Since 1991, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, held each year on November 25, has been the launchpad for the 16 days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence against Women and Children.

According to the UN, hundreds of millions of women are victims of violence or sexual abuse, an estimated 35 per cent of women have experienced some form of physical and or sexual violence, and as many as 38 per cent of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.

Last Friday, as Australians marked White Ribbon Day, our national day for raising awareness of men’s violence against women, we were reminded that in our own country one women is murdered every single week by a partner or former partner and that 63 women have been violently killed in Australia this year. That’s five more since I wrote about this issue in Monday Briefs three weeks ago.

The Law Society of NSW supports evidence-based measures which contribute towards reducing the incidence of domestic violence in Australia and we will continue to push for the state government to direct more resources for outreach, awareness and specialist services.

We have seen a global outcry in the past 12 months in response to the sheer magnitude of sexual harassment and other forms of violence that women are suffering all over the world, including in the workplace.

Fittingly, the theme of the 2018 16 days of Activism Campaign is “End Gender-Based Violence in the World of Work”. The goal for 2018 is to continue to target the institutions in which gender-based violence is perpetuated and push for the adoption of new, legally-binding international standards to eliminate gender-based violence in the workplace.

On this front, I am pleased to learn that we have a full house attending our LSJ Speaker Series on Sexual Harassment in the legal workplace this Wednesday. All members of the legal profession have a role to play in “keeping the conversation going” and empowering women to speak out against inappropriate behaviour.  In doing so, we can extend the campaign of activism from 16 days to every day.

Anyone experiencing domestic and family violence can get help 24/7 by calling 1800 RESPECT or 1800 737 732. For crisis support contact Lifeline 13 11 14.

Doug Humphreys
Law Society President 2018
Twitter:  @LSNSW_President

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