No More rally at Newcastle Museum

 BY JOHN THOMAS

Today (Friday 26 April, 2024) outside Newcastle Museum a rally is being held as part of a national protest is calling on politicians to take action on violence against women.

29 Women have already died at the hands of men this year, and with the recent events of Bondi Junction still in public memory, organizations and activists across Australia have united to say 'No More'.

This national event created by What You Were Wearing Australia CEO Sarah Williams says "Enough is enough and it has been for a long time. We need more action from politicians, and we need them to take these crimes more seriously. In 2012, two men were killed and it triggered a whole new law", she said.

The rally starts at 6.00pm.

Healing Groups Launched For Local Sexual Violence Survivors

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

Newcastle not-for-profit organisation 'What Were You Wearing?' has announced it's new free support services available for survivors of sexual violence.

It involves healing groups, which will be monitored by a counsellor or registered psychologist, helping survivors to come together, connect, learn healing techniques, and encourage emotional safety.

Founder Sarah Williams says, "as of October last year, Newcastle didn't have any support services for victims of sexual violence".

"Trained professionals are able to offer support, but they're also able to ensure that everyone's boundaries and confidentiality is respected."

"The first healing technique focuses on journaling and the importance of this."

To register for What Were You Wearing's Healing Groups you can head to their website.

Image: Supplied

Newcastle Drink Spiking Petition Heads To Parliament

 BY IAN CROUCH

Less than a month after securing 20,000 signatures on a Newcastle petition calling for reforms to Responsible Service of Alcohol Laws, state parliament set to debate drink spiking this week.

Newcastle-based What Were You Wearing launched the petition calling for all security and bar staff at nightclubs to be trained on drink spiking and sexual violence prevention.

It followed a rise in reported cases in recent months.

The petition has the support of Newcastle MP, Tim Crackanthorp, who will lead the debate on Thursday. 

Drink spiking petition to be debated in parliament this week Picture: The Independent

What Were You Wearing Petition Tabled in Parliament

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Yesterday, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp tabled a petition in Parliament calling on the government to mandate drink spiking and sexual violence training for all licensed venue staff in NSW. 

Last financial year, Newcastle accounted for the second highest number of spiking reports in NSW. 

The petition was created by Hunter-based advocacy group What Were You Wearing, targeting the growing number of drink spiking cases in the region. 

The petition garnered a mass of support from the local community, reaching over 20,000 signatures.

Tim Crakanthorp said the issue needs to properly be addressed. 

"The petition calls for spiking prevention kits, educational resources, and posters in venues to promote patron safety and awareness," he said. 

"The whole idea of What Were You Wearing is aimed at reducing the stigma put on victims."

What Were You Wearing Media Vice President Marcie Cheers said they've reached some remarkable milestones but there's still more to be done. 

"It's the first step in a very long battle, we've definitely hit some amazing goals, but its not over yet; it's over to the politicians now to decide the fate of drink spiking and sexual assault training," she said. 

Tim Crakanthorp says the matter should be debated in the next month. 

20,000 Signatures Makes History

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Newcastle Woman of the Year, Sarah Williams, has become one the youngest people in NSW to have a petition debated in state parliament. 

The 22-year-old What Were You Wearing founder has successfully reached 20,000 signatures on a petition to mandate training on drink spiking and sexual violence. 

Sarah said the team worked for weeks to spread the petition through the local community and across the state. 

"I'm immensely proud of the team for their efforts in pushing the petition," she said. 

"My younger self would never have imagined something like this. The campaign hasn't been easy, but it's been through the overwhelming help of the community that I've been able to push through." 

The petition aims to reform RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) training to ensure all security and bar staff at nightclubs are properly trained in drink spiking and sexual violence prevention. 

What Were You Wearing Media Vice President, Marcie Cheers, said it's just the first step in a long road ahead. 

"We've definitely hit some amazing goals, but its not over yet, it's over to the politicians now to decide the fate of drink spiking and sexual assault training," she said. 

The not-for-profit organisation has been pushing to reform RSA training in licensed venues across NSW and the Hunter since 2021, and launched the petition at the end of last year. 

Sarah said the What Were You Wearing team is amazed by the support of the community and is excited to move forward with the next step. 

"This petition will save lives, and we plan to embed on a national level very soon," she said. 

It's expected the petition will be debated in Parliament sometime in June.  

Merewether Protest to Call For Action on Sexual and Domestic Violence

BY BLAKE QUINN & PETER HYSLOP

Merewether baths will become a centre for activism at 4:30pm this Saturday as not for profit What Where You Wearing hosts a protest calling for action against domestic and sexual violence.

First of its kind, the protest embraces a unique approach of standing on the spot as a form of resistance to raise awareness on domestic and sexual abuse, which continues to affect the lives of many in the Hunter and Newcastle area.

Spokesperson Marcie Cheers says the protest can be both a positive experience for survivors, and draw attention to safety in Newcastle's nightlife.

"In Australia at the moment and from year to date there have been multiple deaths because of domestic violence and sexual assault," she said.

"Unfortunately this is not our first protest on this topic, and this is definitely not going to be our last.

"The reason why we're doing it at the baths is so at the end we can jump into the water and it can be kind of like a metaphor for washing away all the negativity for survivors," she said.

Attendees will hear from a number of distinguished speakers presenting their personal experiences, and they're set to host discussions relating to Indigenous rights, social injustice, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people living with disabilities.

The organization also wants signatures on a petition to have mandatory drink spiking training for all bar and security staff.

"Newcastle is one of the most reported areas in Australia for drink spiking," Cheers said.

"At the end of the day we just want safety for everyone on a night out and we shouldn't have to worry about putting our drinks down or getting harassed by other people," she said.

Image: Supplied

Advocate and Victim Survivor Named Newcastle Local Woman of the Year

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

What Were You Wearing? (WWYW) founder Sarah Williams has been named as the 2023 Newcastle Local Woman of the Year.

A victim-survivor herself, Sarah has organised rallies attended by thousands of people, has collected more than 20,000 stories from survivors, organsied the first ever survivor advocates group within universities, and aired the first ever exhibition on sexual assault awareness in Australia. 

It also comes after WWYW recently launched a state-wide campaign to tackle drink spiking across the Hunter and NSW, backed by Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. 

Ms Williams said he is hopeful her work is making change possible. 

"You don't really see people like myself getting awards or getting recognised, so I think the award is not only for me, but it's for all survivors," she said. 

Ms Williams also said there's still more to be done in the domestic violence space, and has plans to start survival workshops, as well as a once-a-week helpline for victims. 

University of Newcastle Survivors Take a Stand Against Violence

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A University of Newcastle student has founded the institution's first survivor-run advisory advocates group. 

21 year-old Sarah Williams is a child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault survivor, third-year law and communications student, and an advocate for survivors across the region and country. 

She previously founded What Were You Wearing, an education, awareness and advocacy organisation run by sexual violence survivors. 

Ms Williams said the Survivors Advocates Advisory Board will provide a diverse insight into the lived experience of the survivor. 

"I only want the group to go ahead if it has First Nations people on it, people living with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ identifying people, because as we know from statistics, those three groups are disproportionally affected by sexual violence, and particularly sexual violence on campus," Ms Williams said. 

The group of 10 student survivors will meet once a month to discuss how to support victims and combat violence on campus. 

They will be joined by a trauma-informed psychologist at meetings to provide support on potentially triggering issues, and are assured the group will be a safe and confidential space. 

The establishment of the group comes after the latest National Student Safety Survey revealed almost one in five UON students had been sexually harassed since starting their studies. 

It also aligns with the Federal Government's announcement today, it will launch the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. 

The 10-year plan is underpinned by six principles, one of which involves working with victim-survivors to develop policies and solutions.

Ms Williams said she's excited to see higher-ups working with survivors to find solutions, and she already has suggestions for the University to implement. 

"Being able to have that voice is really powerful. You feel like you're able to assist in making change. It also makes you believe that the government actually does want to make change and they don't want to continue to see the statistics that we continue seeing, which is really great," she said. 

"I'd love to see more consent education brought out in the University to regular students, rather than just student residents. Currently you do a consent module, but that's just once when you do your degree and it's nothing at all; it's very outdated in our opinion." 

Applications to become one of the 10 survivor advocates are open to anyone who will be studying at the University in 2023 (including current Year 12 students) and will close on the 24th of October. 

More information can be found on the What Were You Wearing website. 

The University of Newcastle has established its first Survivors Advocates Advisory Board for sexual violence survivors. 

Child Protection Week draws to a close with Hunter panel

BY EMILY WILLIAMS 

Local organisation What Were You Wearing is presenting a panel on the importance of safeguarding children this evening.

The event, which will be held at the University of Newcastle's City Campus, comes as Child Protection Week draws to a close.

The theme of this year's Child Protection Week is 'every child, in every community, needs a fair go', part of a push to make sure children in Australia are growing up safe and supported.

What Were You Wearing Australia Founder Sarah Williams says the panel will be a great source of education for parents and community members.  

"We're trying to get the community together to work on ending child abuse and neglect," she said.

The event also falls on Bravehearts Day (formerly Bravehearts White Balloon Day), which aims to raise awareness of and prevent the sexual abuse of children. 

The recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that 1 in 5 children will experience sexual assault.

Guest speakers at the event will include Vicki Weller from Disability Advocacy NSW, Sharon Grimmond from Newcastle Sexual Assault Service, and Hillary Milton from Child Abuse Protection Service Newcastle (CAPS).

What Were You Wearing is a survivor-run community organisation working to provide awareness and education across the country and advocate against sexual assault. 

Tickets to this evening's panel are $20 or $15 for concessions and can be bought here. You can find more information on the panel on What Were You Wearing's social medial channels.