The Hon. Verity Firth, Minister for Women met with representatives of 42 NSW peak women’s organisations on Tuesday 19 February 2008, 1.30 pm – 3.30pm.

At the previous meeting in September attendees identified violence as a key issue for women, so Ms Vicki D’Adam, Assistant Director General, Department of Premier and Cabinet was invited to address this topic at the meeting on 19 February 2008.

Ms D’Adam provided an overview of a new approach to domestic and family violence, based on the Government’s review of its Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women - click here to open report. A New Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women handout attached - click here to open attachment .

Karen Willis, Manager, Rape crisis Centre provided a peak women’s organisation’s perspective on the strategy announced.

The Minister for Women gave an update on her recent activities including regional consultations where the key issues recurring are sexual assault services and domestic violence. The Minister also outlined some of the current projects the Office for Women is focusing on, the recruitment process for the vacant positions on the Premier’s Council for Women and activities planned for International Women’s Day and 2008 Woman of the Year Awards.

At this meeting representatives from peak women’s organisations were given an opportunity to ask questions of the Minister for Women and guest speaker, comment on their own organisation’s current activities and provide suggestions for the agenda at future meetings.

The next meeting is likely to be mid June 2008.

Click here to view notes from meeting held 13 September 2007