From Commission President & Human Rights Commissioner, Helen Watchirs
Last month we celebrated both an international anniversary and a local milestone – the anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and the launch of the Commission’s first cultural safety charter.
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From left: Ngunnawal elder, Richie Allan (left), conducts the smoking ceremony at the start of the forum. Right: On the forum panel, from left, Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Ros Brown; Human Rights Commissioner and President, Helen Watchirs; YWCA Young Women’s Australia Council, Laura Burr; and ATSIEB deputy chair, Jo Chivers.
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The charter was launched by Karen Flick, the Commission’s cultural advisor. It was developed under the guidance of a group of strong leaders and members of the Aboriginal community, including Pat Anderson, Di Collins, Nekol Stuart, Ashley Johnson, Tamara Murray and Rod Little.
At the launch on 13 September, we were pleased to host an open and forthright discussion with our forum co-hosts, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) represented by Deputy Chair Jo Chivers and Maurice Walker, with members of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council including Aunty Ros Brown, and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders and members. READ MORE
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Intermediary scheme supports vulnerable witnesses
Vulnerable witnesses will be better supported to have their voices heard in court and by police, under an intermediary program set to begin in early 2020. The program will be administered by a team of six staff overseen by the Victims of Crime Commissioner, Heidi Yates. READ MORE
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New guides to support gender transition in the workplace
The Discrimination Commissioner, Karen Toohey has worked with A Gender Agenda to develop resources for employees and employers supporting gender transition in the workplace. The resources are practical, step-by-step guides to safe and inclusive workplace processes. A toolkit, Supporting gender transition in the workplace, and a set of guidelines, Trans & gender diverse employees in the workplace, are available on the Commission’s website. Print versions are available by phoning 02 6205 2222.
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Victims of Crime Commissioner, Heidi Yates (right), with other forum participants including the ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette Berry (third from right).
Forum examines engaging with the perpetrators of violence
Contemporary research shows that effective engagement with perpetrators leads to increased safety for women, children and men who are harmed by domestic and family violence. At a recent forum in Canberra, attendees had the chance to consider this evidence and discuss effective perpetrator interventions. READ MORE
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First publication for intersex youth launches in October
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This month, intersex advocate Steph Lum will launch YOUth&I, Australia’s first publication for intersex youth. Steph sits on ACT’s LGBTIQ+ ministerial advisory council and is a co-chair of Intersex Human Rights Australia.
What prompted you to start YOUth&I?
“I wanted to create something centred on intersex people’s voices, allowing them to tell their stories in the way they wanted to. There’s still such a need to understand who intersex people are as well as bringing to light human rights issues that we do face.
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“We actually don’t have anything like this in Australia, which is intersex youth-focused and which allows people to connect and express themselves.”
Tell us about the submissions you’ve received?
“Submissions have come from everywhere. We’ve had a couple of submissions from Mexico, from Canada, Russia, New Zealand and Australia. There’s a diverse range of material in there, poems, longer essays, photos and drawings. The content does look really fun.” READ MORE
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Submissions open for Disability Royal Commission
Do you have an experience of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability? The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear from you. The Royal Commission is now accepting submissions.The Australian government is also funding a legal advisory service and advocacy support for people who want assistance to make a submission. This support will be available shortly. To access this support, can subscribe to the Royal Commission’s mailing list on the website.
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Making a complaint to the Commission
The ACT Human Rights Commission handles complaints about
- discrimination due to race, age, disability, gender identity, sex, colour, religion, family violence, accommodation status, employment status and immigrant status
- sexual harassment and vilification
- any health service in the ACT
- services for children and young people
- services for older people including retirement villages in the ACT.
We provide a confidential, free and accessible information service and complaint handling service for ACT community members. You can call us on 02 6205 2222, or fill in or download a complaint form.
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Coming up
Mondays, 9-12 noon
Cultural liaison officer @ Theo Notaras Centre
Our Victim Support cultural liaison officer is available every Monday morning, for victims of crime who are migrants, refugees or asylum seekers. Our staff speak Arabic and French.
10 October, 11am-2pm
Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo
Look out for the Commission’s stall at the Expo.
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19-27 October,
National Children’s Week
Details on our facebook page soon.
2 November, 11-2pm
Canberra Fair Day
SpringOUT Pride Festival
Look out for our stall on Fair Day.
10 December, 12-2pm, ACT Legislative Assembly
Age of criminal responsibility forum, International Human Rights Day
Save the date. Details on our facebook page soon.
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