WHW News by Women's Health West

Edition 1 • 2012

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PhotO Scout Kozakiewicz

Lead On Again participants leap into their leadership program! Find out what they learned and how to join them on page 14.

inside: Celebrating the equal pay win with the PM! p.7

A word from the ceo Welcome to the first edition of WHW News for 2012, our equity and social justice edition. As most of you will know, equity and justice for women in the west has been WHW’s vision statement over the past three years. As we enter our 2012-2015 strategic planning cycle it is a good time to reflect on how far we have come and what WHW is doing to realise that vision. This was the theme of a recent workshop with staff and board directors, as outlined in Karen Passey’s report on page 3. While you won’t be surprised to hear that we think there is some way to go yet, you will find a number of articles in this edition that show the inroads we are making to enact that vision. One of the methods that WHW uses to improve equity and justice is to focus on changing the social, economic and political factors that limit the lives of women. We do this by influencing public policy and legislation, improving access to services and resources, and building women and girl’s capacity to take positions of leadership. The articles in this edition outline a number of activities we’ve been involved in over the last four months to do just that, as well as work by our partner agencies, such as the highly successful McAuley Works program, outlined by Claire Coxon on page 6.

Dr Robyn Gregory

On page 5, Elly Taylor writes about our submission supporting a bill to significantly strengthen Australia’s criminal justice response to human trafficking, slavery, and offences such as forced marriage and forced labour. Also on page 5, Erin Richardson outlines our response to the state government’s recently released consultation framework for the Addressing Violence Against Women and their Children Action Plan. As an organisation that undertakes activities ranging from primary prevention through to responding to women and their children after they experience family violence, WHW are in an excellent position to share concrete actions for consideration in the plan. One of those is to strengthen our ability to respond to children who experience family violence. You can read about our current work on pages 8-9, which includes our new kid’s page presented by Stephanie and Sally, our children’s counsellors. Working with an older cohort, Krissy Bergin from Taylors Lakes Secondary College brings us up to date on the Girls Talk, Guys Talk program on page 12. This program is entering its sixth successful year and our health promotion worker, Lucy Forwood, has just finished

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women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west

Witness our historic morning tea with Julia Gillard to celebrate Fair Work Australia’s decision to award community sector workers hard won pay increases!

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NEW! Kids page

Find out how kids who’ve experienced family violence can meet each other and talk about the ways it has affected them with peers who understand.

Financial literacy saves Chin women money p.13 The latest financial literacy program revealed amazing discoveries – and savings – for recently arrived women.

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Finally, Nicola Harte reports on the outcome of the pay equity case announced on 1 February. WHW are hopeful that the state government will commit adequate funds to implement this long overdue move to reflect job worth. The combination of population growth and dramatic increases in the numbers of clients requesting family violence services in the west is difficult enough, without the threat of losing staff or cutting services. See page 7 for ways you can continue to support equal pay for women.

Sally Camilleri, Health Promotion Coordinator An equity approach highlights unfair and unequal access to political, social and economic power and resources for and among population groups, such as women. Social justice highlights actions we can take to redress this inequity. As women we all have an interest in upholding and advancing women’s rights to safe and healthy lives, which includes access to the services and resources they need to thrive and participate in community life. The following excerpts offer glimpses into the lives of the women we work with and illustrate the need to change the conditions that cause and maintain inequity: One young woman and her family fled their farm and later their country to avoid being killed for their religious beliefs A young refugee girl was only allowed to attend school because her uncle believed her severe hearing loss rendered her unfit for marriage The severe lack of public housing means that the only way a mother and her four children can afford housing is to share a three bedroom rental property with two other families

ISSN # 1834-7096

Women’s Health West supports individual women and their children to find ways to change their lives and we take action to improve the situation for all women, through advocating for changes to legislation, public policy and other broader systems that impact on women. For example, we work with women and children affected by family violence, and we work to develop and implement a regional strategy for organisations in our region such as local government and community health to work together to prevent violence against women. This edition of whw news describes our efforts towards the ongoing goal of equity and social justice through violence prevention, increasing access to resources, and women’s participation in advocating for social change.

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Design and layout: Susan Miller, millervision@netspace.net.au

Editor: Nicola Harte Newsletter Group: Lynda Memery, Jacky Tucker, Veronica Garcia, Nicola Harte Contributors to this edition: Amanda, Anna Vu, Claire Coxon, Debra Wannan, Ellen Kleimaker, Elly Taylor, Erin Richardson, Intesar Homed, Karen, Karen Passey, Kirsten Campbell, Krissy Bergin, Maria, Nicola Harte, Robyn Gregory, Sally, Stephanie, Sally Camilleri, Samantha Merrigan, Sophie Campbell, Veronica Garcia Photographers: : Maribyrnong City Council, Meredith O’Shea, Scout Kozakiewicz, Stephanie, Veronica Garcia Illustrations: Isis & Pluto

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A woman experiencing family violence can see no way to escape because she is financially dependant on her partner

The board and I were inspired during the strategic planning process to see and hear the passion, enthusiasm and sheer hard work of our colleagues, partner agencies and communities, who work together towards equity and justice for women in the west. As one director commented, it is humbling. If you’re keen to know more about our strategic direction as it unfolds or you’d just like to keep up with the hectic world of WHW, keep your eye on www.whwest. org.au over the next few months, we’re planning some big changes!

Marian Wright Edelman

Two projects – Preventing Violence Together, and Planning for Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health – continue to go from strength to strength, with WHW coordinating action across the western region to focus our attention on the broader factors that determine women’s health and safety. See Anna Vu’s update on page 17 and Erin Richardson’s on page 15.

‘The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place.’

On page 14 Kirsten Campbell introduces one of the participants in our young women’s leadership program, who shares her experiences of the friendships she forged, skills learned and hope inspired for the future after completing Lead On Again in January. We also ran another financial literacy program, this time with recentlyarrived women from Chin State in Burma. On page 13 Kirsten outlines some of the terrific work undertaken to ensure fee-free bank accounts.

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documenting that work in a training manual to share with other workers keen to undertake a whole-school sexual and reproductive health project.

Editorial Policy: Contributions from readers are welcome. Opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of Women’s Health West (WHW). All contributions are the responsibility of the individual authors. The final decision on inclusion lies with WHW and the editor. Content must be in keeping with WHW’s vision and goals. Short items are preferred. Email contributions to info@whwest.org.au and include your name, email address and phone number. WHW reserves the right to edit any contribution. Read this edition and archives of WHW News online at www.whwest.org.au/pubs/WHWnews.php Edition 1 published: April 2012 Deadline for edition 2: 1 June 2012

Behind the scenes Board of Directors

Karen Passey, Acting Chair, WHW Board of Directors

would like to introduce myself as the acting chair of Women’s Health West while our current chair, Georgie Hill, was on a three month leave of absence. I have worked in the community sector for over twenty years and before that in the hospital sector. As a result I am familiar with the broad health and wellbeing needs of women and children in the community. I was coopted to the board and appointed treasurer on 1 April 2008 and was closely involved in the development of our Enterprise Agreement and also the 2009-2012 strategic plan. I am now working with the staff and board of Women’s Health West to develop our 2012-2015 strategic plan. Understanding the environment in which we are operating

and listening to the needs of our community are central to this task.

feedback about our strengths and weaknesses, or ideas for collaboration.

The board of directors are employing a process to develop a strategic plan that is reflective of a strategic thinking organisation. We will hold planning forums with staff, the board and key individuals identified as having particular and relevant strategic knowledge of our sector to inform our direction. We will also meet with clients and community groups to understand their experiences of inequity and injustice and make sure the plan reflects and responds to those experiences.

The first of the forums focuses on health promotion and the second on family violence.

We invite you to share information and ideas about future directions that WHW should consider in the development of our strategic plan. This might include changes in public policy, demographics, legislation and current thinking,

We hope that the discussions will be lively, informative and, while we have a particular interest in the information for strategic planning purposes, we hope that the opportunity to meet will strengthen our links with the community, service providers and our clients. Women’s Health West has a strong interest in improving the health and wellbeing of all women in the west and in ensuring equity and justice for all and we look forward to developing a strategic plan that will assist us to meet the needs of women and children in our community over the coming years.

Samantha Merrigan, Incoming Board Director

completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide in 1985 and worked primarily in general commercial litigation, workers compensation, employment and industrial relations law. I completed a post graduate course in Business Administration and was made an equity partner in my law firm and played an integral role in building a successful legal practice, IR and HR consultancy. I then moved to Melbourne and completed another post graduate course in Management Psychology. In 2004 I made a significant career change, moving from private legal practice into the corporate environment working for Transurban, a publically

listed company. I have held a number of roles within Transurban, from managing customer complaints, implementing policies and procedures, overseeing tolling enforcement including lobbying road authorities for change and embedding an enterprise wide approach to risk management. In 2008 I had the privilege to complete the Williamson Community Leadership Program where I was exposed to many fabulous people and experiences including an insight into the important work in the not for profit sector. In my current role as General Manager, Risk Safety and Sustainability, I am responsible for delivering a

number of corporate functions within Transurban in a consistent, efficient way that drives continuous improvement across the business. I am particularly passionate about the health and wellbeing of women. I am very excited to be a part of Women’s Health West and am looking forward to working with you all.

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PHOTOGRAPHER Meredith O’Shea

General Manager, Risk Safety and Sustainability, Transurban

Behind the scenes Karen

Health Promotion Worker

The obvious career path that led to this family violence police liaison position began many years ago at Domino’s Pizza, Sizzler and a kebab shop named Phil McCravings. My suitability for the role was then enhanced by ten years in the advertising industry and three quarters of a social work degree. I have, however, also dabbled in family violence casework, program team leadership and training facilitation with Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria. I hope to cultivate the already strong working relationship WHW has with Victoria Police. This partnership has endless potential in influencing the safety of women and children in the west.

Intesar Homed FARREP Community Worker

When I volunteered for Jesuit Social Services in Flemington and Kensington, I co-ordinated the homework support group and the women-only swimming program. I previously worked as a laboratory technician, a childcare worker, and a youth worker with the City of Maribyrnong where I provided support for young people to access programs, referrals and links to support agencies. I have a Bachelor of Applied Chemistry and a diploma of Community Development. This is my first time working in a feminist organisation and I am looking forward to contributing my skills and experience as well as learning from my colleagues.

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Advocating submissions

Ellen Kleimaker

I was born and grew up in Germany where my first job was with a trade union. It was a lucky start because it taught me so much about discrimination and oppression and about who is more likely to experience it. At the Victorian Trades Hall Council I was the research officer and before that I was their women’s and equity officer, setting up and coordinating a women’s refuge and an African community educators program. I hope that my work with migrant and refugee communities in the areas of employment, discrimination, oppression and family violence has given me the expertise and skills to work with my colleagues and the community in ways that will end violence against women in all its forms.

PHOTOS Veronica Garcia

WHW Staff

Family Violence Police Liaison

Amanda Crisis Accommodation Services Worker

My first job was in the children’s residential section of the Glasgow City Council Social Work Department and I’ve also worked in their addiction and mental health teams. Before coming here I lived in Ireland for 6 years, working in a women’s refuge in Dublin. This role with WHW is similar to my last job in some ways (clients present with the same issues) but the case management system here is totally different. I’m looking forward to becoming more familiar with the Australian welfare and housing system.

Maria Children’s Advocate and Case Worker

I have some history with WHW as I was on the board briefly in 2005 and did some after hours work in 2007. More recently I completed a monthlong secondment as the crisis response worker. My previous roles were at the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria. I am very excited about my new position as children’s advocate and case worker and hope to contribute to the amazing work that WHW does for women and children experiencing family violence.

Consultations for state

Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Worker The state government released the Addressing Violence Against Women and their Children Action Plan Consultation Framework in January 2012 with the aim of ‘bring[ing] together previously separate policy platforms to more effectively prevent, intervene early, and respond to violence against women’. The three key action areas are:

Preventing violence against women and their children before it occurs

I ntervening earlier so that women and their children do not continue to experience violence

E ffectively responding to violence against women and their children after it occurs

Women’s Health West welcomed the opportunity to participate in the consultations. This new action plan will be a key document for

Women’s Health West Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker

n January 2012, WHW provided public comment on the draft Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012. WHW commend the Attorney-General’s Department on the timely release of the draft bill, as the proposed amendments will provide a sound legislative framework for deterring and punishing human rights violations under Australian law. The bill puts forth a number of key legislative reforms that, if passed, will significantly strengthen Australia’s criminal justice response to human trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like offences, such as forced marriage and forced labour. WHW strongly supports the introduction of new offences relating to forced labour and

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Women’s Health West’s advocacy activities include communicating with government, community and service providers through committees, campaigns, submissions and letters. This new section summarises our most recent actions; full submissions can be found at www.whwest.org.au

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government plan to prevent and respond to violence against women

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us, both as the largest family violence service in the western region and the lead agency on the regional primary prevention action plan, Preventing Violence Together. Both preventing and responding to violence against women is core business for WHW, and we commend the government for consulting with the sector and for prioritising the safety and wellbeing of Victorian women and girls. Women’s Health West has provided a full written submission to the consultation, as well as a joint submission as part of the Women’s Health Association of Victoria, with over forty recommendations to government. Three of our key recommendations are that:

•• government must fully fund the Action Plan and ensure that recurrent funding is provided to primary prevention, early intervention and tertiary responses. The current funding model does not provide an adequate amount of funding to primary prevention of

violence against women, in particular. WHW have recommended that as a critical needs area, funding to combat violence against women must be exempted from any austerity measures. Like child protection and other critical human services, preventing violence and responding effectively after it has occurred is core business for governments and must be funded accordingly.

•• the government should establish a separate, long term primary prevention of violence against women plan. WHW advise that the best mechanism to achieve the required change is by developing a separate, ten-year, primary prevention plan that complements the early intervention and tertiary response plan. A stand alone plan also has the advantage of safeguarding the integrity of primary prevention actions that are often subsumed into early intervention and tertiary responses in initiatives that do not

fully reflect the principles of primary prevention, nor the particular skills and approaches that are required to effect cultural and structural change.

•• That women’s health services are ideal sites for coordinating regional prevention of violence against women activities. For WHW, as well as the other women’s health services, women’s health, safety and wellbeing is core business. Apart from our clear expertise in building the capacity of other organisations to plan, implement, and evaluate violence against women initiatives, women’s health services are a logical coordination point for regional work. Very strong existing links between the regional women’s services – and specialist statewide services including Women with a Disability Victoria and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health – via the Women’s Health Association of Victoria will also ensure that skills, resources and evidence are developed and shared across the state.

support the strengthening of the slavery and people trafficking bill forced marriage. Such changes are an important step toward better ensuring that women and girls’ rights to live free from violence, torture and inhumane and degrading treatment are upheld and protected. We also recommended the introduction of a series of non-legislative reforms and initiatives, including:

•• Fund research into the extent and nature of trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like offences in Australia

•• Develop community and professional education programs, campaigns and initiatives to increase awareness of human trafficking and slavery-like offences

•• Increase government funding for services to support victims of trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like offences, particularly services that meet the complex and diverse needs

of women and children affected by human rights violations

•• Ensure trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like offences are a high police priority and that police develop clear protocols in relation to communication and collaboration with non-government organisations

•• Ensure that non-Australian citizens who are victims of human trafficking can access protection visas, regardless of whether they cooperate with law enforcement authorities A comprehensive approach to human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offences requires the federal government to implement measures that reduce the demand for, and ultimately prevent, human rights violations. To achieve this aim the socio-economic factors that make people, especially women and children, vulnerable to human trafficking and other forms of slavery, such as

poverty, economic underdevelopment and lack of equal opportunity to employment, education and social participation, must be redressed. Since finalising our submission, WHW has gathered further information about the impact of forced marriage in Australia on our clients and communities. We found that our family violence service sees between 5-10 women each year who self identify as being affected by this form of genderbased violence. We estimate that more women are also impacted, but are more likely to identify family violence as their primary problem and forced marriage only if specifically asked. We look forward to seeing the Australian Government take definite action and implement various reforms that work to reduce the demand for, and ultimately prevent, forced marriage practices.

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Paving the way to long term success Claire Coxon, Communications Manager McAuley Community Services for Women

“Having a job helped me get back on my feet. It’s helped me mentally and helped me establish a stable home.”

Jane was determined to get her life back and was incredibly brave when facing significant trauma.

aria*, 43, suffered through more than 20 years of family violence, first at the hands of her exhusband, then at the hands of her teenage son. Maria had not been able to hold down a job during this time. She felt isolated and had very low self-esteem.

‘McAuley Works gave me good advice. They helped update my resume and develop cover letters that I could easily tailor to different jobs. I sent out 25 job applications in one day’, said Jane. ‘I got a few interviews from those and then I got a job with an accounting firm in the city.’

Having spent years struggling to survive, Maria faced significant barriers to employment. She had very low self-esteem, she lacked work history and despite having extensive skills, she had trouble adapting these to the employer’s needs. Maria joined the McAuley Works program for support in finding work and to help break down these barriers.

The stories of these brave women are not unique. One of the primary objectives of the McAuley Works program is to prevent homelessness. Australia faces an affordable housing shortage, and women in particular are disadvantaged in the housing market.

McAuley Works, a program of McAuley Community Services for Women, equips women who have experienced family violence, homelessness or mental health with the resources they need to gain and maintain a job, and become financially independent.

Employment is essential for women affected by family violence and mental ill-health. As Maria explains, ‘Having a job helped me get back on my feet. It’s helped me mentally and helped me establish a stable home’.

Tenar Dwyer, McAuley Works Program Co-ordinator, explains, ‘We work with women to build their confidence and self-esteem, and assist them with their resumes and interview skills’. The program is currently helping 65 women to build a positive and safe future for themselves and their children.

McAuley Works is developing a workplace awareness program to increase awareness of the effects of family violence on the workplace and assist employers to develop supportive workplaces for women. ACCESS Economics estimates that family violence costs Australian employers more than $175 million annually in lost productivity, absenteeism and staff turnover.

‘It had been so long since I had this type of support. I was being encouraged to get on with my life and I now have a part-time job and a bit of power back in my life’, Maria said.

The workplace awareness program provides information to employees – including referrals to specialist support services – to minimise the impact family violence has on their work, and ensure women are able to maintain their employment.

Jane* is another participant in the McAuley Works program, having endured years of severe abuse and virtual imprisonment. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had difficulty sleeping at night – she found it very hard to control her fear, her stress and her emotions.

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For further information on the McAuley Works program or to talk to an employment worker, please contact Tenar Dwyer on 9261 2050 or 0417 252 444.

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for community sector workers!

PHOTO Anne-Sophie Poirier

Equal pay win

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PHOTO Veronica Garcia

Equal Pay flash mob at Footscray station

Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator

‘Women’s work’ in the social and community services sector has always been undervalued and underpaid and, on average, Victorian women earn 17.4 per cent less than men. As a result, women are more likely to live in poverty in their old age and to experience the inequality, poor health outcomes and vulnerability to violence in the home that accompanies economic inequity. Women make up 87 per cent of the social and community services sector and, under this ruling, their minimum wage rates will increase by 23 - 45 per cent over 8 years from 1 December 2012. Regular readers of whw news will be aware of the campaign to improve the status of women run by the Australian Services Union over the last four years. Women’s Health West is a strong supporter of the campaign and has attended rallies, signed petitions and even organised a flash mob at Footscray railway station on equal pay day last year. In the lead-up to the ruling the federal government gave an unequivocal commitment to fully fund programs

in their areas of responsibility, whatever it takes to deliver equal pay – it was this commitment that gave Fair Work Australia the confidence to make their ruling. On 24 February we were honoured to be able to congratulate Prime Minister Gillard in person at a morning tea celebrating her part in the campaign. We thanked her for taking a strong stand on equity for women, not only for this sector, but for women generally. As an organisation committed to equity and justice for women, we welcome any move that brings us closer to that goal. You can check out video footage and photos from the morning tea with the Prime Minister here, http://youtu.be/f2n2s3myH6o and photos from the day are available here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ asuvictas/sets/72157629075703762/. WHW were pleased to note that last year the Victorian government showed their support for the principle of equal remuneration by setting aside $200 million to fund pay rises over four years. They also committed to reviewing this provision once the outcome of the Fair Work Australia ruling was known. It is clear from the remuneration order that the amount set aside is inadequate to meet required increases and we encourage the state government to consider the amount of funding required to avoid cuts to staff or services. This is all the more important at a time

Julia Gillard at morning tea

PHOTO Courtesy SBS

n 1 February 2012 Fair Work Australia announced – to the jubilation of SACS workers everywhere - their decision to pay women fairly for their work, in one of the most significant improvements to women’s lives in decades.

WHW health promotion worker, Erin Richardson being interviewed about the exciting announcement on SBS News on 1 February 2012

when reported crime data and service statistics attests to a growing problem of family violence, with women in the western region at particular risk. Funding equal pay will improve the status and health outcomes of all women, reducing their vulnerability to violence and the death, disability, depression and chronic disease that results.

What can you do? We encourage you to write to, and encourage your CEO to write to, the premier and outline the costs to services of not funding the ruling. You are welcome to use the letter our CEO, Dr Robyn Gregory, sent as a guide; it’s available online at www.whwest.org.au

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The Ruby files

Ruby Roo the Kangaroo, Stephanie and Sally, Children’s Counsellors

The Ruby Files is a new regular section that’s just for kids!

Hi kids (and playful adults)!

few months ago, I flew to Brisbane to present at the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association conference. I met David Read Johnson, a well-known drama therapist and the director of the Post Traumatic Stress Centre in USA. He knows all about the impact of trauma and he was funny and very good at playing. I learned a lot about myself by playing games with him and I’ve shared these skills with Sally and Steph, the children’s counsellors, so that you can have even more fun with them.

Just before Christmas I visited Melbourne Zoo and met a meerkat who had some problems with his family. He was feeling so confused and worried that he needed to lie down to tell me about it. Sometimes talking, playing and art can help meerkats and people feel much better. Later that day I saw my relatives. It was a good visit this time as they sniffed me and gave me a kiss. I was really happy when they did not fight.

Ruby Roo the Kangaroo and David Read Johnson

Art therapists from all over the world were impressed by the art made by kids from the Sunshine art group. They were inspired by the ways you expressed your feelings and thoughts through art, and made postcards for you expressing their thoughts and feelings (see below). There are more postcards on display at our Footscray office.

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After the conference I was pretty excited when the pilot let me help him land the plane in Melbourne.

Open Studio

hildren who have completed their individual or group counselling can meet other children who have experienced family violence and assist one another in their recovery at Open Studio - a school holiday art session. Open Studio allows the counsellors to check in with the children to see how they are going. We have created a tepee painted with symbols of safety, made a felt mat to go inside the tepee and flags to decorate the outside.

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Meet the Counsellors Meet the counsellor sessions are held at the beginning of each school term to explain the process of counselling to parents and suggest ways parents can support their kids when they are expressing difficult behaviour such as anger or withdrawal. At times we have a waiting list and these sessions provide activities that mums can do with their children while waiting for counselling to begin.

In the words of the children: ‘Open Studio helped us create friends and give out secrets.’ Seven year old participant ‘Open Studio was helpful because we massaged out all the bad memories.’ Twelve year old participant

Meet the counsellor session helped me to meet ‘other women who have experienced domestic violence… and how to help my children.’ It helped to explain that ‘what they and I are going through is a normal part of the process.’

Their advice to other children who experience family violence is: ‘Not to go in to fight. Not listen to person that’s violent. Just be happy the way you are.’ Ten year old participant ‘It’s okay to be sad.’ Seven year old participant

SPLASh Safe Place for Laughter, Art and Sharing

Making changes at home

SPLASh is the new name for our therapeutic creative arts group for children aged between 8 and 12 who have experienced family violence. Last time, children made dolls representing themselves to express their emotions about their experiences of family violence Creating a community for the dolls allowed children to solve problems by connecting with each other. Play is the language children use to shows us their ideas, values, beliefs and the ways they understand the world. Often children find it hard to play and ‘just be a child’ after traumatic experiences. The group provides children with a safe place to play and feel less shame and isolation. Sometimes mums find it difficult to play with their children after trauma. We encourage families to make time for fun in their recovery from family violence.

Playing out spying and stalking behaviour

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Working in

a Feminist Organisation Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker

In late 2009, Women’s Health West (WHW) began to explore whether the ways in which we work are consistent with those of a feminist organisation. During our strategic planning process, we decided to develop a document that outlined the feminist theories, practices and behaviours that guide our work, as well as an audit tool to assist us to measure whether we are achieving these aims.

e held a series of internal workshops that were informed by the feminist principle that the process is as valuable as the outcome, to investigate whether WHW staff had a shared understanding of what it is to be a ‘feminist organisation’. Broadly speaking, we defined feminism as a theoretical analysis of patriarchy, power and gendered structural inequities, as well as a political movement that raises awareness of, and works to challenge and change structures and systems that oppress women - with the ultimate goal being a just and equitable society for all. Building on the knowledge gained through these workshops, we undertook a literature review. The review explored feminist understandings of theory, behaviour and practice at an organisational level, in our work with clients and community, as managers, within teams, and in relation to our individual responsibility for building a strong feminist culture at WHW. We found very little information on the defining features of a ‘feminist’ organisation. Rather, the literature focused on the role of feminist services in their struggle to achieve social equality for women – work such as eliminating men’s violence against women and securing women’s right to control fertility through access to safe, legal abortion services.

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An Audit (part 2) Given this gap, a large part of our work involved converting feminist theory into concrete workplace practices and behaviours that could be included as part of our feminist audit tool. We then drafted a series of fact sheets to provide a snapshot of five areas of feminist workplace practice:

•• Feminist organisations •• Feminist understandings of working with clients and community groups

•• Feminist management •• Feminist understandings of teamwork •• Feminist understandings of We met again as a staff group in mid 2010. This time we workshopped the fact sheets in small groups to decide whether we agreed that the behaviours and practices outlined under each of the five workplace areas were distinctly ‘feminist’. For behaviours and practices to be included in our audit tool they needed to be informed by feminist theory, not simply ‘good practice’ or another theoretical standpoint or discipline, such as health promotion. Making the distinction between the two was at times difficult, given that some feminist workplace practices have been accepted and integrated into mainstream services.

As an outcome of this work, WHW has developed Working in a Feminist Organisation: An Audit. This tool is designed to assist us to measure whether we are operating as a feminist organisation by identifying where we are succeeding, and assessing areas of feminist theory, practice and behaviour that we need to strengthen. This audit tool is aligned with our strategic plan to ensure that feminism informs and is embedded in governance and operations of our organisation.

The tool forms part of a larger package, which details our shared understanding of feminism, recounts the story of WHW’s feminist beginning and provides an overview of the feminist theoretical perspectives that inform our work. The package also details the process undertaken to develop our audit tool, and includes the fact sheets that support this work. For further information or to obtain a copy of Working in a Feminism Organisation, please contact Elly Taylor at elly@whwest.org.au.

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ILLUSTRATION Isis & Pluto

individual responsibility

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Talking to your teenager about

sex, bullying & other hard stuff Krissy Bergin, Secondary School Nurse, Health Promotions and Partnerships, Taylors Lakes Secondary College

On Monday 7 November 2011 the Girls Talk – Guys Talk student group hosted a parent night titled ‘Talking to your teenager about sex, bullying and other hard stuff’. The Girls Talk – Guys Talk health promoting schools program has been collated into an exciting training manual and tools for creating supportive school environments that promote healthy relationships and sexual choices.

he event marked the culmination of the Girls Talk – Guys Talk health promoting schools program run throughout 2011 at Taylors Lakes Secondary College, in conjunction with Women’s Health West and Brimbank Youth Services. The student group presented the results of the Girls Talk – Guys Talk year nine surveys, featuring topics including bullying, keeping your kids safe online and talking to your teenagers about sex. The survey results will continue to be used as a guide by teachers to ensure that sexual and reproductive health curriculum is targeted and relevant to the students at Taylors Lakes Secondary College. The students worked hard to create a really successful evening and received very positive parent feedback; we congratulate them on their fantastic effort! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lucy Forwood from Women’s Health West for all her hard work, dedication and boundless enthusiasm for this project. Girls Talk – Guys Talk delivers wide-ranging benefits to all our students as we continue to educate young people about the importance of looking after their sexual and reproductive health.

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PHOTO Scout Kozakiewicz

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PHOTO Scout Kozakiewicz

Chin women learn how to outsmart the banks Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker ‘Thursday [day of the program] was our favourite day. We always looked forward to Thursday’ Chin Participant

During October and November last year, Women’s Health West ran the financial literacy program with recently arrived women from Chin State in Burma. The program was held at Sunshine Harvester Primary School, a venue familiar to many Chin women in the area, and was attended by 14 women and 20 children under 4 years of age. We were assisted by a highly skilled interpreter and a social work student volunteer. “I learned about the Ombudsman!” Chin participant

While the children were looked after by Chin childminders, the women explored topics they had identified as important to them during community consultations. This included dealing with bills and utilities; banking; housing including renting and mortgages; and Centrelink. Guest speakers from Good Shepherd, the Smith Family, Footscray Community Legal Service and Centrelink facilitated sessions on how to understand and manage these issues. The program created a connection point between the women and the services, enabling them to develop trust with workers and make appointments with them. “Now I know how to have a feefree account” Chin participant

Many women indicated that they were being charged fees (up to $60 per year)

by their bank despite having concession cards. We arranged for women to go to their bank with the project worker and interpreter. Nine women attended this session and organised new accounts with no fees, and opened savings accounts for themselves and their children. We successfully advocated for the unfair fees to be refunded. After discovering that women who had less than $2000 coming into their accounts per month would continue to be charged fees (all of the women), we assisted those who wanted to open new accounts with an alternative bank to do so, and helped to make sure their Centrelink money was paid into this new account. A critical factor in the success of both the bank visits and the entire program was the funding we received to employ a highly skilled interpreter, so that the women could understand what was being said and express what they wanted to say. The program continues to prove the value of extensive community consultation to inform program design by connecting women with services that are important to them. Another other key factor is employing skilled interpreters to enable clear understanding (and in some instances, action) by participants. Women’s Health West will continue to deliver the program with newly arrived communities in 2012. For more information, please contact Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker, on 9689 9588 or kirsten@whwest.org.au

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‘We thought, if they were able to get through the hard part of their lives, so can we’ Lead On Again 2012

Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker

In January 2012 a group of interesting, serious and keen young women from Yemen, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chin and Karen State (Burma) gathered for a week of learning and trying out leadership skills. Lead On Again was held at the Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray and included topics such as conflict resolution, healthy relationships, public speaking, planning an event, and managing stress. Here is one young woman’s experience of the program: Hi my name is Tigisti. I was born in Sudan but I’m Ethiopian. I’m currently studying year 12 at Maribyrnong Secondary College and after I graduate I want to go to university to study nursing then, if possible, become a doctor. That was a little bit about me; now I’m going to tell you about the program that I did - Lead On Again. I was one of the lucky ones who had the chance to do this amazing program on the 16 January and it was for about a week so it finished on 20 January 2012.

‘I learned a lot. I don’t normally speak much but here with all girls I felt like I could say anything.’ Lead On Again participant, 2012

Lead On Again will help you with all kinds of things in life that you are afraid to do. I started Lead On Again because I wanted to be able to stand in front of people and present my view. Presenting something in class was always something that I hated about going to school but now I have learnt about what makes a good public speaker I will be able to do my presentations without thinking about it because, let’s face it, public speaking is something we all need and you need confidence to be a good public speaker. All the activities we did in class were useful. One of my favourites that I’m sure will help me in life was the event planning. I also liked a lot of things we did in the lessons. I loved it when everyone got up and told their stories. The best thing about that was that although everyone was from different countries and we all had different stories to tell, they were the same in a way. I was interested in listening to people’s stories. I made a lot of friends from this program that I still keep in touch with. I’m telling you if you want to do this program you

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should definitely do it because you will get something out of it that you will be proud of for the rest of your life. In this program it’s not just you and the facilitators, you also get experts to come and talk to you about health and stress, something that will help you with your everyday life. On the last day we organised an event where three women talked to us about how life was for them when they first came to Australia and some of the girls and myself thought their experiences were the same as ours so it helped us to hold our heads high and take on whatever life brings us. We thought, if they were able to get through the hard part of their lives, so can we. The best thing was that all the ladies became what they wanted to be when they first came to Australia. It helps us to work hard and achieve our goals in life.

The young women had many ideas for what to do following the program. They would like to become better at writing, be bold at using their English and take action on things they are passionate about. Many plan to become involved with projects that require leadership skills in an ongoing way, including several run by WYPIN. Lead On Again is run in partnership by Women’s Health West and Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN).

PHOTO Maribyrnong City Council

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Arbeth Guevara, Erin Richardson and James Dunne (HealthWest PCP) at Maribyrnong City Council White Ribbon Day event in 2011

Preventing Violence Together: the Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women

2011 in Review

Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Worker

Following the highly successful launch of Preventing Violence Together in December 2010, the implementation committee spent 2011 planning, evaluating and preparing to implement the action plan. On Track

Highlights and Achievements

Preventing Violence Together has been officially endorsed by 72 per cent of target local councils and 50 per cent of target community health centres. Women’s Health West, HealthWest Partnership and Inner North West Primary Care Partnership are jointly implementing the action plan.

The committee has achieved an extraordinary amount in a relatively short time, including:

An evaluation undertaken by Women’s Health West and HealthWest confirmed that implementation is on track. At the end of the 2010-11 reporting period, we found that over 80 per cent of our partner agencies had identified preventing violence against women as an organisational priority in their municipal public health plans, integrated health promotion plans, and safety plans. This suggests that we are in a good position to secure full endorsement by the end of 2012.

A Strong and Growing Partnership We used the VicHealth partnership checklist to measure the effectiveness of the partnership so far, and to identify areas in which we could make improvements. We scored very highly on the checklist, and the Implementation Committee are now using the results of the evaluation to make sure we continue to improve our work.

•• We developed and launched Preventing Violence Together, the first regional primary prevention of violence against women action plan of its type;

•• Most local councils and community health services that we invited to implement the action plan have done so;

•• We ran a special Preventing Violence Against Women in Community Health Forum on 9 August 2011, run jointly by Inner North West PCP, HealthWest and Women’s Health West. Over forty community health workers, managers and executive officers attended;

•• We have increased skills and workforce capacity of partner organisations to undertake activities to prevent violence against women ;

•• We have worked to change organisational cultures within our partner agencies to enable the integration of gender equity as core business

•• We have substantially raised the profile of preventing violence against women among the leadership of our partner organisations. For more information about Preventing Violence Together: the Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women please contact Erin Richardson: erin@whwest.org.au or 9689 9588

•• We ensured that Preventing Violence Together is closely aligned with the national plan to prevent violence against women. New projects to prevent violence against women in the west are also aligned with Preventing Violence Together, for example, the state government crime prevention grants;

•• We have enhanced the work of different organisations involved in violence against women through our partnership with the Western Integrated Family Violence Committee;

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Funds for WHW Bendigo Bank CAS donations Women’s Health West would like to extend our warm gratitude to the staff of Bendigo Bank in the western region who donated hundreds of Christmas gifts to the children in our refuge.

Debra Wannan, Finance Officer

WHW received the following financial contributions from September 2011 to February 2012. These much appreciated donations assist us to enhance our programs and services to women and children in the region. Name Donations

Description

Court ordered donation

Amount 500.00

Sanctuary Lakes Centre Pty Ltd

CAS donation

200.00

Sanctuary Lakes Real Estate Pty Ltd

CAS donation

100.00

Biyoin Spa & Beauty

CAS donation

50.00

Bendigo Bank Sanctuary Lakes

CAS donation

100.00

Zonta Club of Melbourne's West

For children's resource materials

1,000.00

Grill’d Burgers, Highpoint

CAS donation

100.00 2,050.00

Total Donations Court Funds

Magistrates' Court of Victoria

Sunshine Court Fund Donations

2,000.00 2,000.00

Total Court Funds

$4,050.00

Donations to WHW are tax deductible. To find out more about making a donation please call 03 9689 9588 or visit www.whwest.org.au/docs/donate.pdf

Jacky Tucker, manager family violence services and Andrea Coote MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services thank Vicki Pearce from Bendigo Bank for the generosity of their staff and customers

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Donations received from

Type of Donation

Williamstown Lions Club

25 pamper packs

Impact for women

30 pamper packs, box of clothes

Enjoy Church

21 pamper bags, 3 pamper boxes

Sea Breeze Quilters

12 quilts, 8 pamper packs

Patricia Greenwood

Play equipment and games

Australian Children’s Book Council

$1000 of new children’s books

Rotary Club of Keilor

Toilet paper and nappies

Bendigo Bank Footscray

Hundreds of Christmas presents for children at refuge

Pat Chalmers

Presents for women and children

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia

7 boxes of toiletries with handmade bags, 2 bags clothes

Sandra Arbaitman

Clothes

Melinda

Ladies and children’s clothes

Jude

Ladies clothes

St Joseph’s Girls College

Women’s personal items and assorted handbags

Accent Jewellery

Jewellery

Membership form

Membership is free. To apply, fill in this form and mail to Women’s Health West: 317–319 Barkly Street, Footscray VIC 3011

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

CONTACT DETAILS

Individual Voting Member (woman who lives, works or studies in the western metro region)

ADDRESS

NAME SUBURB POSTCODE

Organisational Member (organisation in, or whose client-base includes, the region)

PHONE (W)

PHONE (H)

ORGANISATION (Individual members only) EMAIL ADDRESS CONTACT PERSON

SIGNATURE DATE

(This person is also eligible to attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting) POSITION

Associate Non-voting Member (individual or organisation outside the region)

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Planning for action on sexual & reproductive health

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Anna Vu, Health Promotion Worker

Content and session delivery was excellent, good concepts used as tools to facilitate thoughts and discussion. Well done, excellent organisation and facilitation. Very useful ideas generated ready to establish and build on existing partnerships to work collaboratively to address the social determinants. Great multicultural catering, networking opportunities and insight into social determinants approach. Participant feedback

The workshop built on two years of work that included a regional mapping and needs analysis, investigation of the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health, and the development of a western region sexual and reproductive health promotion framework. The workshop was attended by twentytwo service providers and generated information that formed the basis of a regional action plan designed to redress the social determinants of poor sexual and reproductive health. These factors include poverty and

socio-economic status, violence and discrimination, gender norms, public policy and the law, cultural norms, and lack of access to affordable, culturally appropriate health services. The day was a great success! Workshop participants showed enormous support for this important shift away from a medical-based model, which focuses on specific diseases, toward a social model that gives greater insight into the broad factors that impact on health. PhotOS Scout Kozakiewicz

n 20 October 2011 the western region sexual and reproductive health working group, led by Women’s Health West, held a planning workshop for sexual and reproductive health in the western region.

Over the coming months the working group will finalise the action plan in conjunction with agencies throughout the region. If you would like to be involved in this process or would like further information, please contact WHW on 9689 9588.

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Safe at Home – Staying home, leaving violence Featured publication Veronica Garcia, Information and Administration Worker

amily violence is recognised as the single largest cause of homelessness in Australia. This is because, traditionally, the family violence response system, including police and courts, was built on the premise that all women must leave the family home to ensure their safety – rather than having their violent partner removed. When women and their children leave the family home and move into a secure refuge, it can cause a high level of disruption including disconnection from employment, community, school, friends, family and other support networks, leading to a cycle of homelessness and intergenerational disadvantage. Thankfully this mode of thinking has been changing and now leaving is not the only option open to women. The ‘Safe at Home’ program encourages women to stay at home when it is safe to do so, supported by an intervention order and strong policing. The tools we use to encourage this option include:

•• A website that provides information and resources about family violence and being safe, explains the impact on children and lists contact details for support services

•• A safety planning notebook distributed to frontline crisis agencies across the region including homelessness services, courts and police

•• Posters distributed through community services, GP offices, Centrelink and other community organisations

•• Branded pens distributed to local police to promote the ‘safe at home’ message If you would like to receive FREE copies of the safety plan and poster please complete the order form below, email veronica@whwest.org. au or phone Veronica Garcia on (03) 9689 9588. You may also visit and refer women to the new Safe at Home website: www.safeathome.org.au

order form

newsletter survey

Women’s Health West Publications This form may be used as a Tax Invoice for GST purposes Order Form – Tax Invoice

My favourite part of this newsletter was: ABN 24 036 234 159

FREE – My Safety Plan Description

Qty

This safety plan contains safety strategies for your home, work and vehicle security. It highlights strategies women can use to make different environments safe from family violence.

The part I liked least was:

FREE – Safe at Home (A3 Poster) Description

Qty

‘Family violence is a crime. The law says the violent person should leave so you can stay safely in your home’. This poster promotes the new safe at home website: www.safeathome.org.au Order by mail

Information Worker Women’s Health West 317 – 319 Barkly Street FOOTSCRAY VIC 3011

Order by fax

03 9689 3861

Order by email

veronica@whwest.org.au

Order by phone

03 9689 9588

Payment

Please send payment with your order or we can invoice you. Cheques payable to: Women’s Health West

You should include more articles about:

delivery DETAILS

Overall, in terms of clear language, reporting of Women’s Health West activities and projects, design, feminist analysis of current issues and interest and relevance of articles, I rate this out of ten. newsletter

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A range of brochures and fact sheets are available from our web site edition 1 • 2012 www.whwest.org.au

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EVENTS and Notices Next Wave Festival – Food for Thought

WestCASA

19 – 27 May 2012

Women’s Health West’s Sunrise Women’s Group Come and have fun, meet new women and learn new skills. A healthy morning tea is provided. All women with disabilities in Laverton are welcome to attend, celebrate life and meet like-minded women. For more information including a calendar of activities ring Sally Camilleri at Women’s Health West on 9689 9588 or email sally@whwest.org.au

Drawing inspiration from Judy Chicago’s seminal artwork, The Dinner Party, a series of dinner party events, lectures and community-based activities will be held to create discussions surrounding the role of women and feminism in the 21st century.

Women’s Health Information Centre at the Women’s

www.nextwave.org.au www.footscrayarts.com/ whats-on/events

Free, confidential, state-wide health service that offers information, individualised support and referral on a range of women’s health issues.

Melbourne Queer Film Festival – West Hollywood

Phone: 03 8345 3045 or 1800 442 007 (Regional/ rural callers)

1 – 3 June 2012

Australia’s premier Queer Film Festival is heading west again with a mid-winter smorgasbord of queer film delights.

Email a nurse or midwife: which@thewomens.org.au www.thewomens.org.au

www.mqff.com.au

STRENGTH TO STRENGTH A supportive and informative group for women who have experienced family violence and sexual abuse in their lives Women often feel they must attract abuse if abuse happens more than once. This isn’t true. There are just a lot of dangerous ‘sharks’ out there. Sometimes it’s not possible to avoid being bitten by a shark - but sometimes having a good shark-cage can help you to recognise and repel sharks before they become a part of your life. This group will help women to recognise sharks and strengthen their shark-cage. Other topics covered in the nine week group include:

•• Building feelings of self worth

•• Boundaries and assertiveness

BreaCan – Gynaecological and breast cancer support A free, confidential statewide service run by Women’s Health Victoria. www.breacan.org.au BreaCan Resource Centre Phone 1300 781 500 or email breacan@breacan.org.au

Learn about ChiBall

12pm – 1.30pm Thursday 12 April 2012 ChiBall is an exercise program that harmonises the body, balances the mind and calms the spirit and is based on the disciplines of tai chi, qi gong, yoga, pilates, relaxation and meditation. Yoga mats and balls provided. Please wear loose and comfortable clothing. Booking is essential.

What is advance care planning?

Regular activities Reflexology

12pm – 1.30pm Monday 16 April 2012

Enjoy a free, introductory half hour reflexology session to soothe the mind, body and spirit. Appointments essential.

It is important for family and friends to understand how we would like to be cared for in the event of being too sick to speak for ourselves. Advance care planning is a series of steps we can take to express our preferences for our medical care, whether we are currently healthy or not. Booking is essential.

Feel Good – Gentle Exercise Program

•• Healthy relationships •• Stress and relaxation Morning tea provided. Places are limited. If you are interested in attending please call to book a pre-group meeting. 10.30am to 1pm Friday 20 April to 15 June 2012 (excluding 4 May) Free! WestCASA, 53 Ballarat Road, Footscray Vic 3011 Phone: 03 9687 8637 info@westcasa.org.au

Encourage movement, flexibility and, above all, fun. Classes are held fortnightly on a Wednesday in the CBD. Appointments essential.

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Equal pay in the news

Women’s Health West 317-319 Barkly Street Footscray 3011 phone fax email

On 1 February 2012 Fair Work Australia announced that community sector workers had won their equal pay case and were awarded increases of 19 – 43 per cent! Read all about the case, and how we thanked the Prime Minister for her part in it, on page 7.

9689 9588

9689 3861

info@whwest.org.au

website

www.whwest.org.au Photos of PM by Veronica Garcia

women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west