4 September 2025

With the 5th World Conference of Women's Shelters almost upon us, we'll be taking a short break from publishing Round Up. We hope to see you at the conference - it's not too late to register, and it's not just for shelters but for all people working to end gender-based violence! If you haven't already, please have a look at the program.

Round Up will be back in October.

• New measures will be introduced to reform the special circumstances debt waiver which will give Services Australia extended powers to waive social security debts that have been incurred as a result of domestic and family violence.
• Husic rebukes PM’s assertion ‘good people’ went to March for Australia rallies as Nampijinpa Price walks back immigration claim.
• A neo-Nazi group has violently assaulted people at a First Nations protest site.
• Ballarat leading the way for Respectful Relationships.
• Domestic violence survivor fears Northern Territory's move to legalise public use of pepper spray.
• Rallies to demand federal action over NT’s 'human rights crisis'.
• ‘Stop killing women’: Australian mother vows to be voice for slain daughter.
• ABC Listen: Police in Queensland to have power to issue 'on-the-spot' domestic violence orders.
• Queensland parliament passes laws allowing police to issue on-the-spot domestic violence orders to perpetrators.
• The NSW Government will review its decision to cut funding for critical domestic violence programs in Wagga.
• The NSW Government has launched a 10-year plan to strengthen the state’s domestic and family violence workforce.
• In the UK, more than 100 women’s rights groups condemn politicians and the media for spreading false claims about migrants while failing to back calls to fund actual support for sexual violence victims.
• Crimes against women and children have declined over the past year in Kazakhstan, a trend attributed to a sweeping new law on domestic violence.

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• When parental discipline is actually coercive control.
• Coercive control puts children at risk of mental illness later in life.
• AIFS has published Trauma-informed practice in family mental health support services.
• The UK College of Policing has published three new research reports examining police interventions designed to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG).
• In the UK more women were killed by their son than by a stranger, according to new figures from a campaign group looking at violence against women.
• Women who have experienced stalking were 40% more at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a US study.
• The Guardian writes Media defensiveness and outright denial have been on full display in response to anti-immigration protests.
• Baby Bonuses and Motherhood Medals: Why We Shouldn’t Trust the Pronatalist Movement.
• Blak Cede Gunyah is a café and reclaimed Aboriginal space that embodies Aboriginal women-led values, deep respect for Country, and sustainability.
• The Victorian Women's Trust writes Harmless entertainment? Deepfakes and the Rise of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

Events

• Registration is now open for the 5th Conference of Women’s Shelters (5WCWS), to be held in Sydney from 15-18 September 2025.
• ANROWS is inviting participation in a conversation on working ethically and respectfully with experts by experience in domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) research on 30 September 2025.
• The UNFPA and the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) is calling for participants in the upcoming Global Online Expert Roundtable: No More Stolen Sisters – Confronting Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls with Data, Dignity, and Justice.
• RMIT’s Grad Cert in Domestic & Family Violence invites you to a 1-day in person Policy and Practice Forum on Thursday 27th November 2025. Theme: Nine years after the Royal Commission - what has improved and what challenges remain?
  Find out more and register here.

Consultations

• The Australian Government is reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and is inviting submissions. Consultation is open until 24 October 2025.

Grants

• The Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future Program, administered by the WA Department of Communities, is now open for applications for the 2025–26 funding round, with $585,000 in funding available to support a variety of projects that will advance gender equality.

Training and development

• Wesnet is offering technology safety training for SADFV professionals. Follow the link for dates and training descriptions.

Share the latest Round Up with a colleague and encourage them to sign up here.

*Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of Wesnet and are included as items of interest only.

If you would like to submit an item please e-mail [email protected]. Inclusion is subject to time and content constraints.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.