Inscribing Violence: murder and sexual abuse so banal it’s art WARNING. Graphic image/content The end of this week has left me reeling. How to even describe the latest violence against women horror exhibits? How to name the casual everyday way these mementos from the frontline of the war on women have become normalised in our […]
A Voice for Men: harassing and abusing those who defend women Last week I published a piece on Online Opinion about the epidemic of men’s violence against women. I argued that news outlets tend to obscure the gendered nature of domestic violence and urged media to clearly state the sex of perpetrators of violence against […]
Australia is in the midst of a public health crisis. Men’s violence against women and children has reached epidemic proportions. It manifests in rape, battering, abuse and even murder. White Ribbon statistics indicate that up to one in three women will be a victim of physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. In 2012 Victoria […]
There is no excuse to deny or ignore the undeniable exploitation of countless human beings People have been asking me my thoughts on the recent and sad reports that Somaly Mam’s story of being trafficked into prostitution as a child are not true. I know many good people who have selflessly supported Mam’s work in […]
As most of us are now aware, 22-year-old Elliot Rodger, son of Hollywood producer Peter Rodger, went on a shooting rampage on Friday night, killing six people and sending seven more to the hospital. Rodger was very clear about the reasoning behind his violence. In a video posted online before the shooting, he says: For […]
Statements from NORMAC and Abolish Prostitution Now following Amnesty state AGMs on weekend NORDIC MODEL AUSTRALIA COALITION (NORMAC) Media Release 10/05/2014 AMNESTY BRANCHES OPPOSE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S SEX INDUSTRY AGENDA. A resolution has been passed today by Amnesty branches in Tasmania and Queensland which advocates for an abolitionist approach to prostitution. This decision conflicts with the […]
Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution: a compelling take down of pro-prostitution myths I recently read Rachel Moran’s autobiography Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution (Spinifex Press, 2013). It is the most compelling take down of pro- prostitution myths I have ever read. As Amnesty International goes against all it supposedly stands for in backing […]
I introduced Abigail Bray’s new book Misogyny Re-loaded to you at the end of the year. Here’s a great interview Abigail did recently with Meghan Murphy at Feminist Current. You really should have a listen to it.
Sexting, Shame and Suicide: a shocking story of sexual assault in the digital age This essay was published last September but I’ve only just come across it. I keep thinking of Audrie and her body defaced and graffitied, the images shared and consumed. Her waking in horror to discover the markings all over her body […]
Recently I was part of a field trip visiting World Vision projects in communities in North West Delhi, India. Led by World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello, it was an amazing time, seeing the real difference World Vision was making in the lives of the vulnerable and marginalised, through infant nutrition programs, improving the lives […]
Child Exploitation Forum March 20 Miss Representation Film Screening When: Saturday March 22nd 7:30pm-9:30pm (90 min feature followed by panel discussion with Melinda Tankard Reist, Calvin Taylor and others) Where: Crossway Centre Main Auditorium 2 Vision Drive, Burwood East, 3151 Cost: Gold coin donation at the door (all proceeds go to Collective Shout) Like drawing […]
Calling on Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to revoke visa Federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has been hearing from us a lot lately. That is because there’s been just too many misogynistic rap artists granted entry into Australia. First we wrote requesting to have Tyler, the Creator‘s visa revoked. Then we brought attention to the woman-hating lyrics […]
