It is important that the voices of those within the Defence and Veteran community are heard. 

We know far too little about gender-based violence within the Defence and Veteran community. We know it exists, we know that women who experience it are at times silenced by the system or struggle to know where to turn, what to do or even recognise that the behaviour they are experiencing is not okay. We need to know more so that we can help. 

The Australian Government is developing the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 (National Plan) to replace the existing National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. 

It is important that the voices of those within the Defence and Veteran community are heard and featured in this National Plan. 

The Draft National Plan is now available and open for consultation. We encourage all of those within our community to participate in the consultation. We are here to help you. 

Consultation options:

• Complete the Department of Social Services online survey
• Write to the Department of Social Services directly
• Write to us about your experiences and views from a defence and military perspective to our CEO Renee Wilson rwilson@warwidowsnsw.com.au by 24 February 2022. We will add them to our own response. Your information will be kept and stored by Australian War Widows NSW in accordance with privacy regulations and will be deidentified in our response unless you choose otherwise
• Consultation closes 25 February 2022. 

We know that family, domestic and sexual violence can be difficult topics to discuss and relive through engaging with this consultation. Your safety and wellbeing are important. If you or someone you know needs help or support at any time, contact one of the services below: 

• In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
• 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for family, domestic and sexual violence matters
• Lifeline 13 11 14 for crisis support and suicide prevention
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 for support with anxiety, depression and suicide prevention
• MensLine 1300 789 978 for support for men with family and relationship concerns
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Image: Department of Social Services

The post Have your say and help shape a future free from gender-based violence first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

For the first time in the history of the Australian Defence Force, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) recommends that the family of a member who dies in service or has suffered serious injury, be recognised by a Memorial Star or Gratitude Star emblem, pending endorsement from the Government.

These are two of four new forms of recognition recommended by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, yet to be endorsed and implemented by the Government.

AWWNSW advocates for veteran families

Australian War Widows NSW Ltd (AWWNSW) sought the views of its members and veteran community to write a submission to the Tribunal for an inquiry into the recognition of Australian Defence Force members and families wounded or killed as a result of service.

These views helped shape a case by AWWNSW to the Tribunal stating that families deserve greater and common recognition across Defence that would also help to unite the community of those affected by death and injury in service. The submission sought the Tribunal to consider recognition for veterans, including deceased veterans, to be medallic in nature. These views were supported by other contributors from the veteran community.

“Recognition at its core, is not only acknowledging the validity of something, but also about identifying those with like experiences. It is a positive and powerful influence in the veteran community. It enables acceptance, conversations, community identification and help seeking.

We are very pleased and proud that our submission to the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has been recognised in some of the recommendations put forward”

Renee Wilson, Chief Executive Officer Australian War Widows NSW Ltd.

Our nation currently acknowledges the wounding, injury or death of members of the Australian Defence Force through essential care, compensation and support. None are currently reflected in a medallic form of recognition as a suitable solemn and individual emblem of gratitude*.

Under Recommendation 1, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal endorse the institution of new forms of medallic and emblematic recognition including:

• a Memorial Star – A full size brooch-like emblem of a uniquely Australian design that recognises the sacrifice of the family of a member of the ADF or veteran who dies in service or whose death is service related; and
• a Gratitude Star – A full size brooch-like emblem of uniquely Australian design to recognise the sacrifice of the family of the member or veteran who has suffered a serious wound, serious injury or serious disease in or as a result of service.

These and other proposed recommendations are sought retrospectively for services brought about in, or as a result of, service after 2 September 1945. Read the full recommendation here.

AWWNSW submission

The AWWNSW submission also noted that there should be no differentiation between the circumstances that gave rise to the death, injury or wounding during service; and that Australia could lead the world in reducing the stigma surrounding veterans’ mental and moral injuries and illnesses.

Renee Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Australian War Widows NSW appeared at a public hearing in relation to the submission and recalled the impact of service on veterans’ families – those affected many years after service, and those missing their loved ones from war or sadly from suicide.

The definition of family

Much like AWWNSW has broadened its definition of family, so too has the Tribunal. In their letter of transmission, the Defence Honours & Awards Appeals states “Family” should be defined flexibly so as to recognise the changed and changing nature of family structures in modern society and cultural sensitivities and should include:

• biological, adoptive, step and foster parents;
• de jure and de facto spouses of any gender;
• biological, adopted, step and foster children;
• all other blood relatives or relatives by marriage; and
• other persons for whom a member has expressed a family-like relationship in their will or similar document.

Veteran families bare an enormous burden for Australia. The role of families is critical when it comes to supporting the Australian Defence Force and its operations. It is a lifelong role that does not end when that member is no longer in service due to death, wounding, injury or illness. This emblematic recognition of our nation’s gratitude serves as acknowledgement of this burden.

Australian War Widows NSW is a 75-year-old organisation that has represented the interests of women impacted by defence service. With a recently expanded charter, AWWNSW provides support and advocacy to women and family members related to the veteran community. AWWNSW provides a voice for members and veteran community to ensure their views are represented across areas that impact upon them.

* Australian Government, Defence Honours & Awards Appeals Tribunal, Recognising their sacrifice, Letter of Transmission 

The post Tribunal recommendations recognise the sacrifices made by veterans’ families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

AWW NSW advocates for the needs of all women and families of veterans connected to defence service. We provide a voice for our members and community, ensuring that their views are represented across all areas that impact upon them.

AWW NSW welcomes any inquiry that examines the causes, issues and systems that impact upon veterans and their families. With the rate of veteran suicide more than twice the national average, and even higher for female veterans, it is important that critical lessons are learned and applied in a coordinated effort.

Consistent with our other submissions, and upon consultation with our members and veteran community, AWW NSW believes the following core issues ought to be considered in the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission:

• The need for the entire veteran support system to be examined.
• The need for suicide attempts and patterns of dangerous and risky behaviour.
• The need for experiences to be examined and compared to the policy framework.
• The need to examine the powerful cultural influences that can have negative consequences for both veterans and their families.
• The level of regulatory oversight of veteran’s treatment and access the means to harm oneself (including pharmaceuticals).
• The duty of care of all entities within the veteran support system to intervene when cases of dangerous or risky behaviour or other risk factors pertaining to suicide, and self-harm are bought to their attention.
• The efficacy of treatments and diagnosis of mental health conditions impacting veterans.
• The need to support the families of veterans before, during and after instances of ill health/ suicide.
• The need to ensure strong accountability in the delivery of royal commission findings and implementation of recommendations.

Our submission is on behalf of our community and represents their voices. We will continue to represent the interests of those impacted by Defence and Veteran suicide.

For more information or enquiries, contact AWW NSW CEO Renee Wilson rwilson@warwidowsnsw.com.au

The post Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

We recently asked for your views to help us write our submission to the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal for an inquiry into the recognition for Australian Defence Force members and families injured, wounded or killed as a result of service.

Your views helped us present a convincing case to the Tribunal. Here, we argued families deserve greater recognition for the support that they offer, and that Australia could lead the world in reducing the stigma surrounding veterans’ mental and moral injuries and illnesses.

We are extremely proud to continue the history of advocacy that has long been in our organisation.

The post Recognising veterans and families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

With the rate of veteran suicide more than twice the national average, and even higher for female veterans, it is important that critical lessons are learned and applied in a coordinated effort.

The matter of veteran suicide is complex and one that involves all segments of the veteran support ecosystem. All organisations, government and non-government, have a role to play in reducing the instances of suicide and in equipping veterans and their families with the skills that they need to manage their mental health, the impacts of trauma and Service.

The impacts of both suicide and ill mental health on veteran’s families are significant. We must do all we can to support them to limit the instances and effects of suicide, and mental illness on the whole family unit.

AWW NSW will continue to advocate for the needs of all women and families of veterans connected to defence service. We provide a voice for our members and ensure their views are represented across all policy domains that impact them.

To all members of the veteran community, it is important for you to know that you are not alone, you are worthy of support and assistance, we are here for you now and into the future.

If you, or someone you know needs help, contact:

• Triple zero if you feel like you may hurt yourself or someone else – 000
• Open Arms – 1800 011 046
• SafeZone Support – 1800 142 072
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line – 1800 628 036
• 1800RESPECT, National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732
• Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
• MensLine Australia –1300 789 978
• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
• ReachOut – au.reachout.com

Enquiries to be directed to Renee Wilson, Chief Executive Officer Australian War Widows NSW Ph: 02 9267 6577.

The post Support for Inquiry into Veteran Suicide first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.