Stop the Violence Project

Improving Service Delivery for Women and Girls with Disabilities Communiqu from Second meeting of the Project Steering Group 10 May 2013 Ms Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission and Chair of the PSG, welcomed the members to its second meeting of the Stop the Violence Project (STVP). Ms Broderick, in her remarks, highlighted the linkages of the STVP with the other projects being conducted under the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children, 20102022, and noted the recent release of the first Progress Report to the Council of Australian Governments on the National Plan. Speaking about her recent experiences at the 57th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW), Ms Broderick emphasised the need for governments to: take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational and other measures to protect and promote the rights of women and girls with disabilities as they are more vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including in the workplace, educational institutions, the home, and other settings. Feedback on the critical role played by women with disabilities in the CSW57 was provided by Ms Annie Parkinson, Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA). She stated, The inclusion of women with disabilities in key international events is critical to ensuring that our issues are identified and addressed in agreed outcomes. An update on the progress of the responses from the National Survey was provided by Dr Leanne Dowse, University of New South Wales. Response to the survey has been very pleasing to date and with a further three weeks open, the UNSW research team is confident that substantial evidence to support the development of project outcomes will result. Dr Dowse also highlighted early key emerging trends and issues identified by respondents such as the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in policy and service development, cross-sector collaboration and workforce capacity building. The survey is available on the STVP website, www.stvp.org.au and the deadline for survey responses is 31 May 2013. Ms Therese Sands, People with Disability Australia, outlined the key findings from the consultation forums with women with disabilities. Among the key common issues identified was the need for resourcing networks of women with disabilities in every State and Territory to facilitate their engagement in policy making and service design, delivery and evaluation.

The meeting discussed the role and structure of the National Symposium and agreed on the need for identified and agreed action-oriented outcomes from the participants to support the development of strategies to stop violence against women and girls with disabilities. Commenting on the National Symposium Ms Broderick noted, This is a significant opportunity for high-level stakeholders and decision-makers to consider the national landscape, identify areas of good practice and areas where change is needed and agree on sustainable measures to address violence against women and girls with disabilities. The next meeting of the PSG will take place on 6 September 2013. About the STVP Project The STVP is funded by the Safety Taskforce of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) under its First Action Plan 2010-2013, Building a Strong Foundation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan). The Project Steering Group (PSG) is composed of the following membership: Ms Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner - Australian Human Rights Commission Dr Sarah Squire Ms Vanessa Swan Ms Mary Bereux Ms Rebecca Moles Ms Fiona Baker Ms Jo Sangster Ms Wendy Murray Ms Philippa Angley Ms Stephanie Gotlib Ms Julie Oberin / Ms Taryn Champion Ms Cassandra Goldie Ms Annie Parkinson Ms Therese Sands Dr Leanne Dowse Dr Karen Soldatic Women NSW Office for Women (South Australia) Office of Womens Affairs, Dept. of Human Services (Victoria) Dept. of Premier and Cabinet (Tasmania) Office for Women (Australian Capital Territory) Dept. of the Chief Minister (Northern Territory) Disability Services Commission (Western Australia) National Disability Services Children with Disability Australia Australian Women Against Violence Alliance Australian Council of Social Services Women With Disabilities Australia People with Disability Australia The University of New South Wales The University of New South Wales

Queensland is not represented on the PSG, but is participating in out-of-session discussions and activities. The Queensland point of contact for the STVP is the Violence Prevention Team, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. The PSG Secretariat can be contacted by email, stvp@pwd.org.au