This is the incredible story of Joice NanKivell Loch, a Queensland-born writer and humanitarian who smuggled thousands of Polish Jews out of Romania.
Today, Joice is considered one of this country’s most unsung heroes. With 11 medals from Australia, Greece, Poland, Romania and Britain, the writer-turned-humanitarian remains Australia’s most decorated woman.
Source: Joice Loch: the Australian hero who saved thousands from the Nazis.
As a society, we have to ask whether our resources should be used to assist the healing of victims rather than criminal court processes.
[T]here are hundreds of prisoners in Australia convicted on the uncorroborated evidence of complainants, where there was an open possibility of innocence that was rejected by the jury.
The only reason they are languishing there, and Pell is no longer, is because they do not have the funds nor fame to appeal to the high court in the manner Pell did. And in those rare cases where they are able to attempt it, they are extremely unlikely to be granted special leave to appeal.
It is entirely appropriate that an accused can be convicted on the uncorroborated evidence of a complainant. After all, most sexual offences are committed in circumstances where it is only the complainant and the accused present. Where there is other potentially credible evidence to challenge that account, the jury must apply the high standard of proof to reach their verdict.
Pell will still likely face his accuser in a civil lawsuit. It may be that victims of historical child sexual abuse will prefer to seek their justice in the civil courts alone or at first instance, where the standard of proof is on the balance of probabilities, rather than beyond reasonable doubt.
Journalist Jess Hill has won the 2020 Stella Prize for her non-fiction book ‘Look What You Made Me Do’, a profound & searing examination of domestic abuse.
Source: Journalist Jess Hill wins 2020 Stella Prize for See What You Made Me Do
A magistrate who suggested a rape victim had “buyer’s remorse” acted with bias and reinforced outdated stereotypes about sex crimes, a major investigation has concluded.
In a separate incident, Mr Pithouse was found to make victim-blaming comments to another woman who was at the centre of a domestic violence matter.
Well, it’s her right to get beaten up if she wants to, I suppose’’
– Magistrate Richard Pithouse, speaking about a victim of domestic violence during a bail application
Source: Judicial Commission rules on ‘buyer’s remorse’ Magistrate Pithouse
Exclusive: Marie Stopes Australia says it only has two weeks worth of face masks left as orders are cancelled in the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia’s largest abortion provider says its supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for carrying out surgical abortions will only last two more weeks after a number of orders from private personal protective equipment (PPE) providers were cancelled or refused in the coronavirus pandemic.
In one instance, a private company cancelled an order from Marie Stopes Australia (MSA) on the basis it was reserving supplies for “health professionals”.
Debbie Kilroy’s experience with COVID-19 has left her desperately concerned for those in overcroweded prisons across Australia.
Source: Debbie Kilroy has recovered from COVID-19 & is concerned for those in our overcrowded prisons
The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the surface the myriad ways in which men’s violence against women manifests. In particular, the increased consumption of material that makes sexualised violence not only acceptable, but desirable, feeds into the ongoing pandemic of men’s violence against women — a pandemic that will still be with us long after the COVID-19 crisis has passed.
Free childcare was one of the goals of second wave feminism, when we took up the cause of gender equity in the 70s. It seemed logical, because children need access to other children and expert care to develop the skills that parents can’t provide, and allowed particularly mothers, as the primary carer, time for paid work and other activities. After all, child rearing was not intended to be the sole responsibility of parents but a community: “it takes a village to rear a child”.
There’s a big benefit for the government by the reduction in the numbers of unemployed on jobkeeker payments. Low-paid female workers are likely to remain in their vital jobs, as will others who are still employed.
This brief glimpse of free care will raise expectations that are unlikely to be met when these one-offs are withdrawn.
Maybe the brief experience of thousands of users of the temporary model will create the demand for a serious revolution in this (and other) community services.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Chief Justice Will Alstergren of the Family Court of Australia – who is also the Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia – recognised that parents are “naturally deeply concerned” about the safety of their children in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and will be even more worried about how it will impact upon a parent’s or carer’s ability to comply with parenting orders.
In the highly unusual circumstances now faced by Australian parents and carers, Alstergren CJ continued, there may be situations that arise “that make strict compliance with current court orders very difficult, if not, impossible”.
“This may be caused, for instance, where orders stipulate that contact with a parent occurs at a designated contact centre, which may not currently be operating. Or, the “pick-up” arrangements of a child may nominate a particular school, and that school is now closed. Many state borders are also closed. In addition, there may be genuine safety issues that have arisen whereby one parent, or someone in close contact with that parent, has been exposed to COVID-19, and this may restrict the safe movement of a child from one house to another,” his honour reflected.
“If the parties are unable to agree to vary the arrangement, or if it is unsafe to do so, and one or both parents continue to have real concerns, the parties are at liberty to approach the court electronically and seek a variation of the orders.”
“Also, during this period of dispute, parents should ensure that each parent or carer continues to have some contact with the children consistent with the parenting arrangements such as by videoconferencing, social media, or if that is not possible, by telephone,” his honour said.
At all times, parents or carers must act reasonably, Alstergren CJ reflected.
Source: Compliance with parenting orders may become ‘very difficult, if not impossible’ – Lawyers Weekly
Women are essential to the response, we can’t ignore one half of the population.
Source: Coronavirus response must intentionally include women’s input
