Violence Against Women Bulletin - November 2000
Information Bulletin - November 2000: Volume 4, Issue 3
Violence Against Women - it’s against all the rules
“Violence Against Women - It’s Against All The Rules” is a State-wide campaign to be launched early in December 2000. It will feature prominent sporting identities using sporting terms as a key component of the message. Laurie Daley (Rugby League), Michael Slater (Cricket), Dale Lewis (Australian Rules Football) and Mark Viduka/Mark Bosnich (Soccer) are some of the sporting stars who have agreed to be featured in the campaign.
Messages have been developed that will appeal to a target audience of young men, aged between 21-29. The messages include: “Sledging a Women: That’s Verbal Abuse (Michael Slater); and “Striking a Woman - That’s Assault” (Dale Lewis). The messages and images seek to increase men’s knowledge of the range of behaviours that are abusive or violent to women. They aim to increase men’s commitment to preventing violence against women. The campaign will generate discussion and raise understanding in the community about violence against women issues.
The campaign has four broad components which are detailed below. The campaign will include a radio commercial broadcast across the State, bus posters in Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions and regional initiatives supported by the Strategy’s Violence Prevention Specialists.
1
Development of advertising resources, including a logo, slogan, key messages and visuals, and high profile promotion of these materials. | 2
A public relations strategy targeting both State-wide and regional key media. The public relations strategy will include a reactive component, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. |
3
Regional and local implementation, as well as media advocacy and community-based projects using materials and messages generated for the campaign. | 4
An evaluation strategy.
For copies of campaign posters or information about local activities, contact your Regional Violence Prevention Specialist |
Don't Get Spiked!
Any drug, including alcohol, can be used as a weapon against a person to make them vulnerable to assault, robbery and unsafe sex. A number of people are reporting to sexual assault services that they have been drugged and sexually assaulted. Survivors of such assaults are often left frightened and confused, sometimes with little or no memory of the actual assault, making it difficult to identify and prosecute perpetrators.
Matina Mottee, Violence Prevention Specialist for Central Sydney region, is raising awareness about drink spiking, its related dangers and encouraging protective behaviours in social settings:
“I produced flyers with the assistance of Eastern and Central Sexual Assault Services, which were distributed by the Licensing Police to (licensed) premises around the CBD and Central Sydney. In July this year Eastern and Central Sexual Assault Services held an information seminar, with over 80 participants, on the use of drugs in sexual assault. A video of the seminar will be available soon. I am also working with Central Sydney Area Health Service to extend the community education campaign.”
Jenny Huxley, Violence Prevention Specialist for Northern Sydney region, jointly produced a "Spiked Drinks” poster with Manly Davidson Police and Manly Council, which was sent to all licensed premises, restaurants, backpackers and low-cost accommodation in Manly.
“I spoke to the Manly Youth Forum about spiked drinks, at the request of Belinda Kenrick, the Council’s Youth Development Officer. The Forum decided to assist with a hotel survey and local campaign. Two hotels in Manly allowed us to put up the Spiked Drinks poster and interview patrons over two nights. 15 young people were trained and sent to survey hotel patrons. Response was very positive with around 400 surveys completed. Media response has also been positive. I was interviewed about the dangers of these attacks on the 2SER radio station and The Manly Daily ran an article on spiked drinks.”
A State-wide community education campaign about this type of assault is being considered for the Regional Violence Prevention Program.
For further information contact Matina Mottee on (02) 9715 0448 or Jenny Huxley on (02) 9976 8020
Targeting Domestic Violence
This sign is one of four standing at highway entrances leading into Glen Innes. Community workers have attributed a recent increase in referrals to welfare agencies, as being a direct response to local media attention and visibility of the signs. A two year project culminated in the Glen Innes Domestic Violence Liaison Committee donating these signs to the Local Council, who generously agreed to bear the cost of erecting them. The Committee acknowledges the support and assistance of the Mayor, Councillor Jan Sharman and General Manager of Glen Innes and Severn Shire Council in development of this project.
Conferences and events
Men and Relationships: partnerships in progress
A national forum on Men and Relationships will be held in Sydney on 20 & 21 November 2000 as part of the Commonwealth’s Partnerships Against Domestic Violence program. The forum, for service providers, researchers and policy-makers, will cover such issues as new fathers and parenting, relationships, working with children, anti-violence programs, perpetrator programs, rural issues, Indigenous programs and working in partnership.
One Day Forum on What is “At Risk of Harm”?: challenges and implications of the new Child Protection Legislation
On 8th November 2000 a Forum on the challenges and implications of the new Child Protection Legislation was held at Manly Warringah Rugby Leagues Club. Information regarding outcomes of the forum may be obtained from Michelle Fishwick, Warringah Council (02) 9942 2522 or Jenny Huxley (02) 9976 8020
Health and Community Regional Services Directory launch
Health & Community Regional Services launched their Directory 2000 for the Northern Sydney Region on 11 September this year. The Directory has been designed for the use of workers, providing contact details of health and community services in the Northern Sydney region. The Directory was developed as a collaborative project between Northern Sydney Health Women’s Health Service and the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit. Guest speakers at the launch included Professor Kathy Baker (Northern Sydney Health), Peter Homel (Director Crime Prevention Division, Attorney Generals Department), Jenny Huxley (Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Northern Sydney region) and Robyn Hately (NSH Women’s Health Service).
Copies of the Directory may be obtained from Area Women’s Health on (02) 9926 6545
Aboriginal women get down to business
A very successful Women’s Business Day was held in Quirindi on 6 September 2000. Women’s Business Days provide opportunities for service providers and Aboriginal women to exchange information and facilitate women’s access to services.
Approximately 60 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women from the communities of Quirindi, Walhallow and Werris Creek attended the day’s sessions to hear information about domestic violence, child protection and sexual assault. Organisers Annie May Taylor, Barbara Carter, Roma Stanford (Aboriginal Health Workers from New England Health) and Cathy Hastings (New England Regional Violence Prevention Specialist) intended the day to provide accurate information in a relaxed and informal manner. Key speakers included:
- Winsome Matthews, Women’s Legal Resources Centre
- Susan Heyman, Area Sexual Assault Coordinator
- Detective Sergeant Cynthia Donovan, Child Protection Investigation Team
- Senior Constable Bob Bottomley, Oxley LAC Domestic Violence Liaison Officer
- Noeline Brown, Tamworth Women & Children’s Refuge
Participants indicated the day was really enjoyable. The Quirindi Women’s Business Day was one of a series held across the region.
For further information contact Cathy Hastings on (02) 6768 2814
Immigrant Women’s Speakout
The Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association, in collaboration with a number of women’s refuges and key women and ethnic organisations, held a “Women, Migration and Domestic Violence Forum” on Monday 23rd October 2000. The forum sought to raise awareness of issues confronting non-English speaking women in domestic violence situations, particularly for those who are at risk because their immigration status makes it difficult to leave the violent situation or seek Government assistance.
Reducing Criminality conference
The “Reducing Criminality: Partnerships and Best Practice” conference, organised by the Australian Institute of Criminology, was held in Perth on 31st July-1st August, 2000. Conference papers and discussion focussed on four themes:
- What program works, where and how;
- Building bridges from research to practice;
- Building inter-agency partnerships; and
- Effective practice and evaluation.
Various best practice models, innovative approaches, successful educational and rehabilitation programs and service strategies to reduce criminality were showcased. Underlying issues and barriers to implementation of various models were also highlighted. Rugmini Venkatraman, Violence Prevention Specialist for Western Sydney region, spoke on ‘Practising Inter-agency Partnerships to Reduce Violence Against Women’. The paper explored a concept of prevention of violence against women as part of a holistic approach to reducing crime. The paper demonstrated how inter-agency partnerships could work towards this, with reference to implementation of the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women and projects conducted in the Western Sydney region.
Papers of this conference will be available on the Australian Institute of Criminology’s web site.
Partnerships and programs
Domestic Violence Line
The Department of Community Services provides a crucial service through its Domestic Violence (DV) Line to women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. The DV Line provides a freecall 1800 number, 24 hours, seven days a week, offering telephone counselling in crisis situations, advice information and referral.
The Bradfield Nyland Group conducted an evaluation of the service in 1999. They found the DV Line was seen by many clients as a primary entry point to a network of assistance available to women experiencing domestic violence. The evaluation found the service well-regarded, with staff viewed as professional, skilled and caring. Two primary recommendations of the evaluation were that the DV Line be retained and that it re-locate to share premises with the Department’s Helpline (formerly Teleservice Centre), with effective operational links formed between the two services.
On 31st July the DV Line moved to its new premises and received an increase in staffing levels. The telephone number for clients remains the same: 1800 65 64 63. A service provider number has yet to be established but service providers can contact the DV Line on (02) 9633 8581 in the interim.
Partnerships with Local Courts
As part of the Domestic Violence Client Service Project, Local Courts are conducting an initiative aimed at improving service to clients in domestic violence cases. A pilot workshop was held in Newcastle on 5-6th September involving 21 participants, including 13 Local Court staff, representatives from local police and Court Assistance Schemes, and Jane Wangmann from the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit. Jillian Meyers-Brittain, Violence Prevention Specialist for Hunter region, and Carol Carter from Local Courts co-facilitated the workshop with great success.
Local Court staff found the exercise helpful, stating they felt confident in providing a service to victims of domestic violence and would recommend the workshop to other Local Court staff to attend. The workshop was developed around the principle of empowerment and is based, in part, on the NSW Domestic Violence Core Training Package. Exercises were designed to be experiential and promote self-directed learning in a non-threatening environment.
Local Courts will conduct further workshops in regional centres, co-facilitated by Violence Against Women Specialist Unit staff. Workshops will commence in Sydney at the end of this year and will be held at various locations across the State.
Cops and Communities: a PACT to tackle domestic violence
The Police and Community Training (PACT) program is a joint initiative of NSW Police Service and Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW. It aims to promote locally-based, police-community training, awareness and ongoing dialogue. There are currently seven PACT projects across Sydney addressing critical local issues. One of these, the Penrith/St. Mary’s PACT Project, is focussed on impacts of domestic violence for families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Penrith/St. Mary’s PACT Project is managed by a local steering committee comprising police and community representatives. Filipino, Arabic-speaking, Indian, and Pacific Islander communities in the area have been identified as lacking facilities and resources to reduce domestic violence. An information day was held on 22nd June to discuss these issues, with nearly a hundred local community members, service-providers and police officers attending. The project will draw on community input to train police to respond to domestic violence in culturally-appropriate ways. The project is due to be completed by June 2001 but aims to foster ongoing communication between police and communities.
For further information contact Shobha Sharma & Evelyn Mike, PACT Program Coordinators on: 02 9339 5157
Achievements for Women
Each year an Audit of NSW Government Achievements for Women is conducted to evaluate the progress of Government commitments to women in a range of major areas, including violence and safety, access to justice and equality before the law.
The Department for Women is about to engage in this year’s Audit and will ask all NSW Government agencies to outline their current initiatives for women. The information will be compared to requirements under international instruments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Beijing Platform for Action. The Audit will also be used to assess the progress of the NSW Government’s commitments to women.
Last year the Audit’s findings were used to produce the NSW Government Action Plan for Women. The Action Plan is currently available via the web site www.women.nsw.gov.au or in a print format from the Department. An update report on the Action Plan, based on progress of existing commitments and new initiatives, will be available from the Department next year.
For more information about the audit process contact Sarah Maddison on (02) 9334 1177.
In memory of Patricia Simms
The pamphlet "Hey Sister Girl! It Only Takes One Step !" was brought to life by Patricia Simms of the Bok Bok Gallery Aboriginal Corporation, through her wonderful artistic skills and deep understanding of family violence issues for Aboriginal women. Sadly, this committed artist passed away in mid-August this year. Ms Simms will be missed not only by her community but also by the Violence Prevention Specialists for Western Sydney and Wentworth regions, who worked with her on this project.
What’s on What’s New
Coming up in your region soon
- Domestic Violence Forum, Hornsby Council Chambers, 28th November 2000, phone (02) 9971 4499
- Launch of the Young Women’s Diary, mid-December 2000, phone Karen McLean (02) 6023 7111
- AIC Conference: Stalking: Criminal Justice Responses, 7-8 December 2000, phone: (02) 6292 9000
- Release of an information package for victims of domestic violence, January/February 2001, phone Karen McLean (02) 6023 7111
Indigenous women’s access to services
A project proposal to improve access to service provision by Indigenous women experiencing violence is being developed by the Indigenous Working Party of the NSW Council on Violence Against Women. The first phase of the project will identify Indigenous women’s needs for services targeting violence across the State, investigate what services are provided and map gaps in service provision, with funding from the Department of Community Services. The Working Party will be seeking expressions of interest to conduct the first phase of the project. Please contact Rochelle Braaf for further details: (02) 9228 8437
Multilingual Sexual Assault Booklets
Over the past two years the Education Centre Against Violence has worked with diverse communities to develop accessible and culturally-appropriate booklets in community languages about adult sexual assault. The project required individuals or groups to consider appropriate ways of conveying information about sexual assault effectively to their communities. Different booklets draw on statistics, stories or religious scriptures to raise awareness. Written in a range of languages, the booklets provide information about sexual assault and services available to assist victims, counselling, access to interpreters and role of police.
Booklets in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish are currently available. A bilingual Punjabi/Hindi booklet and Italian booklet will be available soon and booklets in Khmer and Arabic are in development. Matina Mottee, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for Central Sydney, and the Centre are discussing options for developing a booklet in another community language. To order booklets contact the Education Centre Against Violence on (02) 9840 3737.
Older Women Speak Up
Older Women Speak Up are pleased to announce the publication of a booklet of stories of violence in the home, as told by older women to groups of other older women. The stories expose the terrible hurt and fear that women have experienced and portray tremendous courage, strength and endurance of these women. The collection of stories was compiled and edited by Margaret Sargent and Jane Mears, with funding from the Department for Women, NSW. Booklets are free and available from Older Women Speak Up: 1A Liverpool Street, Bundeena, NSW 2230
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) 6881 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 |
| Liz Mulder | Macquarie | (02) 6842 6447 |
| Chris Smith | Central Coast | (02) 4320 2575 |
| Rugmini Venkatraman | Western Sydney | (02) 9633 0717 |
| Mary Willis | Mid North Coast | (02) 6551 1507 |
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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