It stopped me in my tracks.
A statement so clear and so chilling, it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Violence against women is the most prevalent human rights violation in Australia and the world.”
The room was already quiet. An audience of two-hundred plus people listening intently.
The speaker was uniquely qualified to make such a statement.
Jennifer Robinson – who spent her childhood on the NSW’s south coast and her adulthood in the world’s premier universities, the most prestigious legal chambers, and the highest courts on the planet – then provided evidence.
That 1 in 3 women suffer sexual violence, while 1 in 4 suffer domestic violence.
That is Australia’s shame. The world’s shame.
Despite an evening that focused on difficult and sometimes dark subject matters, there was such a sense of positivity for what is possible.
Jen Robinson embodies that.
Her speech “Breaking Silence, Building Change” was pointed, stark and empathetic. It touched on the major cases Jen has fought over the past decade.
It was a Saturday night in March, in Bendigo’s Capital Theatre.
ARC Justice had kindly asked me to lead the conversation and the audience Q&A.
It was a terrific discussion which included moments of such joy, deep anger, also humour, humility, and ultimately hope.
Several times during her 35-minute speech Jen referred to the anger she felt at many different times in her career because of unfair systems, intransigent governments, disingenuous critics, and the hate of misogynists.
So Many F-ing Misogynists.
But each transgression inspired her to write. To act. To use her legal skills, her intellect, and her extensive network.
Each aggression, each injustice, and every single outrageous abuse of power just added to the rage. It fuelled the determination.
We should all seek to channel our inner Jen Robinson.
While Jen has represented some big names – Julian Assange, Amber Heard – her work on human rights, particularly relating to women, are relevant to women everywhere.
Justice is hard and oftentimes unfair, no matter where you are.
The folks at ARC Justice know better than anyone that in small towns across Australia women face acute challenges in accessing services that are already overwhelmed and often far from home.
It’s tricky too when everyone knows your business, and advocating for yourself and breaking a cycle of violence can be particularly dangerous.
Jen urged us to look around and try to identify the women within our communities who might be experiencing FV and to simply show up. Be kind. Be there.
While we can’t all be globe-trotting, kickarse human rights lawyers, each and everyone of us does have something to contribute to the greater good.
We just need to be brave enough to do it.
A selfie back stage!
(Karen Percy, left, and Jennifer Robinson, right)
Women are frightened of men’s anger because they might be harmed or killed.
Men are frightened by women’s anger because it threatens their privilege.
It’s as simple as that.
There are many answers to addressing these issues.
Improved funding and better resourcing, of course, are key to ensuring women get the legal support they need, and that advocates like ARC Justice can push for the reforms that are needed to address the considerable issues their clients are dealing with – violence, housing insecurity, debts, climate-change induced emergencies.
The ARC Justice event was brave and bold. It was risky. But this is exactly what is needed at a time when everything decent and fair is under threat.
I commend the team at ARC Justice – the leaders, lawyers, advocates, and others who day in and day out deal with the challenges of a justice system that alienates women at best, and damages them at worst. So, a big thanks to CEO Damian Stock and his leadership team for hosting a hard, heavy, yet hopeful conversation.
I have been fortunate to work alongside Jennifer Robinson on media freedom matters, the wrongful prosecution of Julian Assange, and now women and justice. She is a powerhouse of knowledge and energy.
My heartiest thanks and praise must go to Erin Delahunty, who – just like Jen – saw what was possible and set out to make it happen. She is making a huge difference at ARC Justice.
Some great women right here, including Erin Delahunty from ARC Justice.
You can make a difference!
If this has inspired you – as it did the men and women in the room that night – there are things you can do.
Talk about these issues. They are uncomfortable, but as Jen told us, we must be able to have these tough conversations.
Contact the decision makers – MPs, bureaucrats, councillors – and let them know that you want better access and safer systems for women, and others who struggle with the justice system.
Contact local organisations and see what help they need.
Follow ARC Justice’s work on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Share it, like it!
And of course, helping financially is always welcome.
Donate to ARC Justice so that Damian and his team can continue their great work!
Donations
Donate to the Grata Fund – a fund set up by Jennifer Robinson and others to fund legal actions that “break systemic gridlocks across human rights, climate action and democratic freedoms.”
https://www.gratafund.org.au/donate