The Violence Against Women Specialist Unit implements the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women. The Strategy is the State Goverment's key intitiative to address violence against women. Learn more about the Strategy

16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women 2007 (25 November - 10 December) Events calendar Thousands of individuals were involved in over 150 public and internal activities run across NSW as part of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women campaign. The range of activities was extraordinary, with some attracting over 300 participants. The events included: stalls, breakfasts, dinners and BBQ’s, conferences, forums, film festivals, a camp, panel discussion, puppet show, art competitions, activities in pubs, cake stalls, a surfboards in the sand event, and a quilt making event. Events achieved their aims of raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault; providing information about services; promoting healthy relationships and encouraging men and women to speak out and take action to stop violence against women. Congratulations and thanks to all the individuals, community organisations, businesses, media and government agencies that took up the call to action by running events, displaying posters and distributing resources to raise awareness of violence against women. Evaluation: Please complete this easy-to-use online evaluation survey to assist us evaluate the 2007 16 Days campaign, and help us to make it even more successful next year. Contact us if you have any problems accessing the survey. See the events calendar for a list of some of the events held during this period. More information about the events will be posted soon. Find out more about 16 Days of Activism and the NSW Stop Domestic Violence Day. Find out actions men can take to stop violence against women Find out more about 16 Days of Activism and the NSW Stop Domestic Violence Day. Find out what’s happening in your area Find out actions men can take to stop violence against women Stopping Indigenous family violence New Commonwealth-funded programs to address family violence in Aboriginal communities are being implemented in 2007 as part of the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women. The Strong Aboriginal Women and Improving Legal Access Project will be run in a number of communities across NSW to help demystify legal language and familiarise Aboriginal women with the court processes. The project will also help educate courts about culturally sensitive service delivery and Aboriginal women's experiences. The Youth Leadership Through Healthy Relationships Project will help Aboriginal young people to develop their capacity, confidence and leadership skills to address family violence. Young people will work with elders and mentors to develop their sense of identity, respect for self and others and learn how to build healthy relationships. Find out more Violence Prevention Strategies Officers are conducting prevention projects throughout NSW. Find out what’s happening in your region North Sydney Spiked Drinks Campaign There is growing concern about the use of alcohol and/or other drugs as a weapon to facilitate sexual assault. This form of attack is often referred to as ‘spiked drinks’. Find out how this issue is being addressed in North Sydney Indigenous Puppets Project An educational resource has being developed in Wagga Wagga to highlight the issues and impact of domestic and family violence, particularly on children and young people. Read more about the puppet project. Central West Women’s Art Project Domestic violence groups in Lachlan and central NSW are using Indigenous weaving and basket making to build networks and support and to help women feel connected to their community and culture. Find out more about this project

2007 Violence Against Women Prevention Awards A major event during 16 Days is the annual NSW Violence Against Women Prevention Awards. These Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations including journalists, media and businesses to the prevention of violence against women. Twelve groups and individuals who have actively fought violence against women in the community received special awards on Friday 30 November at a ceremony attended the Minister for Community Services Kevin Green. Find the list of Award recipients Local Domestic Violence Committees Grants Local Domestic Violence Committees in NSW may apply for a grant of $600 to assist them in their work of raising awareness and prevention of domestic violence. Applications closed on 2 November 2007. Successful grants will be announced by the Minister of Community Services on Stop Domestic Violence Day, 7 December 2007. Find out more VAW Strategy Achievements 2003-06 This recently released report marks an important milestone for the Strategy, celebrating 10 years of activity. It highlights the achievements gained and new ways forward in the prevention of violence against women. Download the Achievements report here >> Violence prevention diary for Aboriginal women An inspirational diary ‘A little Black Book for Strong Black Women’ is a new resource designed to reduce sexual assault and domestic and family violence experienced by Aboriginal women and children in NSW. The perpetual diary is a project of the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women and the Aboriginal, Chlld, Youth and Family Strategy. The diary includes: legal and educational information around sexual assault and domestic violence appropriate agencies/service contacts that relate to safety and support empowering messages from women who have experienced and worked through sexual assault and domestic and family violence visual representations of Aboriginal families, friends and community members Aboriginal women’s art and poetry inspirational words calendar, address and note pages. Copies of the diary are available for distribution in NSW. Email vaw-unit@community.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9716 2061. Safe Families Kit Update This popular visual educational resource addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and the law for non-English speaking groups of women and men has been recently updated and expanded. It is available for free to assist service providers within NSW provide information about different forms domestic violence, what can be done about it and where to go for help. Training sessions in the Kit are also available. Phone 02 9716 2061 or email vaw-unit@community.nsw.gov.au for more information. Supporting someone who experiences Domestic Violence This new resource has been developed by the Domestic Violence Line to assist family, friends and people who care about someone who is experiencing violence in their relationships. The brochure is available in English, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese Spanish and Korean. Visit www.community.nsw.gov.au for more information. Download this resource here Sexual Assault Report available The Sexual Assault Consultation report "Improving Service and Criminal Justice Responses to Victims of Sexual Assault" is now available. The state-wide report surveyed adult victims of sexual assault and service providers in 2005 as part of the Criminal Justice Sexual Offences Taskforce. Latest Sexual Assault Consultation Report Latest Strategy Information Bulletin Download the bulletin here Indigenous Family Violence Programs Announced Changes to the laws for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault DoCS' Domestic Violence Update