Australian Human Rights Commission
Submission to the CEDAW Committee – 12 June 2018
the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, Progress and Priorities Report (2017). At:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-socialjustice/publications/close-gap-progress-0 (viewed 21 May 2018); Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander, Social Justice Commissioner, Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities: Key issues (June 2006) Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission, 5–6. 22–31. At
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/family_violence2006.pdf
(viewed 30 May 2018).
22 Article 19, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, GA Res 61/295, UN
GAOR, 61st sess, 107th plen mtg, Supp No 49, UN Doc A/Res/61/295 (13 September 2007).
23 Australian Human Rights Commission, A National System for Domestic and Family Violence Death
Review (2017), 12. At
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/AHRC_2016_12_19_Expandi
ng_DV_Death_Review.pdf (viewed 30 May 2018).
24 Australian Human Rights Commission, Working without fear: Results of the Sexual Harassment
National Telephone Survey (2012), 12. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/sexdiscrimination/projects/working-without-fear-results-sexual-harassment-national (viewed 30 May
2018).
25 Australian Human Rights Commission, Working without fear: Results of the Sexual Harassment
National Telephone Survey (2012), 12. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/sexdiscrimination/projects/working-without-fear-results-sexual-harassment-national (viewed 30 May
2018).
26 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Trends in hospitalised injury, Australia 1999–00 to 2014–
15 (2018) 97. At https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/03743fe9-1ed1-4fe8-9a66-0808405be319/aihwinjcat-190.pdf.aspx?inline=true (viewed 22 May 2018).
27 The Department of Social Services’ Baseline Valuation Report stated that about 1,500 females
entered the system as young parents between the ages of 14 and 18 during 2015. This group is
estimated to have an average lifetime welfare cost of approximately $540,000. See Department of
Social Services: Baseline Valuation – Final Report (2016), 114. At: https://www.dss.gov.au/baselinevaluation-report-0 (viewed 30 May 2018).
28 Kate Butler et al, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Experiences
and Aspirations of Younger Mothers (2010), 40. At:
http://www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/research/about_us/research_centres_-and_institutes/institute_of_child_protection_studies/our_work/current_previous_work/completed_2010/und
erstanding_younger_mothers/?a=464607 (viewed 30 May 2018).
29 The Association of Women Educators, What it Takes: Supporting pregnant and parenting young
people (2010), 29. At http://www.awe.asn.au/drupal/sites/default/files/what_it_takes.pdf (viewed 30
May 2018).
30 Australian Human Rights Commission, Children’s Rights Report 2017 (2018). At:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/childrens-rights/publications/childrens-rights-report-2017
(viewed 13 May 2018).
31 Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, Parliament of Australia, Involuntary or coerced
sterilisation of people with disability in Australia (2013). At
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Involuntary_S
terilisation/~/media/Committees/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/involuntary_sterilisation/first_report/report
.ashx (viewed 30 May 2018); Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission No 5 to Senate
Standing Committee on Community Affairs, Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of people with disability
in Australia (20 November 2012). At http://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=3d3c9b64-7a594e30-bd96-e38d52fe85c8&subId=16108 (viewed 30 May 2018).
In its Submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee on the involuntary or
coerced sterilisation of people with disabilities in Australia (2012), the Commission made
recommendations that:
National legislation be enacted to criminalise involuntary or forced sterilisation—except when
there are serious threats to life or health.
Criminalising removing a child or adult with disability from Australia with the intent of having them
sterilised overseas.
Establishing a national system to monitor the number of applications and orders made for
sterilisation.
Improving education regarding the sexual and reproductive rights of people with disability in
Australia and the rights enshrined in the CRPD.
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