Make it happen: Put a Full Stop to sexual assault and domestic violence
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Make it happen”. Karen Willis says it’s a timely occasion for launching the Full Stop Foundation, an initiative of Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia.
This year 2 women per week have been murdered by the man who says he loves them. 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault after the age of 15.
Discussion about violence against women is occupying increasing media space. The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, campaigns like Destroy the Joint’s ‘Counting Dead Women’ and Daily Life’s ‘Shine a Light’ have all played a part, as has the increase in women journalist. Women do not forget to tell women’s stories.
The personal disclosures of high profile such as Tara Moss, Rachael Taylor, and Rosie Batty becoming the 2015 Australian of the Year have all expanded the debate.
The momentum is being built. The next step is to implement innovative evidence-based programs. These programs will begin to move society toward the goal of a stop to sexual assault and domestic violence, in fact a Full Stop.
To begin to ‘Make it Happen’ the NSW Minister for Women, the Hon Pru Goward, supported by Sophie Cotsis MLC, the Shadow Minister for Women, launched the Full Stop Foundation on Thursday.
The Full Stop Foundation is seeking to raise at least $500,000 in 2015. This will be used to fund an expansion of services and prevention programs.
Last year 20,000 calls to 1800RESPECT are not answered. Donations will allow more counsellors to be employed to ensure every call is responded to. The Hey Sis program supports Aboriginal women who are supporting those in their communities who have experienced sexual assault. Donations will allow this program to continue. Ethical Leadership will work with corporations to create workplace cultures that oppose gendered violence, and the Secondary Prevention Counselling program works with men who use violence in their relationships. Donations will allow for further development and expansion.
The Full Stop Foundation’s projects are practical and evidence based. To achieve a Full Stop to sexual assault and domestic violence may take a generation but the epidemic of sexual assault and domestic violence must be stopped. It is timely on International Women’s Day to take that next step.
The Full Stop Foundation is supported by Tara Moss, bestselling author, sexual assault survivor, and long time advocate for women and children. She was announced as Patron of the Full Stop Foundation on Thursday.
Tara wrote in her book, The Fictional Woman, that “there are those who see a problem and there are those who will not give up until they find a solution” to this she added yesterday that “finding a solution to the violence is what the Full Stop Foundation is about.”
Tara’s role as Patron will include leading fundraising and awareness campaigns, working with the media to promote an open discussion on the issues, and lending her support and input to the violence prevention programs.
We have a unique opportunity to make a difference to stop the violence before it starts…Full Stop.
Make a donation to the Full Stop Foundation: www.rape-dvservices.org.au
Find out more about the Full Stop Foundation: http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/Full-Stop-Foundation/Our-Programs
Find out more about Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia: http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/Get-Help/Our-Services
For 24/7 telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Karen Willis is the Executive Officer of Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia. Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia provides the 24/7 telephone and online crisis response and counselling service for anyone in Australia whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. The organisation also provides trauma specialist counselling for those impacted by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, as well as for women who have experienced sexual assault in childhood, from six Women’s Health Centres around NSW. Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia continues to participate in research, primary and secondary prevention, law reform, and advocacy in the areas of sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Karen has worked in the field of violence against women for over thirty years. She is clear that it is every person’s human right to live their life free of violence and that when violence occurs, it is every person’s right to receive compassionate professional assistance in their recovery and full redress for the crime through the criminal justice system.
