White Ribbon Australia’s Post

May is Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month – a community and sector-led initiative which promotes a shared understanding of domestic and family violence (DFV) and coercive control. 💜 While we know that not all DFV is bound by gender, DFV does disproportionately affect women in Australia and our region: our regional Women's Health Snapshot demonstrates that rates of DVO breaches have risen to 16%. Across North Brisbane, 77% of DVOs are enacted to protect females and 85% of breaches are perpetrated by a male. 🤝 The Women's Health and Equality Queensland Queensland Equal and Together Alliance (QuETA) is a partnership of organisations, businesses and networks working to build respect and equity across workplaces and communities. Brisbane North PHN’s internal QuETA Working Group meets periodically to discuss strategies to promote equity within our organisation and broader region. 🖱 Read more from our QuETA Working Group this DFV Prevention Month on the PHN Talk blog: https://bit.ly/3R2wUQO.

A must read! 🌟 Learn more about Together for Girls ‘s strategic approach to ending violence against children and adolescents globally!

For International Women’s Day, we wanted to share some insights from our helpline about how women experience harm online. In the past year, women accounted for more than 70% of the reports we receive about online harassment - where the person harassing them was identified as someone known to the victim. If you are experiencing online harm you can make a report to us, or you can reach out to the following organisations for support: Shine - 0508 744 633 Rape Prevention Education - https://lnkd.in/gfyC2sHY National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 Shakti New Zealand - 0800 742 584 HELP Auckland - 0800 623 1700 #iwd2024

With 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experiencing sexual violence by age 15, an injection of $7.45 million in funds for a La Trobe-led initiative to pinpoint the most effective Australian prevention programs couldn't come at a more critical juncture. 'At the moment, we don’t really have any evidence-based interventions to prevent sexual violence,' said lead researcher Professor Leesa Hooker. 'Once this work is carried out, we will have a better evidence base about what works — this knowledge can then be used to inform the development of future interventions to reduce rates of sexual violence across Australia.' The project will underpin a more robust approach to preventing sexual violence, said Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, who announced the funding today. It's hoped that the research outcomes will have the potential to change community attitudes and behaviours around this insidious and devastating issue. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gy49Nh4H #latrobeuni #violenceprevention #socialpolicy

🌟 Our 2024-30 Strategy is here! 🌟 Learn more about our partnership’s approach to ending violence against children and adolescents through our 4 initiatives👇 📊 The VACS Data to Action process informs policy and programming to strengthen prevention, healing and justice for children worldwide. 💡 The Safe Futures Hub will showcase and share practice-based knowledge and evidence-led solutions to #EndSexualViolenceAgainstChildren.  #️⃣ Out of The Shadows, built on the original index developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), will highlight the advancements made by different countries to prevent sexual violence against children.  ✊ The Brave Movement campaigning to end childhood sexual violence, elevates the voices of survivor experts and builds political will to create a safer world - ensuring that inaction is not an option. 🔗 bit.ly/3Xxwsyh Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) WeProtect Global Alliance #ViolenceIsPreventable

Approximately 1 billion children around the world experience violence, facing consequences that last a lifetime, but we know we can create transformational change if we think strategically and act boldly. The Together for Girls partnership was built from the understanding that violence is preventable. Together, we can break cycles of violence and create a world where every child and adolescent is safe, protected and thriving. Read our new Strategy to learn more about our partnership’s approach to ending violence against children and adolescents. #ViolenceIsPreventable

New Study (!): Interventions that prevent or respond to intimate partner violence against women and violence against children: a systematic review. Key mechanisms for reducing both intimate partner violence & violence against children include: - improved communication - conflict resolution - reflection on harmful gender norms, and - awareness of the adverse consequences of IPV and VAC on children. The findings strengthen evidence in support of efforts to address IPV and VAC through coordinated prevention and response programmes.

We cannot talk about Sexual Violence Prevention Month without raising awareness and calling for action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. Realities of sexual violence today are directly linked to ongoing colonialism in Canada -- nearly 1 in 10 Indigenous women in Canada are victims of a violent crime. Since colonialism, racism, violence and sexual violence are so intertwined, it is key that support approaches recognize this and talk about it. 📌 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eyiKKAre

On Wednesday, Micaela Cronin tabled the First Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commission Yearly Report, marking a significant milestone in the 10-year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. This report underscores the urgent need to support resource-strapped services and engage men in all aspects of ending violence, including efforts to redefine masculinity. The sobering statistics shared by Micaela in her National Press Club address highlight the gravity of the situation: a shocking 11% increase in sexual violence in just the past year, with First Nations women 33 times more likely to be hospitalized and six times more likely to die. Alarmingly, 60% of LGBTQI+ individuals will experience family, domestic, or intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Additionally, the Australian Institute of Criminology reports a 28% increase in women killed by intimate partners over the last two years. Why is this important? These issues are not just critical in the broader community but are particularly pressing within the veteran community, where trauma, stress, and the impacts of service can exacerbate the risk of violence. We need to get better at talking to our men and listening to them. Men must be part of every aspect of ending violence, and this requires leadership from both men and women. Trauma-informed intervention options, better information sharing, and improved risk assessment and management are essential. Finally, prioritising data collection is crucial. We need accurate data to understand where services are needed, measure their effectiveness, and ensure we are truly making progress in ending gender-based violence. This is about ensuring safety, not just for women and children in the broader community but also for those within our veteran community who have given so much to our country. To watch the press club address visit: https://lnkd.in/ebmyCA5Z To view the report visit: https://lnkd.in/eB9yszEV #stoptheviolence #fdv #IPV #StoptheViolence #FDV #IPV #veteranfamilies #defencefamilies Micaela Cronin | Gwen Cherne

Prevention is critical in our fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Despite significant strides in nationwide initiatives, the reality of GBV in South Africa remains pervasive, affecting countless lives and communities. Our Empilweni! Thriving Communities Programme is dedicated to prevention through education and awareness. Each year, our GBV workshops reach hundreds of community members, shedding light on the root causes and dynamics of GBV. We emphasize the importance of challenging harmful gender norms and engaging men as allies in ending violence against women. Beyond prevention, we provide crucial support to survivors through our team of trained social workers. Our trauma-informed approach ensures survivors receive comprehensive assistance, including counselling, home visits, referrals, and safety planning. By offering a holistic support network, we empower individuals to break free from the cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives. Join us in our mission to create safer communities for all.  #EmpilweniPrevention #EndGBV