Police and our justice system have got to pass the pub test and quickly

Illawarra Mercury – Karen Iles Reading the media coverage of the Police and Department of Prosecutions Inquiry into the handling of the trial of Bruce Lehrmann one thing jumped out at me this week. The submissions of Mark Tedeschi SC in his representation of Shane Drumgold, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions. Tedeschi pointed out […]
Inside the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference

ABC Illawarra – Kelly Fuller A passionate call has gone out for a greater focus on recovery and healing as momentum grows for prevention and crisis support for victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence. More than 350 people gathered for the inaugural Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference in Wollongong this week. […]
Illawarra women still being told abortion is illegal by some doctors: health advocate

Illawarra Mercury – Kate McIlwain More than three years after abortion was decriminalised, some Illawarra women are still being told by health workers that the procedure is illegal, reproductive health advocates say. Through her community liaison role at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Miranda Batchelor sees around five women a day – up from an […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre up for the fight on behalf of all women

Illawarra Mercury – Judy Daunt For over 35 years, the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has supported girls and women to understand and address their health needs. We provide this service in a professional, caring and empowering way. We assist all women who walk through our door, regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality or ability and they […]
Why the digital space is important for women and equality

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon So much of modern life is lived in the digital space: we use it for work, education, banking, communicating and more. Yet 259 million fewer women have access to the internet than men worldwide, while a study of 51 countries revealed 38 per cent of women had experienced online violence. […]
‘Let down’: Uncertainty over land promised for women’s trauma recovery centre

Illawarra Mercury – Kate McIlwain Women’s health advocate Sally Stevenson says she feels “let down” by the NSW Government amid a rising domestic violence health crisis, and is concerned negotiations regarding the land for a world-first trauma recovery centre have stalled. Ms Stevenson said she felt there was “very real risk” the government would not […]
Labor MPs pledge to fund women’s health centres ‘in crisis’

Illawarra Mercury – Rosie Bensley The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre would benefit from a $2.1 million funding injection under a state Labor government, local MPs have promised. Member for Keira and Shadow Health Minister Ryan Park committed to boost funding for 20 women’s health centres across the state, including in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Mr […]
2023 requires grit, and where there’s grit there is a sprinkling of hope

Illawarra Mercury – Sally Stevenson AM It would be easy to start 2023 feeling pessimistic about the world, especially the future for women and girls. Let me count the ways. Firstly, this year we saw women’s and girls’ human rights continue to be crushed in Afghanistan. This month, the Taliban added a ban on women […]
‘This is why women pull out of the criminal justice system’: Sally Stevenson

Illawarra Mercury The decision to discontinue the case against an alleged rapist in a high-profile sexual assault matter is not uncommon, one Illawarra women’s advocate says. Quite the opposite, Sally Stevenson, the general manager of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre believes. The ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC announced the move on Friday […]
Business case shows Illawarra Women’s Health Centre needs $1.2 million

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon A new business case indicates the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is providing $1.2 million worth of essential services on less than $600,000 of funding, as the organisation looks to establish a second site in the region’s northern suburbs. The Women’s Health NSW report delivered to Health Minister Brad Hazzard this […]