Violence Against Women Bulletin - September 1999
Information Bulletin - September 1999: Volume 3, Issue 3
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News from the NSW Council on Violence Against Women
Research Subcommittee
The Council created a Research Subcommittee to scope the needs for research on violence against women. The group comprises:
- Jude Irwin, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Sydney (Chair of the subcommittee);
- Dr Moira Carmody, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Inquiry at the University of Western Sydney;
- Cheryl McCoy, Personal Safety/Domestic Violence Senior Policy Officer, NSW Police Service;
- Jane Mears, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Policy and Human Services, University of Western Sydney;
- Toni Milne, Manager, Community Development Partnerships Team, Department of Community Services;
- Liz Mulder, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Macquarie Region;
- Janet Ramsay;
- Carole Ruthchild, Policy Officer, Law and Violence Unit, Department for Women;
- a representative from the Health Services Policy Branch, NSW Health;
- Julie Stubbs, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Sydney; and
- Rugmini Venkatraman, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Western Sydney Region.
The Research Subcommittee will:
- critically analyse the need for research;
- ensure that research being conducted within the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women is informed by expert advice;
- develop priorities for research;
- identify potential sources of funding for research projects; and
- identify and develop strategic links between institutions, other organisations and individuals conducting research in the area of prevention of violence against women.
News from the Unit
Staffing changes
Tracey Hales, Policy Officer with the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit is currently seconded to NSW Health to review the department’s domestic violence policy. Leandra Coffey from Department for Women is filling Tracey’s position during her absence.
Judy Duggan, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for the Far West Region is retiring. Judy has clocked up many kilometres in her work in the western part of the State. Her colleagues thank Judy for all her hard work and wish her well in her new ventures.
Punita Boardman, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for Northern Sydney has taken up an 15 month position with Lismore Council as Community Safety Officer.
Mary Willis, Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for the Mid North Coast will be relocating to Lismore to act as Northern Rivers Regional Violence Prevention Specialist for 3 months until December 1999, in the absence of Di Furness.
What’s On, What’s New
Emotional Abuse is Real: new print resource
A new resource for women was launched in April this year as part of Stop Domestic Violence Week.
Called Emotional Abuse is Real, it is the result of a community arts project funded by the South Eastern Sydney Area Health Promotion Service and TAFE Gender Equity Unit. Women from St George community worked alongside specialist Community Health and Women’s Health staff to write and design the pamphlet, which is now into its second print run.
It includes a checklist to assist women identify emotional abuse, survival tips, contact numbers and a “snakes and ladders” representation of emotional abuse. It folds up to a convenient business card size, a design important to women, who may need to keep sensitive information apart from an abusive partner.
“The resource was developed to inform women in the community that domestic violence is not only physical abuse but a complex system of control including social, financial, sexual and emotional abuse” said Lydia Campillo, Domestic Violence Project Worker, South East Sydney Women’s Health Service.
“We want to educate women about aspects of domestic violence, specifically emotional abuse, to promote early intervention and therefore prevent stress disorders relating to trauma and abuse.”
To obtain copies, contact South East Sydney Women’s Health Service on 9382 8156 or fax 9382 8158. Up to 20 copies are available without charge.
Your Day in Court
The video and booklet Your Day in Court were launched by the Director of Victim’s Services, Claire Vernon, on 13 May 1999. The kit has been widely distributed throughout NSW.
The Victims of Crime Bureau’s Interagency Forum identified the need for an up to date information resource that could be used to assist victims of crime, who may be required as witnesses, to have a better understanding of the legal system in NSW. Many victims who have had access to counselling and other support services feel retraumatised when faced with the prospect of being a witness. Often a victim’s understanding of the legal system revolves around what they see on television - glossy American TV Shows based on a legal system totally different to ours. It is vitally important for victim/witnesses to be prepared with accurate information to help equip them for their role as a witness in court.
The video was designed to reduce stress and empower victims of crime by providing an overview of the court processes in both Local and District Courts in New South Wales. It shows the roles and responsibilities of court personnel.
“By knowing what to expect when going to court it is hoped that victims of crime will be able to approach the experience from a position of knowledge, confidence and strength” said Marianne Curtis, Manager, Victim of Crimes Bureau.
The video won a gold plaque at the Chicago Film Festival. Your Day in Court picked up the prestigious award in the Human Relations - Social Interest category of the International Communications Film and Video Competition at the Festival.
“We were thrilled. You really feel all that effort was worth it. It was a great effort all round” said Marianne Curtis, Manager of the Victims of Crime Bureau.
Your Day in Court is available from the Film and Television Office for $25. The video is available in captioned form to assist the hearing impaired and will be available in community languages based on demand. The Film and Television Office can be contacted on telephone (02) 9264 6400.
New Policy to Improve Investigation and Management of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a serious, violent crime which will not be tolerated in New South Wales. That is the message from the NSW Police Service which has introduced a new policy and set of procedures for dealing with adult sexual assault.
The Wood Royal Commission identified a need for the NSW Police Service to improve its responses to both child and adult victims of sexual assault. Joint Investigation Teams were established to address the specialised needs of children and the NSW Police Service Policy and Standing Operating Orders for the Investigation and Management of Adult Sexual Assault has been developed to address the needs of adult victims.
One of the fundamental changes under the new policy is the role criminal investigators will play in dealing with this crime. Under the new sexual assault policy, all criminal investigators will be responsible for the investigation and management of adult sexual assault. This means that detectives, not general duties police, will deal with the offences from start to finish.
Detectives will be required to attend a competency-based course which has been specially designed to equip criminal investigators with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to investigate and manage sexual assault.
Commander Lola Scott, Police Service spokesperson for sexual assault issues, said the implementation of a new policy and set of procedures for the investigation and management of adult sexual assault demonstrated the Police Service’s commitment to supporting victims and reducing the incidence of sexual assault.
“This policy will ensure the NSW Police Service responds in a prompt and professional manner to all incidents of sexual assault,” said Commander Scott.
“Victims of sexual assault can be confident they will receive the support they need from criminal investigators who are now responsible for the investigation and management of adult sexual assault.”
“This new policy should encourage victims of adult sexual assault to report the crime to police, confident the Police Service will do everything in its power to support and protect them.”
At the launch of the new policy, Minister for Police, Paul Whelan, spoke of the need to provide victims of sexual assault with support, understanding and sensitivity and to gather evidence in a way that educes trauma.
“Last year, police responded to more than 4, 500 incidents of sexual assault. According to experts, however, this figure represents only half of all incidents.”
“Adult sexual assault is one of the few crimes police would like to hear more about more often, because that would mean more victims are reporting this heinous crime and giving us the opportunity to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.”
Revision of the NSW Health Domestic Violence Policy
The NSW Department of Health is undertaking a review of the NSW Health Domestic Violence Policy.
The review will examine the changes to the infrastructure, legislation and service provision that have been implemented since the introduction of the current policy in 1993. The review will assess the impact of these changes upon the provision of health services to victims of domestic violence.
The NSW Department of Health has produced a Discussion Paper on the Domestic Violence Policy and is seeking comments from health workers and government and non-government organisations about the revised policy. To guide responses, specific questions have been included in the Discussion Paper. However, comments about all aspects of the policy are welcome. The closing date for comments is 5:00pm Friday 19 November 1999.
Copies of the NSW Health Domestic Violence Policy Discussion Paper can be obtained by contacting Tracey Hales, A/Policy Analyst, NSW Health.
For more information please contact:
Tracey Hales, Health Services Policy Branch
Email: thale@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Regional Violence Prevention Specialist Program
New England
Results of two projects from the New England Regional Action Plan were launched recently by NSW Police Service Regional Commander Peter Walsh:
1. The New England Violence Against Women Quilt; and
2. A Domestic Violence Education Manual.
The New England Violence Against Women Quilt
The process used to develop the quilt reflects a positive interagency and community response to the issue of violence against women. Patches were contributed by various individuals (both men and women), service providers, women’s groups and a TAFE class.
Displayed in public venues, the quilt draws community attention to the issue of violence against women, invites interest and curiosity from the public and creates opportunities where information can be disseminated.
The quilt will tour across the New England region, spending 4 - 6 weeks in individual towns. Towns will display the quilt in a variety of venues eg Police Stations, Court Houses, Libraries, Council Buildings, Community Health Centres, Hospitals, Art galleries etc. It will also be available for significant events within the region.
Domestic Violence Education Manual
The manual provides a framework for service providers who are invited by High Schools to discuss issues of domestic violence with students. As a framework, the manual provides consistent information and a mechanism of quality assurance to service providers who are already visiting High Schools.
The process used to develop this resource is an excellent example of effective interagency partnerships involving both domestic violence service providers, teachers, counsellors and other representatives from the Department of Education and Training.
Working Together for A Safer Future conference
About 160 people, primarily workers from government and non-government agencies in the Wentworth Region attended a regional conference held in Penrith on 26 and 27 July 1999.
The conference, Working Together For A Safer Future, was co-ordinated by Wentworth Regional Violence Prevention Specialist, Anoop Johar. A number of government and non-government agencies from the Wentworth Region were involved in its planning.
Aims of the conference included:
- promote a partnership approach between agencies;
- provide opportunities for inter-sectoral discussion and collaboration by workers on violence issues relating to women and children; and
- develop strategies to address these issues.
Officially opened by the Honourable Faye Lo Po’, day one, featured a range of speakers on violence issues and included a dynamic interactive panel discussion of case studies, highlighting different agency policies and processes. The day was facilitated by Julie McCrossin, media personality and a well known advocate for the prevention of violence against women. Concurrent sessions in the afternoon provided an opportunity for participants to discuss a range of issues and topics.
Day Two saw a change of pace with conference participants engaging in a workshop to identify priorities for the Region, profile the crimes and abuses that occur and generate strategies that might prevent and reduce violence against women in the Wentworth region. The workshop elicited a range of local and regional issues and perspectives with an emphasis on dialogue rather than debate.
The rich information gathered from the conference will guide the activities and projects in this region.
Regional Violence Prevention Specialists (RVPS) Contact List
| Regional Specialist | Area Health Region | Location | Phone |
| To be announced | Northern Sydney | Manly | (02) 9976 8020 |
| To be announced | Far West | Bourke | (02) 6872 1795 |
| Robyn Edwards | South Eastern Sydney | Zetland | (02) 9382 8145 |
| Mary Willis (temporary) | Northern Rivers | Lismore | (02) 6620 7550 |
| 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 |
| To be announced | 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 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
Click here to download the PDF version of the September 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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