Communities of Respect and Equality (CORE) – A Regional Plan for the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children across the Grampians

It is exciting to say that this significant initiative has almost completed it’s first phase! For the past three months a Reference Group made up of senior leaders from 25 key organisations across the Grampians have been meeting to develop the vision and goals for a strategy that provides a framework for action through addressing four key goals:

Stronger partnerships that include a broad range of participants, united to address the drivers of violence against women

Increased ability to challenge the drivers of gender inequality and violence in our social and professional settings, including sexism, discrimination, and stereotypes

Improved systems, structures, policies and practices that address gender equality in organisations and collectively

Better shared information about what works and what doesn’t, to inform and encourage continued action
 
The plan provides a solid foundation for integrated work and the opportunity for collective impact. From here, a CORE Governance Group will lead reporting and accountability to this strategy.

The Plan will be launched in Ballarat on Monday 30 May, by Minister Jaala Pulford and will include a keynote address by Former Assistant Commissioner of VicPol, Leigh Gassner followed by a panel discussion. Invitations will be sent out on Monday 9 May.

Victorian Royal Commission Report
We welcomed the Royal Commission into Family Violence Report on 30 March 2016. It is an impressive document, providing a comprehensive review of the extent and nature of family violence and its impact on women, families and our community. It considers in detail the safety and protection of victims, the accountability of perpetrators and the need for long term primary prevention. It also examines the different needs of various population groups, including the special needs of rural areas. It recommends investment, upskilling of the workforce and the removal of legislative or procedural barriers to a timely, comprehensive response. If implemented as intended, our response to family violence as a Victorian community will be considerably improved.

Encouragingly, the Commission reinforces the importance of primary prevention and urges a stronger commitment and funding to this area. The Report recognises that ‘whole of community’ approaches to prevention are essential and that a gendered approach should underpin all prevention and response activities. It also suggests that geographical factors, social norms and attitudes specific to life in rural and regional communities should be considered for prevention strategies to be effective in these areas. It is also recognised that family violence is more prevalent in some rural, regional and remote communities than in metropolitan area as a result of isolation, cultural factors and service limitations, hence action in these areas should be prioritised.

The Report states that too little effort is currently devoted to prevention and that a dedicated funding stream should be established, with better targeting of people who may otherwise miss out on key prevention messages –e.g. ensuring different languages are used, people with disabilities are included and issues arising from different cultural values are addressed. Best practice principles of effective prevention are identified as

• Involving the community
• Having strategies not just single programs
• Engaging men and boys
• Taking account of the circumstances of particular groups

Several aspects of the report speak directly to the work we are currently undertaking as a region in primary prevention, especially through the CORE Regional Plan, mentioned above.

A (Short) Tale of Two Budgets
Hot on the heels of the Royal Commission Report came the Victorian State Budget 2016, with unprecedented funding allocated to the family violence sector. From a prevention perspective, it was certainly encouraging to see a number of initiatives being identified for resourcing, notably:

• $21.8 million to strengthen the delivery of Respectful Relationships across Victorian schools and early childhood education.
•  $32.5 million to develop a new system to share information between services and make sure victims don’t get lost in the cracks.
•  $23.0 million for prevention services, aimed at those most at risk: adolescents, seniors, Aboriginal communities, LGBTI people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with a disability and regional and rural Victorians.
• $25.7 million in dedicated support for Aboriginal Victorians at risk of family violence, including prevention and early intervention developed in partnership with communities.
•  $9.0 million for Victoria’s first gender equality strategy and to advance women’s equality and leadership.

We still await detail on these allocations and how the various initiatives will be implemented -watch this space!

The Victorian State Budget also had some positive inclusions in the sexual and reproductive health area, with an investment of $6.6 million over four years to enhance women’s access to reproductive health services, including termination services and support for early treatment and management of endometriosis. Also of note is the commitment of $16.8 million to strengthen maternity care at smaller, rural health services.

Federal Budget
It has proven difficult to find much positive commentary on this week’s Federal Government Budget in terms of women’s health and family violence. $100 million has been allocated for family violence over three years, to deliver on aspects of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children and the recommendations of the Council of Australian Government’s Advisory Panel Report on reducing violence against women and their children. It is not clear how this will be spent specifically, apart from funding the current Respect advertising campaign, which has been well received. However, a big concern is that there is no new investment in community legal centres, leaving in place the national 30 per cent cut to begin in July 2017.

Aboriginal services have highlighted that while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised from family violence and 10 times more likely to die of violent assault than other women there was no evidence of investment in specific funding for programs to address this.

Unfortunately there was no new childcare funding , nor any further support for parental leave. One welcome initiative is the introduction of the Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO). This will provide a benefit of up to $500 a year for over 3 million people, of whom around two-thirds are women.

Further information on how the Federal Budget addresses women’s health and status can be found on the following links:
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/little-in-budget-to-counter-family-violence-20160504-golqgn.html#ixzz47qF2SjC6

https://theconversation.com/women-left-behind-by-a-budget-that-does-little-to-redress-inequality-58856

http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/budget-2016-morrison-and-turnbull-have-failed-women-again-20160503-golk0e.html
 

 
 

 

Co-facilitated by Ballarat Community Health & WRISC Family Violence Support

When: 2nd May - 20th June 2016
Where: Cooinda BCH 10 Learmonth Rd   Wendouree
Time: Mondays 9.30am  -12pm
Contact: WRISC 53333666 or BCHC 53384500

This group is for women who would like the opportunity to meet with other women who have been or are currently affected by family violence.  Its purpose is to provide a safe place for women who have been victims of violence to come together to explore the impact and consequences of family violence. 
The group will be run over 8 weeks, covering topics such as:-
· Identifying tactics of power nand control
· Dealing with the legal system
· Identifying strengths and values
· Respectful relationships
 

What happens in the group?

Each week the group will meet for 2 hours.  Following a greeting and warm up, a topic of discussion will be introduced. These topics may be identifying tactics of
power and control, the ways we are conditioned as women, confidence building,   caring for ourselves, and building on strengths.  Feedback will be sought each week, and a warm down exercise will end each session.
 

Confidentiality

Prior to the group starting, each woman will meet with both facilitators. This is to help ensure that she is safe and feels supported. We expect respectful communication within the group.
 

 
 
 

Twenty outstanding women have been inducted onto the 2016 Victorian Honour Roll of Women at a ceremony in Federation Square.
Minister for Women Fiona Richardson presented the awards to a large gathering of the inductees friends, family and supporters.
The Honour Roll is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the extensive and lasting contributions of women in Victoria at a local, national and international level.
This year’s inductees join the ranks of more than 500 other Victorian women, who have been inducted since the Honour Roll first began in 2001.
Representing the diversity of contributions made by women across all sectors of Victorian society, the 2016 inductees include a world renowned sculptor, the founder of a sustainable food rescue charity, a netball champion and leading comedian.
The list also boasts lifelong advocates for women’s rights, prevention of family violence, Aboriginal health, disadvantaged communities and leaders in education, media and law.
See the full list of the 2016 Honour Roll inductees below:

• Ms Simone Carson
• Ms Lisa Darmanin
• Mrs Noeleen Dix
• Mrs Doseena Fergie (nee Bin Garape)
• Ms Sherryl Garbutt
• Ms Virginia Geddes
• Ms Sally Goldner
• Mrs Be Ha
• Ms Joanna Hayter
• Professor Catherine Humphreys
• Catherine Mary Kelly
• Ms Mary Kenneally
• Ms Ingeborg King AM
• Ms Patti Manolis
• Ms Michelle Payne
• Dr Georgia Paxton
• Ms Colleen Pearce
• Mrs Fay Patricia Richards
• Ms Patricia Toop OAM
• Aunty Joan Agnes Vickery AO

More information on the Victorian Honour Roll for Women is available at www.dpc.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson

“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to celebrate the contributions of these remarkable Victorian women who have worked tirelessly to make our community a fairer and more inclusive place.”

“Every woman on this list has an amazing success story to tell. I’m incredibly proud that we have such inspirational leaders and mentors paving the way for our next generation of Victorian women.”

“I am pleased that amongst some of the incredible women honoured today, there are several long term advocates against domestic and family violence.”

30-31 May 2016
  
Applications for scholarships that cover the cost of the course can be made by sending a letter addressing the below criteria, along with your CV, to ceu@fpv.org.au
The following criteria will be considered in awarding scholarships. Please note – applicants are not required to meet all criteria

• Rural/remote work
• Working in Aboriginal Health Services
• Working with CALD/refugee communities
• High adolescent pregnancy rates
• Areas that have high STI/BBV rates
• Working with diverse communities
• Work at least 2 days per week in clinical setting within relevant postcode area
• Supervise others eg: GP supervisor, nurse preceptor
• Willingness to educate others in their area/clinic
• Work with young people
• Strong interest in reproductive and sexual health
• For nurses, evidence of professional development undertaken in related areas

 

Please join us for the
HER PLACE Women’s Museum Pop Up Exhibition

16 May – 3 June 2016, Melbourne Town Hall Room
Corner Swanston & Little Collins Streets, Melbourne
Open 10am – 5pm daily

Introducing the aims of HER PLACE Women’s Museum, the Pop Up highlights the contributions of nine amazing women to Australia’s social, cultural and economic story.  Discover the courage of Australia’s first commercial pilot Deborah Lawrie and nurse war hero Vivian Bullwinkel: homeless and “at risk” young people business activist Rebecca Scott and Jill Bilcock, the highly awarded Australian film editor. In addition to the profiled women a program of public talks will explore topical issues affecting women of all ages, including feminism today, the impact of domestic violence and women in sport.   Visitors will also have the ability to share their ideas for a future HER PLACE Women’s Museum and be part of its development.

 

For more about HER PLACE and full details of the Pop Up Exhibition: www.herplacemuseum.com

Lego's just announced its newest set of mini-figures, and they're a welcome win for diversity and inclusiveness in kids' toys.

For a long time now WHG have been using some of the past Lego creations as examples of gender inequality, as below, A 1981 advertisement and the new range of Lego targeted at girls.


We welcome some of the shifts the toy company have been implementing lately (including women in STEM fields set) and now the new more diverse range, Lego City is slowly changing and for that we are hopeful.