The Women’s #SafetySummit is fast approaching, and it's a critical moment for govts to commit to action.
Peak violence services have come together with 12 asks that create a roadmap for govts to address family, domestic & sexual violence: safetysummit.org.au 1/
To make transformational change happen, we’re going to have to build a call for action so overwhelming the govt can’t ignore it.
We only have a month to go before the #safetySummit - and we need to show that people from all corners of the country are pushing for this change. 2/
.@FairAgenda & @EROCAustralia are extremely concerned that the Morrison Government’s Good Society (aka #milkshakeconsent) website is still littered with harmful & inaccurate content. (A thread)
Specifically...
1) Materials that list ‘eye contact’, ‘smiling with the eyes’ or ‘laughing’ as ‘cues that can convey a yes’
2) Conflicting materials about non-verbal communication that state ‘looking away’ or ‘going still’ indicates a ‘hard no’ and mean ‘don’t ask again’, and then later stating that ‘stillness’ or ‘looking away’ are body language that is ‘unsure’
This afternoon Minister Ruston announced a national women’s safety summit for July, and a national online survey for any member of the public to ‘have your say’ to help “develop a strategy for reducing and preventing family, domestic and sexual violence”
The Morrison Govt's survey is horrifying & harmful.
The Qs all members of the public are invited to respond to include: what they consider the major issues for victim-survivors, what useful responses they have seen in prevention, & their priorities for the national strategy...
Everyone is invited to rate whether or not it’s relevant that “services meet the needs of people experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence", whether "Indigenous communities are empowered to strengthen their own responses to family, domestic and sexual violence"...
The Morrison Government has today announced $150 million to boost programs to combat domestic violence - including counseling, 1800 RESPECT, Mensline and a new communications campaign to ensure people know where they can seek help. 1/
Extra investment is desperately needed to increase the capacity of specialist services to support women's safety at this time - so this funding boost is a positive development.
BUT today's announcement is nowhere near what's needed. 2/
Experts have already told the Morrison government that even *just* for safe at home programs, $180 million is needed to meet demand.