Newsletter - October 2021

New submission to the Sexual Assault Reform Earlier this year Women’s Health Matters undertook a survey about ACT women's experiences of seeking help following a sexual assault. This was done to complement our research in 2016 on women’s experiences of seeking help for domestic violence, and also to inform the ACT Government’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program which was formed in early this year.  The aim of our research was to understand the needs of ACT women who have been sexually assaulted and the way they approach seeking help in the ACT – and an important part this was to gain an understanding of women’s views on what worked and what didn’t, and their suggestions for how the response system could be improved to better support women seeking supports for mental and physical health, community support, and police and legal services. We would like to acknowledge our Health Promotion Officer Pip Courtney-Bailey for leading the survey, Health Promotion Officer Julia Tran for the analysis and the Office for Family Safety in assisting us recently finalise the report.  Click here to read our submission including the findings from the survey of ACT women's experiences of seeking help following a sexual assault.

Annual General Meeting 2021 Last week on 21 October 2021 we held our first virtual annual general meeting and online special event. We were joined by special guest speaker Minister Emma Davidson who shared her kind words of praise for our historical reputation as the first feminist women's health service funded by the National Women's Health Policy in Australia and our ongoing work as peak research, health promotion and advocacy for women's health and wellbeing in the ACT. We were also joined by special guest speaker Shadow Minister Nicole Lawder who shared her vision to empower women while recognising gender-based issues that became more apparent during COVID-19 times. The Women's Health Matters team also presented our 30 years history and reflection from our 30th birthday event on 30 April 2021, and we also launched our new submission to the Sexual Assault Reform. We will release film clips of the speeches soon to our subscribers.

On the evening of 7 October 2021, ACT became Australia's first jurisdiction to criminalise stealthing - the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex. 

Stealthing is the act of removing a condom without a partner's knowledge or consent during sex, or not using a condom at all, after consent was given on the proviso of condom use. It can also have serious physical and mental health ramifications including trauma, unwanted pregnancy and STIs. 

The Bill was brought forward by Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee back in April 2021 with her proposal that was advised by Women's Health Matters and other ACT local women's rights and sexual health organisations. Read article here. 

This explicit law is an important step in shaping Australia's conversation and language around consent, sexual assault and the culture surrounding sexual violence as Ms Lee said "sends a clear message to the community that this behaviour is unacceptable and a crime”. 

We are greatly supportive and applaud that anti-stealthing has become legislated in the ACT and will continue to strive for better sex education for all ages, improved public awareness, changed cultural attitudes and breaking down of power dynamics to empower the one in three women (and one in five men) who have experienced stealthing to come forward.

Women of all ages are invited to attend this free online workshop presented by a Physiotherapist from Canberra Health Services. This workshop is targeted to women who are experiencing continence or pelvic floor concerns as well as those who are wishing to prevent them.
This workshop will provide education and practical self-help strategies that may be implemented straight away all in the comfort of your own home.
This workshop will cover issues relating to:

• Pelvic floor muscles
• Bladder and bowel control/incontinence.
• Bladder and bowel prolapse.
• Concerns pre/post gynaecological surgery.

Monday 8^th November 1pm – 4pm online.

Bookings are essential: Please contact the Community Heath Intake Team on (02) 5124 9977 so an individual email with the online link can be sent to you.

Do you have a chronic condition (lasting 3 months or more)?
If yes, this is the program for you!

Canberra Health Services is offering a FREE 3-week course for adults with a chronic condition. Topics include making the most of your health appointments, physical activity, healthy eating, goal setting, problem solving and peer support.

Sessions start this November 2021 and are delivered online so you can complete the course from anywhere.

Call Central Health Intake on 02 5124 9977 to register or email SelfManagement@act.gov.au for more information.

A maximum of 8 people per group will be accepted on a first-in, first-served basis.

Conducted by: National Ageing Research Institute and National Mental Health Commission

Focus groups or interview participants needed: older adults who live in the community or in residential aged care as well as family or friend carers of older people living with mental illness to participate in a focus group discussion.

Duration: 1.5hrs

Eligibility:

• Aged 65 years +, or aged 50 years+ if you are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, live with HIV/AIDS or have an experience of chronic homelessness.
• You do not need to have personal experience of mental health problems to participate.

OR

• Aged 65 years +, or aged 50 years+ if you are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, live with HIV/AIDS or have an experience of chronic homelessness.
• Have used mental health services in the past 12 months

OR YOU ARE

• An adult (18 years+) family or friend carer of an older person living with mental illness.

Participants will receive a gift card for their contribution.

Email: p.feldman@nari.edu.au or j.antoniades@nari.edu.au
Mobile: 0493 093 969

 

 

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