Transcript from AM on ABC Radio National

This transcript from AM is interesting for its suggestion that misogyny could be systemic in Austria and the ramifications that has. Please note my emphasis, not the transcripts, toward the end of the piece.

ABC RADIO PROGRAM “AM”
Friday, 2 May , 2008 08:03:00
Austrian captor may not have acted alone

Reporter: Rafael Epstein

PETER CAVE: In Austria, there are claims that the 73-year-old man who locked his daughter and their children in a cellar, may not have been acting alone.

A lodger who lived with the family for more than a decade says that he saw another man go downstairs to where the daughter, Elizabeth, was kept with some of the children she had after being raped by her father.

Europe correspondent, Rafael Epstein, reports.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: We now have more of an idea of the life led by the 73-year-old. Josef Fritzl's sister-in-law, Christine, says he used to go into the cellar of his house every morning promptly at nine o'clock. She told a newspaper this was supposedly for him to draw plans for machines, which he sold to firms as a retired engineer.

It seems his wife, Rosemarie, was warned away from the cellar. His sister says Rosemarie wasn't even allowed to take a coffee to him there, and claims Josef Fritzl constantly belittled his wife.
But it seems the 73-year-old may not have been working alone.

Alfred Dubanovsky lived with the family for 12 years.

ALFRED DUBANOVSKY (translated): Such a strange guy. None of the lodgers was allowed into the cellar or allowed to take any photographs of the garden area. He said the cellar was his private area. He didn't want anyone there.

Only he alone was allowed to go into the cellar. He went there almost every day. I thought it was a bit strange, but I didn't find it suspicious.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: He told the BBC he once saw someone else go down to the cellar - supposedly a plumber.

ALFRED DUBANOVSKY (translated): He didn't get many visitors. Sometimes relatives or friends would come to the house, but once Fritzl introduced me to a plumber and he was allowed to go down to the cellar.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: And he added a chilling observation about banging noises that he heard downstairs.

ALFRED DUBANOVSKY (translated): Right below my room, kind of banging, bashing, knocking noises. One time I asked Fritzl what it was. He told me it was coming from the gas heating down below.

One of the other lodgers said she saw food being taken down there to the cellar. I didn't see that, but I thought he must have been storing food there.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: The question keeps echoing across Europe: why this crime and why in Austria?

Newspapers in Europe point to World War II. Austria, they say, has always avoided examining its role, portraying itself for years as Hitler's first victim.

They didn't have a de-Nazification process like in Germany, they didn't like to confront the uncomfortable.

Its one thing coming from a journalist, quite another when it's echoed by Natascha Kampusch, the girl held for eight years in a cellar in similar circumstances.

NATASHA KAMPUSH (translated): I think this exists world-wide but I think it’s also a ramification of the Second World War. At the time of national socialism, the suppression of women was propagated and authoritarian education was very important.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Others also say that Austria is particularly prone to low level collusion and even corruption between police, judges and politicians at a regional level. Another factor perhaps that explains why the adoptions went ahead, why the 73-year-old’s criminal record was ignored and why Elizabeth's disappearance was never thoroughly investigated.

This is Rafael Epstein for AM.

Exploring the Use of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams

This document is from the the Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse and looks at domestic and family violence-related fatalities, searching for patterns and issues common among them.

To read the full report, go to:

http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/RTF%20Files/Issues%20Paper%2015.rtf

Devine, Miss M

Today's opinion piece by Miranda Devine in the Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/miranda-devine/parents-beware-the-cyrus-call/2008/04/30/1209234954723.html

Jusitice Access Research Alert - Extracts

JARA: Justice Access Research Alert, April 2008, No 23 Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
Welcome to the April 2008 issue of JARA, a free alert service for recent research in the area of access to justice and legal need.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Arresting practices: exploring issues of dual arrest for domestic violence, R Braaf & C Sneddon, Stakeholder Paper 3, Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, Sydney, 2007 (Australia, International, United States) http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Stakeholder%20paper_%203.pdf

This paper draws on Australian and international research to explore the issue of dual arrest for domestic violence, factors contributing to its occurrence, the implications for victims, and strategies employed to address this practice. Men’s and women’s use of violence in relationships is considered and the dynamic of control and fear explored. Reforms to policing policies and practices introduced in Australia and elsewhere are considered in terms of their ability to minimise the occurrence of dual arrest.

How the criminal justice system handles allegations of sexual abuse: a review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Seeking Justice report, Crime and Misconduct Commission Queensland, Brisbane, 2008 (Qld)http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/77815001205361682379.pdf

The Seeking Justice report is the result of an inquiry by the Queensland Crimes and Misconduct Commission into the handling of sexual offence allegations by the Queensland Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This review of the implementation of the recommendations drew on submissions and consultations with government and non-government stakeholders. The results show that good progress has been made in implementing most of the recommendations, particularly by the Queensland Police Service. However, the perceptions of some external stakeholders are that there has been less change in the investigation and prosecution practices of uniformed QPS officers, especially in non-metropolitan regions. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has implemented a number of the recommendations but there is still work to be done in this area.

Western Australian safety and accountability audit of the Armadale Domestic Violence Intervention Project, E Pence, S Mitchell & A Aoina, Department of Communities Western Australia, Perth, 2007 (WA) http://www.community.wa.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/9AB9DB57-3CA0-4E02-862A-48989D752444/0/DFCDOCSafetyandAccountabilityAuditReport2007.pdf

The Armadale Domestic Violence Intervention Project (ADVIP) is an interagency initiative in Western Australia to bring the criminal justice system, child protection agencies, and community-based advocacy organisations together to work collaboratively in cases of domestic abuse. This audit focuses on work practices to examine whether ADVIP is helping to keep women and children safe and hold offenders accountable for their violence and abuse. The audit team interviewed and observed practitioners, interviewed policy makers and victims, and analysed case management practices and case files. The audit concluded that ADVIP has the capacity to operate effectively; however, it falls short of its potential due to limited reporting processes, lack of coordination, lack of information sharing and documentation, lack of formalised agreements and lack of a full time coordinator. It found that interventions tend to hold victims of abuse responsible for offender behaviour in ways that undermine safety and accountability.

The scale and nature of family violence in New Zealand: a review and evaluation of knowledge, D Lievore, P Mayhew & E Mossman, New Zealand Ministry of Social Development, Wellington, 2007 (New Zealand)http://www.msd.govt.nz/work-areas/families-whanau/scale-and-nature-family-violence/index.html

This report provides a comprehensive review of research on the nature and scale of family violence in New Zealand, and assesses the quality of the research. Intimate partner violence, dating violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse and neglect, and sibling abuse are covered. As well as a literature review of published and unpublished research, administrative and service-based data were analysed. The report identifies the need for more research into elder abuse and neglect and violence in same-sex relationships.

Outside glass houses. Mapping the legal needs of women at risk of homelessness escaping family violence: a report to the Victoria Law Foundation, K Hilton & L Edwards, PILCH Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic, Public Interest Law Clearing House (Vic) Inc, Melbourne, 2007 (Vic)http://www.pilch.org.au/files/FQS625YOQV/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Report%20to%20the%20Victoria%20Law%20Foundation%20-%20Homeless%20Persons_%20Legal%20Clinic.pdf

The primary cause of homelessness for women is family violence. This report discusses the results of consultations with relevant service providers about legal issues faced by homeless women, gaps in services, and experiences in accessing services. The consultations identified six primary post-crisis legal issues that are common for women escaping family violence: mortgage and tenancy issues, relationship debt, Centrelink access, immigration, fines and discrimination. It was not always clear to the women or their support workers that these issues could have legal remedies and there was a lack of effective networks to connect women and their workers with legal services.
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Media Release from Tanya Plibersek

Please ignore the tautology in the bottom paragraph but relish the news the press release contains!

go to http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/Internet/tanyaplibersek.nsf/content/nat_stop_domes_voilence_day_26apr08.htm.htm

Family Breakdown and Mortgage Stress

There are increasing reports of households approaching NGOs because of problems keeping up with their mortgage. Many people in this situation do not know what they can do or where they can go for legal or financial help.
Two new brochures provide helpful information for people who are in trouble with their mortgage, from those who are in the process of being evicted from their homes to those who are just experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage payments. They explain what you can do about your situation, and provide information about where you can get help.
Problems paying your mortgage? Things you can do. (Information on where you can get legal and financial help).
They are trying to take my home. (Answers common questions about home repossession and what you can do).
You can either download the brochures or order printed copies (publications@legalaid.nsw.gov.au; T 9219 5028).
The brochures are part of an information kit. To get a copy of the full kit, or to find out where to get help, phone LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.
The brochures are produced by Legal Aid NSW, the Consumer Credit Legal Centre and LawAccess NSW.
Please circulate to your networks.

A Nice Set of Wheels!

http://www.ncdsv.org/publications_wheel.html

The link above takes the net surfer to a site which contains variations on the power and control wheel, including wheels for non-violence, Lesbian/Gay relationships, community accountability, children coping with family violence and abuse in later life.

An excellent resource for anyone interested.

Regards

Ruth

RSPCA launches 'ultra-violent' advertising campaign

The following article has a link to You Tube and the new RSPCA television advertisement which, while being very graphic, explains the link between childhood cruelty to animals and domestic violence perpetrators in later life.

The RSPCA now runs courses to show children respect for animals.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23546019-2,00.html

Updated program

North Coast Area Health Service
Domestic Violence Forum
Friday, 6 June 2008

Programme

9:00-9:45: Registration and morning tea
9:45-9:50 Welcome, Moderator Jan Strom
9:50-10:00 Welcome to Country TBA

10:00-11:00 Growing up with Fear - the developmental implications of exposure to trauma
Dr Louise Newman
Professor Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry,
Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle

11-11:40: Aboriginal women will tell you even less
Pam Greer, Aboriginal Consultant & Trainer on Aboriginal issues & brokerage for Aboriginal communities

11:40-12:20 'I cant do it anymore, I cant do this life'. Women, Domestic Violence and
Depression.
Cherie Toivonen
Senior Research AssociateSocial Work & Policy Studies Faculty of Education
and Social Work, University of Sydney

12:30-1:30 LUNCH

1.30-2.15pm “A life lived in fear is a life half lived” - How to use the legal
system to create the foundation for growth
Heather McKinnon
Family Law Solicitor
Practice Group Leader – Coffs Harbour

2:15-2:45 DV Helpline
Kylie Gilbert
Manager DV Help Line, Department of Community Services

3pm - 4pm Coordination of DV sector over the North Coast, Where to from here…
group discussion
with the loss of VAW positions, how will the north coast DV sector coordinate
prevention, early intervention strategies and improve service
responses for women who are experiencing, or have previously
experienced, domestic violence.
Explore opportunities for increased collaboration across sectors

4:00-4:30pm Wrap up and close of forum


Speaker Profiles

Professor Louise Newman
Louise Newman is Professor of Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry, Faculty of Health at the University of Newcastle. Her area of expertise is infancy and early childhood development. Professor Newman has provided consultation to the Family Court of Australia and the Children’s Court on child protection matters and has been a very strong advocate for the human rights of asylum seekers and particularly for children affected by the policy of mandatory detention.
Her research interests include undertaking research into the prevention of child maltreatment and interventions for parents who have experienced early abuse. Dr Newman’s current academic work is looking at early attachment relationships in infants up to three years of age and the importance of supporting parents with histories of trauma. She is involved in the development of services for high-risk infants and parents and directs an infant-parent psychotherapy programme for women at risk of child abuse.
Prior to studying medicine, Dr Newman completed undergraduate degrees in Psychology, Philosophy and Gender Studies and she has a longstanding commitment to the promotion of women’s mental health.

Pam Greer
Pam Greer has been a community worker, trainer and consultant since 1988, working in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. She has worked with several government departments including the Departments of Community Services, Police, Health and the Family Court on various projects for the Aboriginal community. Pam has been involved in child protection and domestic violence issues since 1989. She is a member of the Indigenous Women’s Committee through the Women’s Legal Centre.

Cherie Toivonen
Cherie Toivonen has worked both at the University of Sydney in the field of social research, as well as with various communities as a community development worker for the past 7 years. She has worked with migrant and refugee communities, women experiencing domestic violence, economically disadvantaged communities, and homeless persons. Cherie is currently the Senior Research Officer for the Towards Better Practice: Enhancing Collaboration between women’s domestic violence services and mental health services project, at the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney.

Heather McKinnon
Heather has been a legal practioner in Coffs Harbour for 25 years; she is an arbitrator under the Family Law Act and a credited family law specialist. Heather has been recently appointed as a practice group leader with Slater & Gordon, the first publicly listed law firm in the world. She has a keen interest in practice management and the education of lawyers.

Kylie Gilbert
Employed with DoCS for the past 6 years. Initially began as a child protection caseworker.Then became a Team Leader at DoCS Helpline for two years. Have been in my current position as Manager of DoCS DV Line since October 06 (however I am also responsible for 6 child protection teams at DoCS Child Protection Helpline in addition to DV Line)

Previous to DoCS, I was employed for several years at a non government organisation working with mothers and their children who had experienced Domestic Violence. This role included providing case management, advocacy and supported accommodation via refuge and medium term options for women and their children escaping DV.

Presentation will include:

• What is the Domestic Violence Line?
  How can the Domestic Violence Line support clients?
  General Statistics on Domestic Violence
  Who contacts the Domestic Violence Line?
  How do we help Victims?
  How do we assist professional agencies?
  Domestic Violence Line Assessment Procedures
  Refuge Referral Procedures
  Procedures for women in rural and remote communities
  Interagency Guidelines
  Interagency projects
  Ordering brochures
  
  
  Information for Attendees
  Date: Please note that the date of the Forum, 6 June 2008, is the Friday of the June long weekend. All efforts will be made to stick to the schedule to allow those traveling to leave before the ‘rush’.
  
  Accommodation: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort is offering the following deals for delegates wishing to stay over night for the forum
  Studio Hotel Room @$140 per room per night
  Paradise Spa Bure @$186 per bure per night
  Two Bed Spa Villa @$260 per villa per night
  All rates are based on room only.
  Should delegates wish to stay overnight, please contact the reservations team on 1800 226 852 and you will be entitled to the discounted rates.
  Further information on accommodation can be found at www.aanuka.com.au
  Please book accommodation early to avoid disappointment by contacting the reservations team directly.
  Directions: please see the following web sites for map locations for Aanuka Beach Resort. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=11+fireman+Drive&ie=UTF8&near=Coffs+Harbour+NSW&ll=-30.2723,153.1389&spn=0.008784,0.01296&z=16
  http://www.breakfreeaanukabeachresort.com.au/about-the-area/
  
  
  
  
  
  North Coast Area Health Service
  Domestic Violence Forum
  Friday, 6 June 2008
  Registration Form
  
  
  First name
  
  Surname
  
  Email Address
  
  Occupation
  
  Job Title
  
  Work Place Address
  
  
  Phone
  
  Mobile
  
  I agree to have my details added to the list for distribution to all attendees
  □ Yes
  □ No
  This is a free forum for workers in the area of domestic violence on the north coast
  Registrations Close 19 May 2008
  Please contact Leonie Short for further information if required on PH: 65882959
  Please return this form by FAX or e-mail to:Leonie Short, Women’s Health & DV Coordinator
  North Coast Area Health Service 6588-2880 (FAX) or Leonie.Short@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au Your registration will be confirmed when a completed form is received
  AHS Staff will also need to complete AHS course attendance form
  with management approval

North Coast Area Health Service Domestic Violence Forum

HAS SHE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING?

A one day forum for anyone working with victims of
Domestic Violence.

Friday 6 June 2008
Aanuka Beach Resort
Coffs Harbour

Speakers include:
Prof. Louise Newman, University of Newcastle
Pam Greer, Aboriginal Consultant &Trainer
Cherie Toivonen, University of Sydney
Heather McKinnon, Family Law Solicitor
Kylie Gilbert, DoCS DV Help Line

For further information, please contact Leonie Short on 6588-2959 or
Leonie.Short@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Proudly presented by North Coast Area Health Service.

Australia Talks, ABC Radio National, 10 March 2008

Dispelling the myths of domestic violence

Most people tend to think of domestic violence as something that happens between men and women, with the former the aggressor and women and children the victims. But figures from earlier this year showed that the number of women accused of being violent to their partner had risen by 25 percent over the past five years. And a recent national study of abuse among same sex relationships showed that 32 percent of those surveyed had experienced violence and abuse. So are women really becoming more violent? How many men and women are victims of domestic violence in same sex relationships?

This episode is now available for download from the Radio National web site (www.abc.net.au/rn).

Second article from Sun-Herald - Introduction of new laws in force

TOUGH domestic violence laws came into force in NSW to coincide with International Women's Day yesterday.

Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said the changes meant perpetrators would have the words "domestic violence" recorded next to the name of an offence such as assault.

"Cowards who abuse and attack their own family members will, from this day forward, have a black mark against their name," he said.

"Should a transgression occur, those people will be able to be dealt with on the basis that they have a history of a specific domestic violence offence as opposed to a generic offence. The next time they come before a judge or magistrate, the fact they had already committed the despicable act of domestic violence will be abundantly clear."

Police would be given special kits containing digital cameras to assist their investigations, and apprehended violence orders would automatically extend to children, he said.

Two articles in yesterday's Sun-Herald

Caroline MarcusMarch 9, 2008
ONE in three women delays leaving an abusive relationship for fear her pet will be harmed, research has found. And, in more than half of the cases where women are abused, pets are also attacked.

The Relationship Between Family Violence And Animal Abuse: An Australian Study is the first research of its kind in this country and will be published this year.

Monash University researchers interviewed 102 women with a history of family violence and a control group of 102 women with no history of violence.

They found a pet cockatiel was beheaded because it had been "singing too much", a cat was hung by a leash like a noose and pets were shot, stabbed, kicked and thrown.

Co-author and psychology department associate professor Eleonora Gullone said actual or threatened harm to pets was one of the tools abusive partners used to keep women in the relationship.

"One of the concerns is that women stay in the violent situation longer, endangering themselves and their children, because they are afraid to leave the pets," Ms Gullone said.

The study found that 53 per cent of women in violent relationships reported their pets had also been abused. Only 6 per cent of the sample group had pets who were harmed and, in most of those cases, the harm was accidental.

The study found that 33 per cent of women had delayed leaving the relationship by up to eight weeks out of concern for the welfare of their pets.

Pets, including fish, birds and farm animals, and in some instances, multiple pets, were killed in 17 per cent of households where there is family violence. No pets had been killed in the control group.

Children were witness to the abuse in 29 per cent of cases, leading to concerns that they had an increased likelihood of growing up to be abusive adults.

The research recommended that the public be made aware that, in instances of pet abuse, there was a likelihood that humans in the household were also being abused and neighbours should be alert.

RSPCA NSW relaunched its Safe Beds for Pets program yesterday. It will take care of pets for as long as necessary, making the step of leaving an abusive relationship easier.

The program was introduced in 2004 in conjunction with the St George Domestic Violence Counselling Service, and was last week rolled out to the Central Coast.

Cases of pet abuse seen by vets in NSW include a dog, which had a broken leg after being thrown off a balcony. In another example, a Hunter Valley social worker reported that a woman's partner would hold the family dog to the phone, doing things to the animal to make it whimper, in a bid to manipulate the woman into returning to the relationship.

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the gains women have made over the years and to bring our attention to the issues that still face us. Most of all, it's a day to recognise that we, as women, have made and continue to make a difference. A day to celebrate women's contribution to making Australia and the world a better place for everyone.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March each year. Activities and celebrations extend over a week, across the state.
A calendar of events taking place throughout NSW to celebrate International Women's Day is available on the NSW Office for Women website (www.women.nsw.gov.au).

Four Corners Program

“CHANGING MEN” – 4 CORNERS, MONDAY 25th FEBRUARY

How do we stop violent men hurting women? Must women flee to be safe? Four Corners follows three men over six months to see if voluntary programs can change their behaviour - and save their marriages…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“You sort of go to hell in fractions of an inch” – Alex on his descent into violence

“You can’t do this to me, you can’t throw things at me, you can’t push me, you can’t hit me, you can’t drive the car off the road and threaten to kill me any more” – Krissy stands her ground

One in five Australian women – perhaps your workmate, or your neighbour or your friend – knows the humiliation and terror of domestic violence.

And every five days, on average, a woman is killed by her partner.

Jailing the man is the only response to the most vicious cases. Frequently a woman’s only option is to remove herself and her children from the abuser.

But is there another way to tackle domestic violence? Is it possible for violent men to unlearn their behaviour?

Across Australia hundreds of men are now fronting new voluntary programs which are claiming modest success in changing their ways. The men are challenged to own up to their violence and its dire impact on their families, then to find better ways to communicate and modify their controlling behaviour.

Four Corners films three men – each at a different stage on the scale of abuse – over six months as they enter voluntary programs in a bid to remake themselves and save their relationships…

- Father of two Andrew had never hit his wife Roxanne but it was just a matter of time. He obsessively controlled the minutiae of her life – who she saw, what she wore, what she spent. “He wouldn’t let me out of the house and it got really scary,” says Roxanne, who never quite managed to leave. But it was trouble at work, not at home, that finally spurred him to seek help.

- Adam joined the same men’s group as Andrew. He is a successful businessman with a long history of physical violence, especially against partner Krissy. It started with his emotional control and her growing isolation. He punched and kicked her and threw things at her, knocking her unconscious. He flew into a frenzy of rage, trying to choke her after he found a leftover chip packet on the couch.

- Alex is a 120-kilogram former blacksmith with a mind as intimidating as his physique. When his wife Margaret was eight and a half months pregnant he hit her with a winch handle. He doesn’t remember giving her a black eye to take to her father’s funeral. Eventually she left with their young son. Alex now wants to change himself - and win them back.

As Four Corners discovers, the three men fare very differently after they sign up to their behaviour change programs.

While these voluntary programs generally claim to help men who really want to change themselves, surprisingly no one has bothered to measure their efficacy as a weapon against the scourge of domestic violence.

“Changing Men”, Janine Cohen’s exploration of the power trips and pathology of domestic violence, airs on Four Corners at 8.30 pm Monday 25 February 2008 (repeated about 11.35 pm Tuesday 26 February; also on ABC2 at 7 am Tuesday).

After Wednesday 20th a video preview will be available on the Four Corners website.
Four Corners web address: www.abc.net.au/4corners

Violence and Alcohol Availability

Study links violence increase with increased liquor stores

AM - Friday, 15 February , 2008 08:25:00
Reporter: David Weber
TONY EASTLEY: New research shows a strong correlation between an increase in liquor outlets and alcohol-related violence, but the surprising finding is that most of that violence is happening in peoples’ homes, and not in pubs and clubs.The National Drug Research Institute says it’s developed a new model to predict the social impacts of any new liquor outlets, anywhere. David Weber reports from Perth.
DAVID WEBER: Dr Tanya Chikritzhs says the fact that most alcohol-related violence is happening in homes was not surprising to her, but the magnitude was.
TANYA CHIKRITZHS: Whether it’s purchased at a hotel or a tavern and drunk at the time, and the person goes home drunk or whether it’s takeaways bought from the liquor store, the majority of the violence is actually occurring in domestic settings. What’s probably more disturbing than that really is that the data we’re talking about are just stuff that comes to police attention, stuff that’s reported to officials.You know, if you consider that that’s the minority, maybe one in 10 of all domestic violence incidents that occur that might involve alcohol, we’re talking about the tip of the iceberg here.
DAVID WEBER: The study found that if there were to be another hotel in metropolitan Perth, the number of domestic violence assaults would go up by 17 a year. The study says that if a new liquor store started up in the Wheatbelt region, domestic assaults would increase by 29 each year. Dr Chikritzhs:
TANYA CHIKRITZHS: It does seem to be a greater, a stronger relationship between availability of alcohol and problems, particularly in relation to assault in non-metropolitan areas. The Wheatbelt is an area that really stands out for us in WA. You know, compared to say, the metropolitan area.
DAVID WEBER: With alcohol-related violence, a lot of the studies tend to show up that Indigenous people are affected. Are the results in this study skewed because of that?
TANYA CHIKRITZHS: Well, I mean it’s a very good question because it’s quite a well-known problem among Indigenous communities, harmful use of alcohol. What this study has done has accepted that that is a reality and taken that on board as part of the model-building process.But just like to make the point that alcohol-related harm is not only an Indigenous problem. You know, for just in the Northern Territory for instance, if you took all Indigenous drinking out of the Northern Territory, the levels of problems in the Territory would still be 50 per cent higher than the national average.
DAVID WEBER: In an attempt to combat the perception that Perth is a boring city, the West Australian Government has been encouraging the establishment of wine bars.But in Victoria, deregulation of liquor licensing has coincided with a drastic increase in the rate of alcohol-related harm. The rate’s increasing at three-times the national average.Dr Tanya Chikritzhs says WA needs to take care when pushing for more wine bars.
TANYA CHIKRITZHS: If a wine bar is a restaurant that doesn’t have to sell food, it’s nothing … not much more than a hotel or a tavern. So that’s what we could be seeing is the proliferation, essentially, of small hotels and taverns. You can’t get around the fact that increased alcohol availability leads to increased consumption, leads to increased alcohol-related harm, and that’s the bottom line.
TONY EASTLEY: Dr Tanya Chikritzhs of the National Drug Research Institute, speaking with our reporter, David Weber, in Perth.

History of White Ribbon Day

The following is taken from "Victims of abuse: When enough is enough" by Sarah Winton (www.helium.com)

"The Montreal Massacre of 6 December 1989 lasted only twenty minutes but the gunman, Marc Lepine took the lives of 14 women and wounded 13 other students of both genders. The killer's reasoning? His rampage was born out of anti-feminist beliefs. He intended his killing spree to be a political statement that would resound around the world; he also wanted women to be scared back into their traditional roles in the hearth and home.

"In 1999 a handful of Canadian men decided to create the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC), the "largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women." These few Canadian men decided that we have a responsibility to urge men to speak out against violence against women. The wearing of the white ribbon is a symbol of male opposition to male violence against women. "Wearing a white ribbon is a pledge neer to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women." (www.whiteribbon.ca)

"The white ribbon is worn for one or two weeks starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women". The goals of the WRC are to encourage discussion that leads to personal and collective action among men in the fight against violence against women."

Coordinating NSW Government Action Against Domestic and Family Violence

On Friday 1 February 2008, the NSW Government released the final report of the review of the strategy for prevention of violence against women. The report is called "Co-ordinating NSW Government Action Against Domestic and Family Violence" and can be found on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website - www.dpc.nsw.gov.au.

In short, the NSW Government remains firmly committed to addressing violence against women. While the strategy as we know it to date has changed, the priority given to the issue by placing a co-ordination unit with in the Department of Premier and Cabinet has been viewed as a very positive step.

National Clearing House on Family Violence E-Bulletin

NCFV E-Bulletin - January 2008
Family Violence and Homelessness

The latest and very informative e-bulletin from the National Clearing House on Family Violence is available by following this link: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/e-bulletin/e-fbulletin-January-2008_e.html

Crime reports released by BOCSAR

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has recently introduced a new series of Local Government Area crime reports.

The reports are designed to assist the Crime Prevention Division, Local Governments and communities in planning crime prevention initiatives.

Each Local Government Area crime report contains maps showing the location of all the major crime hotspots. It will also contain graphs indicating what times of the day, days of the week and months of the year, crime rates in the area tend to peak.

The crime hotspots are presented in a way that helps the crime prevention planning process while at the same time protecting the privacy of crime victims.

Recently, crime reports for Taree and Nambucca were released and can be found at http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar

2007's 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women - Activities on the Mid North Coast

The following is a brief summary of the highlights of 16 Days for 2007 on the Mid North Coast.

Reclaim the Night
Reclaim the Night has been an important way of raising the issue of Women’s issues of safety. This year, Port Macquarie-Hastings held a ‘stationary’ indoor event which was just as well as it was one of the wettest nights in months. They presented “Fresh Water”, a young Aboriginal female vocal group who performed at night and gave a workshop for high school age students during the day. Combined with the evening performance was the first NSW screening of “SHAME”, a film about Mukhtaran Mai, a Pakistani woman who was gang raped and fought for justice through the Courts.

Month Long Activities
Gloucester and Taree and Nambucca Valley proudly displayed banners in their main street or entrance to towns stating that theirs was an area against Domestic Violence. These banners of course can be used in future to remind people that DV is not welcome in the community.

Additionally, for the next 12 months, Taree will display a billboard, which clearly displays the message that DV is a crime. The billboard is on the northern side of Taree and can be seen by all south bound traffic which, given the busy Christmas period, will be a considerable number of people.

For most of November there was a fine display of original artwork from the Love Bites program in the Port Macquarie Library. The artworks were created by Port Macquarie high schools students who participated in Love Bites in recent years.

Port Macquarie DV Monitoring Committee also launched their new website – www.dvportmacquarie.org.au. An important feature of the website is that it provides a link to another site which tells visitors how to “cover their tracks”, i.e. remove the trace to the website from the computer. I wholeheartedly commend this site to you.

Gloucester
In addition to the colourful flags in the main street, Gloucester’s small but enthusiastic Committee combined with the Quota Club of Gloucester to have a stall in the street to provide brochures and information about DV and violence against women.

Taree
Greater Taree City Council received funding from the Attorney General’s Department to address the issues of Domestic Violence in the community as raised in its Crime Prevention Plan. With the funds they were able to get the billboard and put up flags in Victoria Street, as mentioned earlier, but the main event was a community day in Fotheringham’s Park. The activities for the day included a free sausage sizzle, jumping castles, clowns and entertainers, face painting, dancing and information booths. The event was very well attended and over 400 information packs were distributed on the day. (More information on this event and others is contained in the blog below "Manning says "NO" to Domestic Violence".)

Kempsey
The Big White Ribbon made another re-appearance, this year introducing his friend the smaller white ribbon. Two workers from the Many Rivers Family Violence Legal Service dressed themselves in the big white ribbons and distributed smaller versions to people in the street of Kempsey on Friday 23 November. Kempsey DV Monitoring Committee also had a screening of “WOW” – the Women on Wheels film festival.

Coffs Harbour
A White Ribbon Day lunch was held at the Indigenous Coordination Centre. Guest speakers on the day were representatives from the local Women’s Refuge and the local Sexual Assault counsellor.

Making Messages
In conjunction with North Coast Area Health Service, Hastings Women’s and Children’s Refuge and Warrina WCR, an extremely successful three day camp was held at Scott’s Head. Called "Making Messages", the camp brought together Aboriginal Women who have suffered DV and allowed them to learn new art and craft techniques to help express themselves. This year the women learned to paint silk scarves with patterns of their own design and to make clay masks under professional tutorship. Tai Chi, nutrition lessons, beach walks and swimming were also on the schedule. The artworks produced will be used, with permission, on future material produced by the services involved.

Little Black Book - for strong, black women

The VAW Unit recently re-printed the very popular Little Black Book for Strong, Black Women - a perpetual diary created to provide Aboriginal and Torres Streit Islander women, from age 13, with information about domestic and family violence and sexual assault.

The books have been distributed throughout the Mid North Coast but further copies are still available by contacting me on 6563-7816.

If you have used the book through the course of your work, it would be great to share your comments and experiences here at the MNCVAW blog site. You can either submit the comment yourself or send it to me at ruth.edwards@community.nsw.gov.au for posting.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Regards

Ruth Edwards
MNC VAW

Domestic violence laws passed by Parliament

Wednesday, 05 December 2007

Offenders who are found guilty of domestic violence will for the first time have the shameful offence recorded
permanently against their name, after new laws were passed by Parliament, NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos
said today.

"Currently, when offences of violence, such as common assault, are recorded it doesn't specify if the crime was
committed in a domestic situation, which can make it difficult to track habitual offenders," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Being convicted of the new offence of domestic violence would leave a permanent stain on a person's record and would
be taken into consideration by the courts during sentencing."

Other changes to domestic violence laws include:
· Making it easier for police to obtain interim AVOs by allowing them to get them via fax and email as well as by phone

· Allowing police to search for a greater range of potential weapons at a premises where a domestic violence offence has
occurred

· Giving police the power to demand the name of a person suspected of being the subject of an AVO

Mr Hatzistergos said the reforms would also ensure children of domestic violence victims were better protected.

"Previously, when a victim of domestic violence took out an AVO, children weren't necessarily included.

"Under these changes there will be a presumption that children will be included on the victim's AVO unless the court
decides there are good reasons for them not to be."

The changes also mean that any victim whose alleged attacker is charged with serious personal violence offences will
automatically be protected by an AVO until the matter is resolved in court.

"The Iemma Government made an election promise to address the scourge of domestic violence and these reforms will
help make NSW homes safer," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Source: Lawlink NSW

Manning Valley Says “NO” to Domestic Violence

Recently, Greater Taree City Council organised for a large billboard to be placed on the highway just north of Taree. Consequently, many people approaching the town from the north will have seen the bold plea to “Stop Domestic Violence in the Manning”.

In addition, a family day of activity and fun was held in Fotheringham’s Park in November where members of the public were treated to a free sausage sizzle, jumping castles, entertainment and access to information on family violence, assistance and support. Everyone present received a show bag full of goodies promoting the anti-violence theme, such as lollipops saying “violence sucks”, balloons with the message that “domestic violence hurts kids too” and mints in containers shaped as houses with the words “Happy Houses are Violence Free”.

Lollipops, breath mints, balloons and billboards. Gimmicks? Maybe, but all these methods enable the message that domestic violence is not acceptable anywhere to reach a broad audience. Appealing to children through the balloons and other items helps to reinforce this message in the hope that they will not perpetrate violence in later years.

Funding from the NSW Attorney-General’s Department enabled Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) to undertake initiatives such as the fun day and billboard and others to be rolled out over the next few months. Council’s Crime Prevention Plan recognises that domestic violence is an issue within the community. In fact, GTCC ranks second only to Kempsey in recorded Domestic Violence related assaults in the Mid North Coast.

Domestic Violence (DV) takes on many forms. What we hear on the news or read in the newspapers are the extreme cases. For instance, over the Christmas/New Year period alone there were four major cases reported in the news. One was of a man allegedly running over his girlfriend, another of a father allegedly strangling his daughter then killing himself, the third of a father allegedly raping his underage daughter then killing her and the fourth of a mother and son, allegedly hacking to death the mother’s ex de-facto.

However, DV is more than just physical abuse and so the recorded statistics are generally just an indication of the extent of the problem within our society.

Domestic Violence can take many forms: “physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour” is one definition .

The NSW Government recently introduced new legislation – the “Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007” in which Parliament formally recognised that ‘domestic violence, in all its forms, is unacceptable behaviour”, that “domestic violence occurs in all sectors of the community” and that “domestic violence extends beyond physical violence and may involve the exploitation of power imbalances and patterns of abuse over many years”. It also importantly recognises the “vulnerable position of children who are exposed to DV as victims or witnesses”. By removing the section involving domestic violence from the larger Crimes Act and creating its own legislation, the NSW Government has placed greater emphasis on domestic violence as a major issue for NSW.

So what can the people of Taree do who experience or know of people experiencing any form of Domestic Violence?

Through the greater awareness made of the issue of DV, it is important that those affected seek help. There are a number of ways available for all people to do this.

• Domestic Violence Help Line = 1800 656 463
• Domestic Violence Advocacy Service Advice Line = 1800 810 784
• DoCS Helpline (to report child abuse and neglect) = 13 21 11
• Contact Taree Police Station on 6552 0399.

The important thing for all to remember is that domestic violence in all of its forms is unacceptable. Congratulations to the Greater Taree City Council for undertaking this work to get this message out to the broader community. Manning residents are also well served by the Manning District Emergency Accommodation Service (who run Lyn’s Place Women’s and Children’s Refuge), the Taree Women’s DV Court Assistance Scheme, the sexual assault councillors at Community Health, and the Police/Women’s Refuge Partnership project.

LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY LAWACCESS NSW AND LEGAL AID NSW TO CLIENTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MATTERS

LawAccess NSW LawAccess NSW is a free telephone service that provides legal information, advice and referrals for people who have a legal problem in NSW. It is increasingly being used by public legal services as a first port of call for legal information, advice and referral, and essentially acts as a legal ‘triage’. LawAccess NSW’s Officers:
• Provide legal information to assist callers with a legal problem
• Will arrange for one of our Legal Officers to provide the caller with legal advice over the phone if they meet their guidelines
• Refer the caller to another legal or related service that is best able to help them
• Send them information that can help the caller with their legal problem
• Discuss their eligibility for Legal Aid and help them make an application for Legal Aid
LawAccess NSW provides priority assistance to callers who are at risk of harm, such as victims of domestic violence or people threatening self-harm and to people:
• In regional or rural NSW
• Who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Who have a disability
• Are from a non-English speaking background
LawAccess NSW is currently considering ways in which it can enhance its services to victims and defendants in domestic violence matters and is discussing a range of ideas with Legal Aid NSW for possible implementation early next year.
Legal Aid NSW services
In addition to its criminal law practice, Legal Aid NSW has family law and civil law practices at both pilot locations which can provide assistance to victims and defendants with legal issues arising from DVICM interventions and so assist the pilot to meet its intended outcomes of integrated support and enhanced victim safety.
The Family Law Program for example, provides advice, representation and duty solicitor services in family law matters including parenting order, care and protection and child support matters as well as de facto relationships and property matters. In addition, the Program delivers a range of community legal education services, including divorce classes at Head Office and in most regional offices.
The Civil Law Program provides advice and representation in a broad range of civil law problems such as credit and debt, victims’ compensation, housing, migration and social security.
The Criminal Law Program provides advice and in some cases, representation to both complainants and defendants in apprehended domestic violence proceedings. Where there is an associated charge, representation will be provided to the defendant subject to eligibility pursuant to relevant legal aid policies.
Copies of relevant Legal Aid policies can be accessed from: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=746