Demand our Government act for women's safety

For far too long, a culture of male entitlement, gender inequality and disrespect towards women has enabled men to perpetrate horrific gendered violence against women and girls, especially those from marginalised communities. There is a crisis, in our parliaments, schools, workplaces and our homes.

We deserve a Government that treats all forms of gendered violence as seriously as other threats to community safety. Organisations working for gender equity and freedom from gendered violence are calling for four key actions to put us on the pathway to a safer future. Can you help build the pressure for action?

It’s critical ...

For far too long, a culture of male entitlement, gender inequality and disrespect towards women has enabled men to perpetrate horrific gendered violence against women and girls, especially those from marginalised communities. There is a crisis, in our parliaments, schools, workplaces and our homes.

We deserve a Government that treats all forms of gendered violence as seriously as other threats to community safety. Organisations working for gender equity and freedom from gendered violence are calling for four key actions to put us on the pathway to a safer future. Can you help build the pressure for action?

It’s critical we elevate demands for action, and show MPs across all parties that we expect them all to endorse these fundamental reforms for a safer future for us all. Can you help build the pressure for action by sending your MP a personalised email?

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Subject:

I am writing because I am deeply distressed by the inadequate response to allegations of sexual violence and misconduct in parliament - and to systems that enable sexual violence across our communities.

Women should be safe in our workplaces, in our schools, in every part of our lives - including in our nation’s parliament. I am furious that current systems don’t properly provide for everyone’s safety.

I join the call for decisive action to address the problems in parliament and ensure it is safe for everyone. I will be watching closely the process of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.

But my concern extends far beyond parliament. Because I know that horrific gendered violence is being perpetrated and enabled across our country. That every single day survivors disclose to a system that doesn’t care enough to bring them justice. And that those who have to deal with intersecting discrimination find it even harder to achieve safety and justice.

Rape has profound, life-long consequences for survivors, often including physical disabilities and mental health conditions. Yet the prevention infrastructure, support services and accountability mechanisms that our governments are responsible for, are not resourced to adequately support survivors’ safety, or to hold perpetrators to account.

I know that violence prevention and gender equity groups are calling for four key actions to ensure a safer future, and as a constituent I want you to know that I also demand action in these areas.

Specifically, I am writing to urge you and your party to commit to not only improve the safety of parliament, but also:  
1) Implement the full spectrum of long-term systemic prevention initiatives that can address the underlying causes of gendered violence, including sexism and intersecting forms of discrimination. Starting with comprehensive whole-of-school education programs.
2) Properly resourcing the specialist services that victim-survivors of gendered violence rely on to report, be safe and recover, as well as the mechanisms needed to hold perpetrators to account.
3) Improve access to justice for victim-survivors of sexual assault through substantive and procedural law reform, and by educating the workforce so responses are appropriate and trauma-informed.
4) Actioning all 55 recommendations of last year’s Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report.

I consider anything less than these actions a decision to leave women in danger.

I urge you to support these reforms, and as my elected representative, I’m asking you to:
1) Raise these policy reforms in your party room meeting and work with your colleagues to secure urgent commitments, including in the next Budget. 
2) Raise these reforms in Question Time, and ask every party and parliamentarian to publicly commit to support these necessary reforms.
3) Express your support for these reforms publicly by sharing them on your social media, and speaking to the media about your support.

These reforms are about the safety of constituents in your electorate. They present an opportunity to move towards a future where we can all live, work and learn without constant fear of violence.

I look forward to hearing how you plan to progress the opportunities these reforms present, and how you intend to act for the safety of all women and survivors of gendered violence.

Sincerely,

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