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Tag: Violence Prevention

  • #WhatWomensServicesNeed: 2024 ACT Election Platform

    #WhatWomensServicesNeed: 2024 ACT Election Platform

    Women with Disabilities ACT has come together with Women’s Health Matters and other ACT women’s services to show our joint election priorities.

    In a city like Canberra, everyone should be safe from violence, have access to health services, and supportive and equitable jobs and communities.

    While there have been steps in the right direction, slow action on domestic, family and sexual violence and women’s health and wellbeing and an under-resourced and overwhelmed women’s sector means that gender equity is still out of reach for ACT women.

    Canberra women services need better. This election, ACT women’s services across the sector call for action from the future Government to:

    📣Prioritise ending domestic, family and sexual violence

    📣Recognise and resource specialist approaches to end sexual violence

    📣Promote women’s health and wellbeing

    📣Resource women’s policy

    📣Value women’s work.

    You can read our joint platform below.

    Joint Women’s ACT Election PlatformDownload

    Authorised by Kat Reed for Women with Disabilities ACT

  • Joint Statement: On the rights of people with disability in Gaza

    Joint Statement: On the rights of people with disability in Gaza

    Women with Disabilities ACT has signed a joint statement with Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). We are deeply concerned about the events we are witnessing in Gaza and other conflict-affected areas across the world. 

    We are also concerned about the experiences of people with disabilities in Gaza, who are disproportionately impacted by the sustained and escalating violence, attacks and hostilities. 

    The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, has concluded that there are ‘reasonable grounds to believe the threshold indicating Israel’s commission of genocide is met’. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has also expressed particular concern about the situation of people with disabilities in Gaza. 

    We strongly condemn any act of genocide or violence. As the Disabled People’s Organisation for women, girls and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilities in Australia, we stand in solidarity with people with disabilities in Palestine. As transnational human rights organisations, our concerns are not limited to Australian borders.

    We are deeply concerned about the safety, rights, and wellbeing of people with disabilities who are at far greater risk of death and injury in situations of violence, conflict and crisis. We are horrified and devastated by the reports of death and injury that we are witnessing. 

    We are also deeply concerned about those who have acquired impairments as a direct result of armed attacks and sustained violent conditions, and are being denied critical care, services and support. 

    In situations of violence, conflict and crisis, the systemic inequalities that women, girls and gender diverse people with disabilities face are exacerbated, resulting in significant human rights violations. 

    Women, girls and gender diverse people experience: 

    • Increased risk of violence and exploitation: Women, girls and gender diverse people with disabilities are at disproportionate risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation in conflict zones and in refuges. Sexual violence is a grave concern, and many survivors are unable to access support or necessary medical and psychological care.
    • Barriers to humanitarian aid, information and services: Access to humanitarian aid, information and essential services, such as healthcare, safe pregnancy and birthing, medication, education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology, is often restricted for women, girls and gender diverse people with disabilities. Physical, attitudinal, and communication barriers prevent them from receiving adequate support, assistance and evacuation warnings. In Palestine, access to humanitarian aid is severely restricted and humanitarian workers face grave risk. 
    • Displacement and loss of support networks: Violence, conflict and crisis often lead to displacement or abandonment, further isolating women, girls and gender diverse people with disabilities from their support networks and assistive devices. Displacement camps and temporary shelters frequently lack the necessary accommodations to meet their needs, including access to privacy, water, sanitation and menstrual hygiene products.

    We echo the calls of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the cessation of attacks and violence in Palestine; access to humanitarian aid; and disability-responsive humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts. We call on the international community, governments, and humanitarian organisations to take immediate action to ensure the health and safety of all civilians in Palestine, including people with disabilities. 

    We believe that the rights of women, girls and gender diverse people with disabilities in conflict-affected areas must be a priority in all humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts. Addressing their specific needs and ensuring their inclusion and participation is a critical component of effective and sustainable conflict resolution and recovery. 

    This includes ensuring:

    • an immediate and permanent ceasefire;
    • an immediate end to funding and supply of weapons to facilitate violence;
    • safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for all;
    • safe visa pathways to flee from persecution for all;
    • adequate and accessible communications;
    • safe and accessible evacuation routes and locations;
    • recognition of additional barriers faced by persons with disabilities;
    • culturally safe, trauma-informed and gender-responsive services and supports are available for all;
    • measures to ensure full access to all basic needs;
    • consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations;
    • direct support for local disability and humanitarian organisations; and
    • uphold the right to assemble peacefully and make special protections to ensure people can advocate for justice, safety and freedom without any fear.

    WWDA and NEDA acknowledge the delay in responding to the injustices against people with disabilities in Palestine. We deeply regret any harm our inaction may have caused.

    This statement has been endorsed by: 

    • Women with Disabilities Australia
    • National Ethnic Disability Australia
    • Community Mental Health Australia 
    • Disability Advocacy Network Australia 
    • Down Syndrome Australia 
    • Women with Disabilities ACT
    • People with Disability Australia 

  • Submission to the ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy

    Women with Disabilities ACT has joined forces with a number of other organisations in the women’s* sector making a substantial submission to the draft ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy. We called on the ACT Government to reopen a more meaningful and targeted engagement process with victim survivors, to commit to more ambitious and detailed priorities, and to show a deeper understanding of intersectionality and violence.

    WWDACT also made our own submission highlighting the need for women* with disabilities to be meaningfully included in the development of the Strategy and the actions and activities that will be funded by it.

    You can read both submissions below.

    DFSV-Strategy-joint-submissionDownload
    WWDACT-DFVS-Strategy-SubmissionDownload

  • Submission to the Changing the Children and Young People Act 2008 – Stage 2 Consultation

    Women with Disabilities ACT has made a submission to the consultation process around the Changing the Children and Young People Act 2008 (Stage 2).

    In the submission we have highlighted the following recommendations:

    • Consider the proposed legislation reforms through the lens of family and domestic violence, considering how existing frameworks could be exploited by perpetrators, and strengthening or clarifying definitions of violence if required.
    • Recognise that there are societal and institutional biases against parents with disabilities, and consider how principles such as the ‘best interests principle’ might be misapplied due to assumptions about capacity of parents with disabilities. Include safeguarding policies that work against these biases.
    • Fund disability violence awareness training for child protection workers in the ACT.
    • Consider how the child protection system can help parents to access resources to care for children with disabilities.
    • Develop and fund accessible tools for children with disabilities to report experiences of abuse and neglect.
    • Consider how supported decision making can be implemented as part of the child and youth participation principle.
    • Review the updated processes such as the mandatory reporting threshold and restrictions on information sharing between institutions, and consider how they may impact children with disabilities.
    • Fund individual advocates and disability liaison officers in the child protection system, and ensure that disability-informed advice is available to parents who are in contact with the system.
    • Develop and fund support groups and information about parenting with a disability.
    • Consider how increases in funding for income support, disability support and housing can prevent parents from being in contact with child protection in the first place.

    The full submission is below.

    CYP Act SubmissionDownload

  • Media Release – Responses to Disability Royal Commission must tackle root causes of violence and exclusion

    As the Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is handed to the Governor-General, ACT groups representing people with disability have called on the Australian and ACT Government’s to step up with policies, investments and legislative changes to address the fundamental inequalities it has highlighted. 

    You can read the media release below.

    DRC-Media-Release-WWDACT-DSA-and-AFIDownload

  • Submission to the ACT Women’s Plan (Third Action Plan)

    Submission to the ACT Women’s Plan (Third Action Plan)

    Women With Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) is grateful for the opportunity to make a submission to the Third Action Plan consultation, and for the support of the Office for Women in facilitating consultations with our membership.

    This submission is informed by in-depth guided conversations with our Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), and by a conversation facilitated by the Office for Women with our broader membership. WWDACT also hosted a survey for members who preferred to contribute written suggestions – we received three responses through this platform. This qualitative evidence base is complemented by a literature review, confirming that the issues raised in our consultations are felt by a significant population of people across the ACT.

    You can read the submission below.

    WWDACT Submission to Third Action PlanDownload
  • Position statement: Crisis services for Women* with Disabilities

    Position statement: Crisis services for Women* with Disabilities

    Our position

    • Crisis and emergency housing should be available to all women* with disabilities who require these services in the ACT.
    • The domestic violence services must work with disability services and Disability People’s Organisations to share expertise and improve understandings of an intersectional approach to avoid creating silos in the sector.
    • Information about how domestic violence services can and will cater to women* with disabilities should be explicit and easily accessible.
    • Women* with disabilities who contact domestic violence services should be asked what their immediate care needs are.
    • All women* with disabilities who seek crisis and emergency housing should promptly be put in touch with an individual advocacy organisation to support them through the process.
    • All crisis and emergency housing in the ACT should be accessible for women* who have physical disabilities including those women* who use mobility aids.
    • Crisis services should ensure current important information on accessing the service is made accessible (e.g., Easy English, plain English, screen reader friendly information)
    • Women* with disabilities must be consulted about how to improve services.
    • Data on the number of women* with disabilities requesting, accessing, or being turned away from domestic violence services should be kept and made public.

    You can learn more by reading our position statement linked below.

    WWDACT-Position-Statement-4-Crisis-ServicesDownload
  • Position statement: Prevention of Violence against Women* with Disabilities

    Position statement: Prevention of Violence against Women* with Disabilities

    Our position

    Women and non-binary people with disabilities have the right to freedom from all forms of violence.

    • Women and non-binary people with disabilities have the right to freedom from all forms of violence.
    • All forms of violence are blatant violations of basic human rights.
    • WWDACT opposes all forms of violence in all settings across the ACT.
    • Violence against women and non-binary people with disabilities must be understood in context of intersections between gender and disability.
    • Violence is preventable. There is an urgent need for prevention programs in the ACT informed by human rights frameworks and intersectional frameworks.

    You can learn more by reading our position statement below.

    WWDACT-Position-Statement-One-Prevention-of-ViolenceDownload
  • Social Isolation and Violence by C Moore

    Social Isolation and Violence by C Moore

    This is the script of a speech given by C Moore, WWDACT CEO, at the Canberra Women’s March on January 20th, 2019. Please be aware that this speech contains reference to violence, abuse and sexual assault.

    Social Isolation and Violence against Women with Disability

    I am a non-binary, genderqueer person, raised as a woman. I am a queer person. I am a person with disability. I march with you today as a person who balances the intersectionality of these identities. I hope to help you to understand some of the complexity facing those of us at the intersection of disability and gender. Unfortunately statistics for nonbinary and gender diverse people with disability are virtually nonexistent so this speech focuses on women, but anecdotally, I know that many of the same gendered issues are faced by us.

    The disadvantage placed on a woman with disability is not simply the sum of ableism and sexism. It’s multiplied. Women with disabilities are disproportionately excluded in public life, work, health care, housing, income and so much more. We are all too often invisible, because just getting to a march like this involves conquering barriers that others don’t ever think of. That invisibility and isolation drives and enables an epidemic of violence against women with disabilities.

    The statistics on violence against women with disabilities are harrowing. The violence and harassment discussed in mainstream feminism is amplified for us. 52% of women with disabilities have experienced workplace sexual harassment. In the US, 69% of women with disabilities experience physically aggressive street harassment.  Our sisters with disabilities tell us that this is replicated in Australia.  Here research tells us that 70% of women with disabilities have experienced violent sexual encounters and 90% of women with intellectual disability have experienced sexual abuse. And much of this goes unreported.

    Can you imagine life where you are verbally abused every day, jostled at the bus stop, bullied at school, belittled at home. Where the media you see tells you you’re something to be pitied. The more different you look or sound to others, the greater the incidence of abuse.  The impact of a life of put-downs contributes to lowering self-esteem, eroding confidence, and preventing young girls with disabilities from developing a strong sense of self. Little wonder that there is a high incidence of chronic depression and mental illness in addition to a primary disability. A power imbalance is created in all our interactions with able bodied society. This power gap is increased when disability intersects with a different  gender identity. And this can be exploited by those who target women with disabilities, in relationships and in families, and from support workers, or co-workers.

    Little wonder that women with disabilities are 40% more likely to experience domestic violence. That takes different forms for us because partners are often the ones providing necessary supports. They can withhold that support as a form of abuse, use that power to discourage women from reporting and leaving. This is reinforced by policy that expects partners or family members to be primary carers, and often leaves women powerless to speak up.

    Women with disabilities also experience abuse from paid support workers in institutions and from service providers. Over the first 3 months of its operation, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission received 184 reports of abuse or neglect, 29 of which were sexual assaults, from within service providers in New South Wales and South Australia. This is just the tip of the iceberg, in a new scheme that covers only a fraction of the population. We have been asking for a Royal Commission to shine a light on the true extent of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities for years, and stories like this just keep coming. You can call for it too. It is, after all, an election year.

    In so many settings, women with disabilities are targeted by abuse because we are isolated and othered by able bodied society. Each of you can enable women with disabilities to be more visible and included, helping to break the cycle of isolation and abuse. That means personal and organisational commitment to including women with disabilities in our community.

    Look for opportunities to improve access and inclusion without waiting for one of us to point it out. Make sure your next event asks attendees about their access requirements. Ask your local politicians about their plans for inclusion. Seek out people with disabilities to work with you. Follow the work of local advocates like WWDACT and learn from our perspectives. Boost our voices in the community, stand in solidarity with us. Only if we are included is our isolation decreased and our level of safety in the community increased.

    Together we are strong women with strong voices.

    Include us and march with us.

  • Submission to the Inquiry into the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2018

    Submission to the Inquiry into the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2018

    Women with Disabilities ACT would like to restate our support for the Crimes (Consent)
    Amendment Bill 2018. We believe that it will lead to better outcomes for women with
    disabilities who experience sexual abuse and will promote cultural changes that will better serve the rights of women victims with disabilities. However, a more specific definition of “reasonable” and emphasis on communication could improve the bill. Experiences in NSW and Tasmania indicate that further action is needed to ensure that the intention of this amendment is borne out in practise.

    You can read our full submission below.

    Consent_SubmissionDownload submission