 4732 1322 |
| Helen Kay | Mid Western | (02) 6361 6925 |
| Karen MacLean | Greater Murray | (02) 6058 1850 |
| Jillian Meyers-Brittain | Hunter | (02) 4929 0921 |
| Matina Mottee | Central Sydney | (02) 9715 0448 |
| To be announced | Macquarie | (02) 6881 2244 |
| Chris Smith | Central Coast | (02) 4320 2575 |
| Rugmini Venkatraman | Western Sydney | (02) 9633 0717 |
| To be announced | Mid North Coast | (02) 6551 1507 |
| Tashe Long | Southern | (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 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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