News

SISTERS INSIDE CONFERENCE - IS PRISON OBSOLETE? Sisters Inside is holding its 3rd International Conference which will address crucial issues relating to the criminalisation of women, their experience of prison and post release. Melbourne 20-22 July, 2005. For more information or to submit an abstract, For more details

REFOCUSING WOMEN\\\'S EXPERIENCES OF VIOLENCE - a conference that will examine the policies, protocols and procedures that support women\\\'s rights to safety and security. It aims to promote best practice, identify gaps and be a catalyst for social action in responding to and preventing violence against women. September 14-16, 2005, Bankstown Town Hall. For more info

FEMINIST WEEKEND WORKSHOP - CONTEMPORARY VOICES - 8-10 July 2005, Magnetic Island, North QLD. This workshop is for all women who passionately believe that feminist wisdom will contribute to a better and fairer world. Guest speakers include Lara Fergus, Emma Woodley & Joanne Baker.
For more details

\\\"I.T. CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE\\\": Annual ICT event for girls organised and supported by GIDGITS, Women in Information Technology, the QLD Government and various universities. The event will feature fun ICT activities for girls, female ICT role models, and info for parents, teachers and career guidance officers. 9.30am-6.00pm, Griffith Uni, Nathan Campus, Thursday 21st July. For more info call 07 3315 5357 or email secretariat@wit.org.au.

The new Queensland Alliance for Legal Abortion has put together a letter to lobby state MPs for changes to QLD abortion laws.
you can
download from external site

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEATH REVIEW ACTION GROUP
A group of activists in QLD have formed around a campaign to lobby the State Government for a multi-disciplinary Domestic Violence Death Review Board. Each year there are a significant number of domestic violence deaths in QLD – in 2003 there were 28 domestic violence related deaths. More Aboriginal women and children die of domestic homicide than deaths in custody. The Action Group believes that many of these deaths could have been preventable. Multidisciplinary death review boards have been successful in other countries in making changes to government and community responses so as to prevent the deaths of women and children. A Domestic Violence Death Review Board would provide information on the nature and circumstance of each death as well as possible gaps in legislation and/or service response. With more information some of these deaths may be prevented. To support this important campaign, sign the e-petition requesting the QLD parliament establish such a Board.
sign petition

NEW MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE
The QLD Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors is calling for applications for membership to the new Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence. The Council will provide current and timely advice on issues that relate to the development of policy and programs that impact on domestic and family violence. For more information, including an application pack go to the Department of Communities web site. go to more info

CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSES
Ongoing funding for both the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault and the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse is not guaranteed beyond the end of the current financial year as the programs that fund these centres will be concluding at that point. These research centres play a vital role in resourcing practitioners and advocates across the womens sector in Australia and it is essential that they can continue to operate. Women and organisations are being asked to write urgent letters and emails to Senator Kay Patterson and the treasurer Peter Costello supporting the continued funding of these services.Email copies of your letters to the ADFVC, ACSSA and the federal Office for Women.

CAMPAIGN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS
Abortion Law Reform Rally and Campaign - Children by Choice is campaigning for the reform of QLDs outdated abortion laws. For details or to get involved, contact Cait on 3357 9933 or join Campaign Email List (campaign@childrenbychoice.org.au).

Pro-Choice Coalition e-List - a new coalition has formed in Victoria with a national e-list inviting participation by peak bodies, interested activists and reproductive rights advocates.
go to more info

CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT SAAP
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) is the major policy response of state and federal governments in Australia to homelessness. Women and children escaping domestic violence constitute one of the largest groups of Australians who rely on SAAP-funded services. State and federal governments are currently re-negotiating SAAP funding for the next 5 years. The federal governments offer to the states includes a requirement for a greater contribution by the states. The QLD government is reluctant to agree to this, which could result in a reduction of $4.9m per annum to SAAP services in the state. Shelter QLD is arguing that both the state and Commonwealth governments need to provide more funding to allow QLD to redress historic under-funding and enable the SAAP system to better address the high level of unmet need. Shelter is calling on the sector to campaign hard on this issue. It is developing a campaign kit that can be obtained by emailing Shelter. Other resources to help with lobbying can be downloaded from the AFHO web site.

MAY NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE: DV PREVENTION MONTH & AWARDS
This month long event in May is a joint initiative of the QLD Department of Communities and the Domestic and Family Violence Council. It aims to generate greater community awareness and understanding of the issue and to promote the services and resources available to victims and perpetrators. It is an important opportunity for women and womens services to raise the profile of this issue in the community, so start thinking about events to hold. The QLD Government will be presenting awards during the month recognizing and rewarding dedication in the field and best practice responses to domestic and family violence. Nominations for the awards close on 4th March. For more details contact Doc on 3224 4477

VIRTUAL RALLY FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Children by Choice will be holding a virtual rally for reproductive rights during March. Log on to www.childrenbychoice.org.au/rally and you can register your support. Sign the e-petition and enter the best ‘slogan for choice’ competition.

Tiddas Reference Group @ BRISSC
The Tiddas Group is for all women and children to take part in celebrations of our strong courage strengthening up.........moving on.
After a successful first event on Saturday 16th October, where Elders, aunts, mums and grannys and children listened to inspirational speakers, poetry, song&dance, and joined in the yarning up circle the feed back was the community needs and wants more opportunities to gather together. The Tiddas reference group will be holding regular events. Contact Ali J on 3391 0005 or 0404 141 022.

Womens House Library

New resource -
Surviving the Legal System:
A Handbook for Adult and Child Sexual Assault Survivors and Their Supporters
Dr S Caroline Taylor, 2004

This is a new handbook that provides
information about survivors rights in the legal system, information on reporting and
proceeding with the legal process, explanations of different courts as well as tips to help
prepare for the procedures, strategies and
tactics of defense barristers.

Or you can buy for $27.95 each, plus $5.00 Postage. To order, Contact Coulomb Communications enquires@coulomb.com.au or Phone: 03 9523 8091