Ongoing incidents of violence against women have prompted the Country Women’s Association of NSW to discuss the issue during 2024 Awareness Week, which is happening now.
The CWA of NSW says it has welcomed findings handed down late last month calling for stricter alcohol and gambling laws to help bring down rates of sexual, domestic and family violence.
The association has recently launched its annual Awareness Week campaign, this year highlighting the ongoing crisis around gender-based violence – including domestic and family violence, and also including violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners.
CWA of NSW President Joy Beames said they were keen to support the findings of an expert panel, convened by the federal government in May to conduct a ‘rapid review’ of how to best prevent violence against women and children. The panel was convened following an emergency meeting of National Cabinet, which was held in response to a spike in the number of women being killed.
At the end of August, the expert panel handed down its findings, among them a recommendation that ‘governments review and amend alcohol and gambling regulatory environments to prioritise the prevention of DFSV [domestic, family and sexual violence].’
This includes consideration of restrictions around the sale and advertising of alcohol, and gambling advertising. It also recommended funding more crisis accommodation.
Time to ramp up advocacy
It’s the second time in five years the association has focused its attention for Awareness Week on violence against women, with domestic and family violence chosen as the theme for the 2020 campaign.
CWA of NSW President Joy Beames said it had become clear this year that it was time to again ramp up the association’s advocacy efforts aimed at reducing rates of violence.
‘This year it seems like it’s just getting worse, with hardly a week going by when we’re not hearing about the senseless and brutal death of another Australian woman. As an organisation that represents more than 8000 women across NSW, we feel a responsibility to highlight this problem and the need for more resources and support that can finally turn the current direction of these terrible statistics around,’ said Ms Beames.
During 2024 Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is calling for:
- Further changes to the NSW bail act to better protect victims, particularly in rural and regional areas;
- Prioritisation of sustainable funding models for frontline victim support services – and services that target potential perpetrator risk factors such as drug, alcohol and gambling issues;
- The expediting of the establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share information on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions; and
- Additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities where isolation and lack of services can make it even harder for those looking for support and assistance.
The campaign call is in line with a motion than was unanimously endorsed by delegates at the association’s annual conference in Coffs Harbour in May.
Highest priority
‘We knew then this was an issue of the highest priority for our members, and we feel Awareness Week provides the perfect platform for broadcasting our demands for urgent change and reform,’ said Joy Beames.
She said the association was also keen to involve men, particularly the partners of members and other male family and friends, to reinforce the message that everyone must contribute to shifting and changing the aspects of our society and culture that lead to these incidents of violence.
‘Everyone must take action against violence when they see it, speak up on the use of violent or oppressive language or comments, understand the myths and bust them when they hear them, or when somebody or something is promoting them.
‘When men stand with women in denouncing the current rates of violence, we all benefit, most importantly our future generations,’ she said.
For this year’s campaign, the CWA of NSW is partnering with Domestic Violence NSW, the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW, and The Men’s Table, an Australian non-profit community organisation that provides opportunities for men to meet and discuss issues and challenges within their lives.
‘These organisations are both working incredibly hard to bring about positive change within our communities, acknowledging gender-based violence is a complex issue that will require a whole raft of strategies and initiatives to help turn it around,’ said Ms Beames.
Urgent need
Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, emphasised the urgent need to increase funding for victims and support services in non-metropolitan areas.
‘As always, the Country Women’s Association’s Awareness Week reflects the most pressing concerns for regional and rural communities. Domestic violence does not discriminate but insufficient funding for regional and rural services can isolate women and children seeking pathways to safety.
‘This is why we’re calling on the NSW government to increase baseline funding for specialist domestic and family violence services in regional, rural and remote areas by at least 50 per cent,’ she said.
‘The housing crisis also significantly impacts people experiencing violence. Federal and state governments have made significant commitments to building more social and affordable housing and transitional housing and it’s vital that non-metro areas are prioritised in building projects.’
Male perspective
David Pointon, from The Men’s Table, said positive male peer relationships were important for addressing violence against women and children.
‘The Men’s Table focus is on creating safe places for men to share and be vulnerable, and to forge meaningful social connection and a sense of belonging. These are protective factors against male suicide, isolation and loneliness, as well as against violence,’ said Mr Pointon.
‘We know from asking men, and also asking the women in their lives, that The Men’s Table creates benefits that ripple beyond the Table: improving relationships, men better able to listen and communicate, better able to understand and manage their emotions, and their stress.
‘Thirteen per cent of women surveyed told us they experience less dismissive and demeaning behaviour,’ he said, ‘and ten per cent less anger and violence from a man after he becomes a Table member.
‘The Men’s Table wants to see an end to violence of all kinds. Positive male peer relationships are a protective factor for reducing violence against women and children, according to the government’s national 10-year plan.’
State-wide effort
The CWA of NSW’s almost 400 branches will be holding their own events and activities during Awareness Week in September to bring the association’s urgent pleas for change to the attention of their local communities and policy-makers.
‘The CWA of NSW is a vocal advocate on so many matters related to health and safety, and the current rates of violence against women pose one of the greatest threats to the lives and wellbeing of females in NSW,’ said Joy Beames.
‘This is an issue we must continue to push forward on if we are to help make our communities safer for everyone, no matter their gender.’
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