Resources

Given the established links between literacy levels and a range of outcomes for children, women’s low literacy has flow-on effects for society more broadly.

People with lower literacy, whether due to educational attainment, intellectual ability, neurodiversity, health or age, should not be at risk of social exclusion, stigmatisation or being relegated to subordinate roles in society.

There is clear and compelling evidence that the adverse effects of family violence contribute to inter generational disadvantage. In this submission Engender Equality urges the House of Representative Select Committee to reject an individualistic blaming approach that perpetuates further stigmatisation and harm to the most vulnerable in our communities.

Engender Equality asserts that the law should be used as a guide for behaviour and a tool for changing community attitudes towards gender inequality and family violence. This submission outlines Engender Equality's view point on the proposed Family Violence Reform Bill 2018

The impact of family violence is a much more solemn account than a homicide statistic. For many women in Tasmania, family violence is not a reportable event but a series of behaviours that promote intimidation and fear.

Women in abusive relationships often have limited ability to negotiate reproductive choices. A women may be forced by an abusive partner to have a pregnancy termination when she desired to continue the pregnancy. A woman in an abusive relationship may also be at risk of unplanned and unwanted pregnancy as a result of abusive acts. This submission outlines how women experiencing family violence may have limited ability to control their own reproductive lives.

Our services frequently extend to supporting people through the legal process; assistance that is in addition addressing the experience violence and abuse itself. It is our experience that the legal response can fail to adequately address the severity of the violence, the impact on children and the ongoing effects of trauma.

For gender equality to exist, we must recognise and actively challenge gender-based oppression.

Advancing gender equality is not just about including women’s participation. It will require systemic change within the structures and institutions that drive discrimination and inequality for all women.

The experience of family violence can impair children and young people’s physical functioning (including brain development), behaviour; emotions; cognitive development and social adjustment. The experience of family violence can have significant negative impact across the lifespan. Tasmanian children and young people affected by family and domestic violence need initiatives that aim to eradicate the primary drivers of family and domestic violence and break cycles of abusive or violent behaviour

This report shares narratives from women in our community who have experienced domestic and family violence. These stories are spoken with bravery, wisdom and freedom. Listening reveals the journey of women, as they reach out from behind control, isolation and manipulation for help and support. Each narrative shares a powerful piece of new evidence to help us create positive experiences and outcomes for those who follow.

The draft Bill proposes that national recognition of Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) will ensure that the protection of persons who have taken out a DVO no longer ends once they leave the state the order was made in. It will also ensure that people needing the protection of DVOs do not have to bear the burden of registering the protective order whenever they enter new jurisdiction.

There is insufficient localised evidence available to adequately inform the design of mandatory treatment programs for sex offenders in Tasmania. Therefore, the development of new legislation and associated strategies will be based on the composite set of values and attitudes of the community, informing a model that has demonstrated success in comparable socio-environments.

The contextual experiences of long term abuse and the impact on the psychological wellbeing of women is an essential consideration to self-defence (and other protective mechanisms). The law needs to make provision for women who kill their partner when they believe that it is the only option available to them to protect themselves or their children.