United against gender-based violence

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The artwork was designed by Molly Hunt for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)

The United Nations International campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence occurs annually from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day). The global theme this year is ‘UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls’ and calls for a world free from gender-based violence.

In Australia, one in three women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence, with the rates of violence even higher for certain groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. However, a person of any gender, in any domestic or family relationship, can be a target or perpetrator of domestic or family violence. Domestic and family violence is conduct that is violent, threatening, coercive, controlling or intended to cause the family or household member to be fearful. Domestic and family violence can also occur online.

Professor Bronwyn Carlson is Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies, Director of the Centre for Global Indigenous Futures and Deputy Director Indigenous for the newly-funded Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). She is also a Member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence. This council will inform the Australian Government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022 -2032.

“The elimination of gender-based violence is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The ARC Centre for the Elimination of Violence Against Women will focus on examining the structural drivers that cause violence against women and pioneering new evidence-based approaches to radically improve policy and practice across Australia and the Indo-Pacific,” says Professor Carlson.

 “The CEVAW also includes an Indigenous-centred approach and will work closely with practitioners and Indigenous leadership to build a community of theory and practice to test fundamental theory, co-design and scale up elimination strategies.”

Macquarie University is committed to providing a safe and respectful working environment where staff are treated with respect, compassion, and confidentiality when they disclose personal experiences of domestic and family violence. There are a range of measures available to support staff who are affected by domestic and family violence.

  • Permanent staff can access to up to 20 days of paid Domestic and Family Violence Leave to attend medical appointments, organise alternative accommodation, care and/or education arrangements and access legal advice.
  • Casual staff members can access up to five days of unpaid Domestic and Family Violence Leave.
  • Flexible working arrangements are available for domestic and family violence-related reasons, including changes to hours of work, work relocations and changes to university contact details such as phone numbers and email addresses.
  • Professional, confidential counselling support is available through the Employee assistance program.
  • Assistance with workplace risk assessment and safety planning is available.

The University has a dedicated domestic and family violence webpage, which provides information on support for staff and the external services available. The site includes information to support managers and colleagues of staff experiencing domestic and family violence, such as recognising the signs and referring the staff member for support. Response Guidelines for Managers and HR representatives are also available.

If you or someone you know is experiencing Domestic and family violence, support is available from 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, by visiting 1800respect.org.au or speaking with Macquarie’s EAP provider on 1300 360 364.

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