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
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Updated program
North Coast Area Health Service
Domestic Violence Forum
Friday, 6 June 2008
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
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.
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.
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
Friday, April 4, 2008
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.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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).
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).
Monday, March 10, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Monday, March 3, 2008
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).
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).
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