For International Women's Day 2016, I was part of a group of women who performed a flashmob in and around Perth and Fremantle, WA.
Other videos of the flashmobs can be seen here, here and here.
Australia's offshore immigration detention centres are referred to as "black sites" by a group of researchers (http://researchersagainstpacificblacksites.org/) because of their lack of effective state oversight and accountability, and the impunity afforded those responsible for violence committed by those in charge. The facilities have come under scrutiny from numerous sources - from reports by asylum-seekers themselves - to activists, advocates and journalists - and whistle-blowing by former members of staff, to reports compiled by the United Nations, Amnesty International and Australian parliamentary enquiries.
Immigration ministers and other leading government figures' public statements have been exposed as lies. When it comes to violence, including sexual violence, against women and children, the minister was advised before women and children were sent to the Nauru centre that there was not adequate protection for them there. As reports began to emerge of assault and rape, the government's first response was denial and downplaying of the extent of the problem.
When government ministers speak of ending violence against women, we want to ensure that women Australia is responsible for - but which the government seems determined to keep out of sight and out of mind - are not forgotten. Rape culture and violence against women are an issue for everyone and much needs to be done in every domain of public and private life. To be serious about ending violence against women, the mandatory detention of asylum seekers and refugees - unsafe for women, unsafe for anyone - must end, and asylum-seekers who make it to Australian territory must be provided with meaningful support while their claims for asylum are processed.
