Thursday, January 31, 2008
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
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
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
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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.
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
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
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
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
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.
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
• 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
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