NSW: Violence a major problem for women, says report

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2004
NSW: Violence a major problem for women, says report

EDS: EMBARGOED UNTIL 0700 AEDT FRIDAY DECEMBER 10



SYDNEY, Dec 10 AAP - Australian women face continuing domestic violence, a lack of
child-care and sexual assault services, pay inequality and increasing homelessness, a
new report reveals.

The Our Rights, Our Voices report, released to coincide with International Human Rights
Day, highlighted the problem of fewer services for women at a time when violence and discrimination
continued to rise, its authors said today.

The report was written by the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and the Women's
Rights Action Network Australia as part of a national project documenting the human rights
experiences of women in Australia.

NCOSS deputy director Michelle Burrell said the report revealed a strong connection
between violence, homelessness and poverty among women.

"The failure to adequately prevent and respond to violence that occurs in institutional
and other service settings is of particular concern to women with disabilities, indigenous
women and women in prisons or juvenile justice systems," she said.

"For women with disabilities, violence is more extensive and diverse in nature.

"It is virtually impossible for women and girls with disabilities to report violence
when they may be dependent on the perpetrator for their daily care."

Ms Burrell said governments needed to provide more long-term support for women who
were victims of violence.

"Until that is achieved, Australia will not comply with its international human rights
obligations," she said.

The report recommends increased resources for women's refuges and support services,
with non-government organisations calling for a 40 per cent increase in funding for the
supported accommodation assistance program.

The report will be launched today at the Human Rights Day Breakfast for Women at Sydney's
Y on the Park Hotel.

AAP dcr/was/jlw

KEYWORD: VIOLENCE (EMBARGOED)

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