National Women's Safety Alliance

On 23 August 2024, the Australian Government received the final report from the expert panel appointed to undertake a rapid review of evidence-based approaches to prevent gender-based violence. The report provides specific and practical advice to strengthen prevention approaches and builds on considerable work currently underway in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. The report makes 21 recommendations across 6 key areas for action by federal, state and territory governments. The recommendations will be taken forward as a priority for discussion by National Cabinet. In September, Join the National Women's Safety Alliance as we unpack the Rapid Review Report "Unlocking the Prevention Potential: accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence." We will be joined by rapid review panel members, including Anne Summers, Jess Hill, Elena Campbell, Zac Seidler and Dr Leigh Gassner APM, to discuss the findings and take questions. #endgenderbasedviolence #rapidreviewpanel #rapidreviewreport https://lnkd.in/dz9jwT2v

Today, our Principal Lawyer and Executive Manager of Legal Services, Ajsela Siskovic is in Canberra presenting evidence at the Inquiry into Family Violence Orders alongside our colleagues from National Women's Safety Alliance and Single Mother Families Australia. We're proud to highlight our learnings and experience working with migrant and refugee women within the justice and legal system. Our Women's Legal Centre functions as part of inTouch's wraparound, holistic family violence services, and today we'll continue to iterate the importance of sustainable and long term funding to provide the best protection and support possible for vulnerable women and their children.

Thanks National Women's Safety Alliance for your support of a specialised focus on sexual violence in the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. Unfortunately, just adding an "S" into DFV isn't an effective policy response. Our understanding is that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, currently being developed will have a distinct and separate focus on sexual violence, which is strongly supported. "She (Katherine B.) wants to see more accountability around progress on sexual violence as the national plan continues." "One of the things that we've advocated strongly for, in terms of looking at the action plan, is to have sexual violence looked at as a standalone issue within the action plan. It is in the national plan," she said. "But when we're looking at ABS crime statistic [there's] a rise of 11 per cent in reporting, and remember that's only the crimes that are getting reported, and victimisation is currently outstripping population growth. "It demonstrates that we really need that specialised focus on this as a standalone issue."

Want to make a difference in women's safety? Join the National Women's Safety Alliance! Becoming a member is easy and impactful. Visit our website, fill out a quick form, and start advocating for policies that protect and empower women and children. Together, we can create a safer world. Ready to join us? Visit https://lnkd.in/gJ9RD9nR #endviolenceagainstwomen

The Government is making new rules about what kinds of supports and services people can use NDIS funding for. We want to know what you think about using NDIS funding for period products. We know that people with disabilities sometimes need different types of products to help manage their periods, because of their disability. This includes things like adaptive period underwear or tampon insertion aids. Your feedback will help us to tell the NDIS what kind of supports you need. Have your say here: https://buff.ly/4dz62kb Your responses will be private. We will not collect your name or other personal information. If you have any questions, need help with the survey, or want to send us feedback, please email [email protected] or call 0438 535 123.

We know during State of Origin, women's shelters and domestic violence hotlines brace for a surge in people coming to them for help. When evidence shows domestic violence climbs 40% around Origin games, governments must step in and take meaningful steps to prevent harms to women and children. Instead, this year we have seen politicians stand alongside DrinkWise, which is a front for some of the biggest alcohol companies in Australia, supporting a campaign that obscures the truth about alcohol's role in driving violence during game days. Meanwhile, we have seen alcohol companies boast about increased alcohol sales during Origin game nights. These same companies pour money into lobby groups that have blocked modest alcohol policy reforms that would actually reduce harm, like restrictions on delivery to before 10pm, or a two-hour safety pause between sale and delivery for online delivery services. If governments and sporting codes are serious about wanting to reduce alcohol-driven domestic and family violence during State of Origin, they must end their partnerships with alcohol companies who stand in the way of the very lawsthat could help keep women and children safe. Read the full ABC News article on DrinkWise's problematic Origin campaign, including comments from FARE CEO Caterina Giorgi: https://lnkd.in/eqdNf857 #StateofOrigin #Origin #DomesticViolence #ViolenceAgainstWomen #NRL #EnoughIsEnough Alcohol and Drug Foundation Michael Salter Jess Hill Jill Stark Alcohol Change Australia Full Stop Australia Women's Community Shelters National Women's Safety Alliance

The Australian Institute of Criminology report released yesterday has found that just over one-fifth of Australians aged 18 to 45 have perpetrated a  form of sexual violence since turning 18, and one in 14 have done so in the past year. With more than 5,000 Australians surveyed, the findings of this survey are consistent with the Australian Bureau of Statistics report released in June this year, which reported an 11% increase in the number of victim-survivors of sexual assault recorded by police in 2023. That was the highest rate of sexual assault  victim-survivors recorded in the 31-year dataset.   NWSA Executive Director, Katherine B. has described the findings as “horrifying … but consistent with what we’re hearing from our specialist sexual violence services”." thanks Angela Lynch AM GAICD, Karen Bevan and Tara Hunter for your tireless advocacy https://lnkd.in/gts9MCdf

A fantastic event today thank you to our Safe and Equal colleagues- we are in total agreement. Thank you Zoe Daniel MP for including NWSA in todays event. #endgenderbasedviolence

Great to see our colleagues at Women's Legal Services Australia contributing to this critical discussion. Financial abuse post separation is another tool of perpetrator control. #endgenderbasedviolence

The National Women's Safety Alliance is excited to announce the next Monthly Members Forum. In July, we will discuss the key findings of research Identifying and understanding child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men with Professor Michael Salter lead investigator and Director of Childlight - Global Child Safety Institute UNSW 1:00pm - 2:00-pm Wednesday, 3rd July 2024 via Teams Register here: https://lnkd.in/guXukkfv "The first nationally representative research into the prevalence of child sexual offending behaviours and attitudes has shed unprecedented light on sexually abusive behaviours and feelings among Australian men. Released by UNSW University and Jesuit Social Services the study reveals that of the community sample surveyed, one in five Australian men reported sexual feelings towards children and/or have sexually offended against children, with one-third of those who have thoughts towards children motivated to access help. “The largest study of its kind ever undertaken globally, Identifying and understanding child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men, measures the prevalence of risk behaviours and attitudes regarding child sexual offending among a representative sample of 1,945 Australian men aged 18 to over 65. The report provides a new approach for measuring and tracking this issue and includes information that can bolster the service responses and attitudinal changes that help keep children safe from harm.” #endcsa #endcse