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Living in remote, regional and rural areas can often mean being geographically isolated from vital drug support services. In this article, Patrick O'Callaghan shares how things are changing in Dubbo, and where's next for localised drug support and reform.
Rather than continuing to punish drug use through criminalisation, which can exacerbate the ongoing impacts of trauma on peoples’ lives, restorative justice approaches can respond to harm and trauma through care.
At the start of 2021, we find ourselves in the middle of another harmful public debate about the rights of trans and gender diverse children simply to be themselves. The NSW One Nation Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020, which is currently open for public comment, would deny children in our community the right to be seen, to be protected, and to be treated with integrity by schools and teachers.
Early on in the COVID-19 health crisis, as the first cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Australia and its seriousness became clearer, we knew the pandemic would have an impact on everyone across our communities, but renting households would be particularly vulnerable.
The gambling industry in New South Wales, particularly the poker machine sector, is extremely influential.
What needs to change in the justice system to improve safety for victims of gendered violence?
Women are already bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s negative impacts and will continue to do so long into the future.
The traditional criminal legal system is failing survivors of sexual violence.
People living in regional, rural and remote communities are 24 times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of family and domestic violence than people living in major cities.
Up to 70% of domestic violence victims-survivors report abuse of a companion or other animal by the perpetrator. The Animal Defenders Office considers options for reform to provide greater protection to those suffering abuse and domestic violence, both human and animal.
The economic effects of COVID-19 have already been devastating, but the worst may be yet to come as aftershocks ripple through the country in the coming months. This will likely be particularly devastating for people who need support from the social security system.