Current news covers ANROWS’s latest reports; as well as the NT Australian of the Year; additional Government initiatives to address violence against women; the Australian campus rape survey, and more.

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ANROWS in the news

How ‘Disney dads’ are making life hell for their partners
Sydney Morning Herald, 23/10/16
“An Australian Institute of Family Studies study into the effects of domestic violence on parenting found the “Disney Dad” phenomenon of men using money to buy their children’s allegiances while denying the mother funds was a common feature of these separations. The report, funded by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and due to be released before the end of the year, found that financial abuse is part of a “fairly severe” pattern of domestic violence and is used to control and trap victims (who are usually women). It includes scrutinising spending, not contributing adequately to household expenses and saddling victims with large debts.” 

Study confirms intimate partner violence leading health risk factor for women
The Conversation, 1/11/16
“A study being launched today by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety confirms the serious impacts of intimate partner violence. The analysis, undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, provides estimates of the impact of intimate partner violence on women’s health.”

Other Australian

Oxfam Straight Talk summit focus on domestic violence in indigenous communities
The Australian, 10/11/16
“Culture, family ties and welfare dependency have played a role in exacerbating the problem of domestic violence in Indigenous communities according to Aboriginal visiting Canberra this week.  Eighty Indigenous women from all over Australia visited Parliament yesterday as part of the Oxfam Straight Talk summit.”

NT Australian of the Year awards: Aboriginal leader Andrea Mason receives top honour
ABC News, 2/11/16
“Indigenous leader Andrea Mason, who leads an organisation giving a voice to 3000 women in a remote part of the Northern Territory, has been named the NT’s Australian of the Year.”

Universities Australia defends $1m donation to ‘independent’ campus rape survey
news.com.au, 2/11/16
“Survivors of sexual assault on Australian university campuses are insulted by a supposedly independent university rape survey they say is significantly compromised.”

Qld plan to change culture of violence
news.com.au, 2/11/16
“The Queensland government has announced a range of measures it hopes will help change the culture of violence against women. Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Shannon Fentiman launched the Queensland Violence Against Women Prevention Plan on Wednesday.”

It’s time to scrap the abstinence model of sext education
The Age, 2/11/16 (Comment by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen)
“Growing up in the age of the internet, I’ve never dated without mobile or digital technology, and online interactions have informed and shaped my sexual understanding as much as the physical has. So it makes complete sense to me that sex education in schools should now incorporate safe digital practices – and that doesn’t mean abstinence.”

College failed on girl’s welfare – parents
news.com.au, 2/11/16
“A Queensland mother was cleaning her house when she received a phone call: “Mum, I have been raped”.It was March 2006 and her 14-year-old daughter had recently started at Shalom Christian College, a boarding school in Townsville for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.”

The Melbourne Cup is a living nightmare for too many Australian women
Techly, 1/11/16
“On Melbourne Cup day, a horse will win, millions of Aussies will have a punt, and domestic violence rates will soar.”

Additional $25 million to tackle family violence in Indigenous communities
Department of Prime MInister and Cabinet, 28/10/16, Media release
“The Coalition Government has today announced a further $25 million investment in a range of measures to reduce the violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children … the issue of violence in Indigenous communities has been highlighted as a national priority under the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.”

‘Revenge porn’ complaints mechanism
Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner, 28/10/16, Media release
“The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner welcomes the Government’s announcement today for the Office to establish a national online complaints mechanism, to assist Australians to access tangible support when intimate images or videos are posted without their consent. The portal will be live in the first quarter of the next Financial Year 2017/18.”
 

International

Election empowers women to keep gender issues in limelight
Naperville Sun, 9/11/16
“Expect to see a lot more activism during Donald Trump‘s presidency from groups like the American Association of University Women and the National Organization for Women. For 2015-17, AAUW supports affirmative action to improve racial, ethnic, gender and cultural diversity and inclusion [which] includes full rights for women in equal pay and all aspects of access to health care and reproductive choice as well as fair and just path to legal status for immigrants.”

Stanford sexual assault survivor named Glamour ‘Woman of the Year’

Sydney Morning Herald, 3/11/16
“When Emily Doe first learned the vice president of the United States had written her a letter, she was lounging at her home… It had been two months since Brock Turner, was convicted of sexually assaulting her behind a campus dumpster while she was unconscious, and seven days since he’d been sentenced to just six months in jail and three years probation for the crime.”

Theresa May approves £20m funding boost for women’s refuges
The Guardian, 3/11/16
“Theresa May has approved a £20m funding boost for women’s refuges and new guidance that obliges councils to accommodate women from outside their local area who are fleeing violent partners.”

Bill Cosby too blind to defend himself in sexual assault case, lawyers argue
ABC News, 3/11/16
“Bill Cosby’s eyesight is so bad the actor cannot identify his accusers in photographs to help with his defence, his lawyers argued in an attempt to get the sexual assault case against the 79 year-old comedian thrown out.”

Domestic violence emerges as economic scourge and primary driver of homelessness
Crains New York, 26/10/16
“Violence in the home has cost more New Yorkers their homes this year than any other factor. It surpassed eviction as the top reason for shelter entrance in early 2016, according to Department of Homeless Services data