THE DAMSEL’S HANDBOOK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY We acknowledge that our work takes place on the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that this land was stolen and sovereignty was never ceded. We recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Noongar people in this land and recognise that the pursuit for #eachforequal is incomplete without pursuing equality for Indigenous people.
WELCOME
TO THE UWA STUDENT GUILD WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT! The Women’s Club Committee was first established in 1912 and has continued to grow ever since. We evolved into a full-blown Department in 1975 in response to increasing demands by women students to have our needs catered for. Four major issues were selected in 1975: birth control, childcare, homosexuality and education. In 1984, despite being active on campus for years, the Department was abolished by the Guild. While the Women’s Officer role was retained, the Department was defunded and effectively rendered redundant. It was only with the backing of a supportive Guild Council in 1985 that we were able to regain our room, and score some funding through the Public Affairs Council. Finally, in 1990, we were reinstated as a Department before officially being given a vote in 1991. Today, the Women’s Department is active in many areas of university life. We run everything from free classes, to laid-back collective meetings, to huge themed weeks, and there is always something to get involved in. Women and non-binary people from all backgrounds and with any level of knowledge are welcomed and appreciated. The Women’s Department is here to support you. We have been active in making strides for women’s safety on campus, whether that be implementing Ask for Angela at the Tav, or pushing the university to improve lighting on campus year after year. The Women’s Officer is your advocate on campus to ensure women’s issues stay on the agenda to ensure our campus remain an inclusive and accessible space for all students. I’m really passionate about improving your experience on campus, if you’d like to catch up and have a chat you can find me in the Women’s Room on Wednesdays between 9am-10am. You can also reach out to me on email at womens@guild.uwa.edu.au Yours in slaying the patriarchy the way I slay my edges, Pauline Chiwawa
2020 Women’s Officer
COLLECTIVES Collectives are a fantastic way to make friends and find a welcoming community, and we have a bunch of them! You don’t have to formally join or pay a membership fee – it’s totally free and you can rock up any week you want. We do all types of things from learning to knit to chatting about feminism or current events. If that isn’t your thing, we also have Facebook groups to share resources, ask questions and find recommendations. UWA WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE This Collective is for everyone who identifies as a woman or as nonbinary. Collective meetings will be held in the Women’s Room on Level 2 of the Guild Building. You can also join the Women’s Collective Facebook group via the Women’s Department Facebook page. The 2020 Women’s Collective Convenor is Frances Lamont. UWA WOMEN OF COLOUR COLLECTIVE This Collective is for people of colour who identify as women or as non-binary. As with the Women’s Collective, it is held in the Women’s Room. The Women of Colour Collective group isn’t public, so you will need to ask an existing member to add you. Alternatively, you can message the Women of Colour Collective Convenors, Bethel Geda. UWA LGBT+ WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE This Collective is for women and non-binary people who also identify as LGBT+. It too is
held in the Women’s Room. This Collective’s Facebook group is also secret, so you will need to ask an existing member to add you. The 2020 LGBT+ Women’s Collective Convenor is Cheyeanne Henderson-Watkins. UWA WOMEN’S ACCESS COLLECTIVE This is for women and nonbinary students who have lived experience or are currently living with a disability, chronic illness or mental health condition. This Facebook group is available from our Facebook page. Members of the group are not visible to nonmembers. WOMEN IN SOCIAL IMPACT COLLECTIVE This collective is for women and non-binary people interested in engaging with social justice issues and partaking in activist/advocacy initiatives.The 2020 Women in Social Impact Collective Convenor is Jenny Chang.
Note: Please do not disclose who is a member of these collectives to non-members as a matter of safety.
WOMEN’S ROOM The Women’s Room is a cosy space tucked away down a corridor on Level 2 of the Guild Building. We keep it stocked with free supplies like tampons, pads and condoms. It’s the perfect retreat for when you need a nap or somewhere to relax. Feel free to come and use the microwave and kettle. There is also a bookshelf packed with feminist literature available for your perusal. Come in to hang out with friends or meet new ones - someone will probably be having an in-depth discussion of pop culture, and that’s how the best friendship starts. WE HAVE SOME GUIDELINES FOR BEHAVIOUR IN THE ROOM, AND THESE APPLY TO ALL OUR EVENTS TOO.
REF COURTYARD
2ND FLOOR, GUILD VILLAGE Entry via lift in Guild Village or stairs located in Ref Courtyard.
LIFT ENTRY
DO NOT ASSUME: 1. You know anyone else’s experience of gender and sexualtiy, or other details about their personal background. Do not make assumptions or statements about what is ‘normal’.
DO ASSUME: 1. That ALL women and non-binary people are welcomed and valued in this space, including trans women.
2. W e have the same level of background knowledge. Try to clarify when someone makes a mistake.
3. T hat we welcome women and non-binary people of faith to use this space for prayer. Please be considerate when prayer practice may require silence.
3. W e have the same inherent values of what is wrong or right. 4. T hat is the responsibility of other people to police your language.
2. T hat sex workers are welcome in this space and entitled to respect.
4. T hat we all come from different backgrounds and we all have an equal right to selfexpression without fear of being uncomfortable, unwelcome or unsafe due to our assigned gender, cultural background, age, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, religion, gender expression or class.
FEMINISM 101 A GLOSSARY OF TERMS These are some words, phrases or acronyms you’ll probably hear people using in the women’s room and at our events. It’s okay if you don’t know them all! We’re all at different stages and we’re always learning.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (AA): In a nutshell, in areas where women (or other marginalised groups) are underrepresented, AA can help correct this balance. AUTONOMY: In our context, autonomy means anything relating to a marginalised identity is overseen by people of that identity. For example, the Women of Colour Collective is run and attended entirely by women of colour or nonbinary people of colour. EMOTIONAL LABOUR: In the same way that it’s taxing on your muscles to do physical labour, some conversations can be a drain on your emotions and it takes a lot of effort to manage this. Women are generally expected to do way more emotional labor than men. FEMINISM: There are many kinds of feminism, but it can generally be defined as a movement for gender equality, focusing on women’s rights.
INTERSECTIONALITY: This term was first used by Kimberle Crenshaw, who used it to describe how people with multiple marginalised identities have unique and specific experiences of oppression. For example, women of colour experience sexism and racism together. MANSPLAIN: When a man condescendingly explains something to a woman, even though she knows more about the topic than he does. MICROAGGRESSIONS: These are comments or questions that may seem tirvial on the surface, but are indicators of deeper structural inequality. Asking people of colour “Where are you really from?” is an example of microaggression. Individually, they’re only minor annoyances, but they build up over time and become more harmful.
SWERF: Stands for sex worker exclusionary radical feminist, AKA feminists who exclude sex workers. Sex workers are welcome in the Women’s Department, and discrimination against them will not be tolerated. TERF: Stands for trans exclusionary radical feminist, AKA feminists who exclude trans women. Trans women are welcome in the Women’s Department and discrimination against them will not be tolerated.
GET INVOLVED Keep an eye on our Facebook page and Collective groups for up to date information on upcoming events and projects. DAMSEL Damsel is our online and in-print magazine. You can find copies of past editions in the Women’s Room and online at issu. Join the Damsel Creative Facebook Group to stay up to date with content call outs and writers nights. Our 2020 Co-Editors are Priyanka Sharma and Libby Bevis. M: damsel@guild.uwa.edu.au F: Damsel Creative Group INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY International Women’s Day is on March 8 each year, celebrating the economic, political, social and academic achievements of women around the world. This year, we are hosting an International Women’s Day breakfast on Thursday March 7 at Hackett Café. For more information and to buy a ticket, keep an eye on our Facebook page! NOWSA CONFERENCE The Women’s Department is excited to be hosting the Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) 2020 conference between the 13th and 19th of July. This will be an opportunity to engage with scholars, student activists and leaders on challenging, topical and educational ideas in the context of feminism in the 21st century. Keep up to date with our facebook page for updates!
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION Each year on August 1, university campuses across Australia come together to commemorate the release of the Change the Course Report on sexual assault and harassment on university campuses. Join the Women’s Department to stand with survivors and condemn sexual violence at our protest on August 1. WOMEN’S WEEK Our Semester Two theme week is Women’s Week, celebrating all the amazing women and nonbinary people in our community! Events include informative panels, skills workshops, DIY t-shirt stalls, volunteering opportunities, and our very own Damsel Launch Cocktail Evening. This year, Women’s Week will be held in Week 6 of Semester Two.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT & ASSAULT AT UWA Sexual harassment constitutes unwelcome behaviour or contact of a sexual nature which offends, intimidates, embarrasses or humiliates a person. Sexual assault involves unwanted sexual acts or behaviours which a person did not consent to, or was unable to consent to. Neither are acceptable nor tolerated at UWA. Here are some resources if you need help on campus.
FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: Call the UWA security number on 6488 2222 or text URGENT to UWA security text line 0438 739 744. You can also contact them by the help points located around campus. UWA STUDENT GUILD TAVERN – ASK FOR ANGELA If you are on a date that isn’t working out, feeling unsafe or pressured, or someone is harassing you, you can ask the Tav bar staff to speak for Angela. They will help you out of the situation without any dramas and assist you in getting a taxi, Uber or contacting your friends if you need it. SUBMIT A REPORT The UWA Website (Sexual Harassment and Assault) provides in-depth information as to the processes of reporting or disclosing sexual misconduct. Remember if you wish to proceed with a Report or Disclosure, you are not alone. There are many services
to support you, and you can choose to bring a friend, family member, or Guild Student Assist Officer as support to any meetings. SUPPORT AND DISCUSSION To speak confidentially about an incident, you can make an emergency appointment with UWA Counselling and Psychological services by contacting 6488 2423. Alternatively, you can visit the centre in person for a free triage appointment. It is located on the 1st Floor of the Student Central Building (South Wing). The Guild also employs Student Assist Officers, who are here to support all students with any welfare issues you may be experiencing. This includes a free in-house counsellor. Student Assist Officers can also help you lodge a complaint to the university and is completely confidential. You can phone 6488 2292 or email them at assist@guild. uwa.edu.au
RESOURCES CAMPUS SECURITY UWA Security is a 24/7 service and can help whenever you’re in trouble. They also provide an after hours escort service. Give them a call 30 minutes before you are due to leave and they can escort you to your car, college, or anywhere adjacent to UWA. PHONE & SECURITY ESCORT SERVICE P: 6488 3020 M: 0438 739 744 EMERGENCIES ON CAMPUS P: 6488 2222 COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES First Floor, Student Central Building P: 6488 2423 STUDENT ASSIST Student Assist staff can offer completely confidential advice and guidance on all things academic, finance and welfarerelated. They are independent to UWA and will only talk to your teachers or faculty staff if you ask them to. E: assist@guild.uwa.edu.au P: 6488 2292
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE CENTRE SARC is a free confidential service, providing a 24hour emergency service in metropolitan Perth. This involves medical care, a forensic examination and counselling to support people who have been sexually assaulted in the previous 14 days. They also provide counselling centres across Perth for people who have experienced sexual assault and sexual abuse in the past. P: 6458 1828 1800RESPECT 1800RESPECT is a phone and online chat service for survivors of sexual, family or domestic violence operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you call them, you will speak to a trained counsellor who can support you through your situation. Their service also caters for people who don’t speak English, who prefer to speak through an interpreter, who are blind or vision impaired, who are deaf or hearing impaired, or do not speak or have difficulty with speech. W: 1800respect.org.au P: 1800 737 732
PINK BOX INITIATIVE Emergency sanitary products are available at a number of locations on campus including Reid Library, QEII and the dispenser at the women’s bathroom in Guild Village. ASK FOR ANGELA The Ask for Angela is an initiative operating at the UWA Tavern and Captain Striling. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can discretely ask the staff for ‘Angela’. This simple code word alerts venue staff that you or someone you know requires assistance. LEGAL AID WA W: www.legalaid.wa.gov.au EMERGENCY ACCOMODATION W: www.uwa.edu.au/study/ student-life/accommodation/ contact-us/help
womens@guild.uwa.edu.au @UWAStudentGuild fb.com/UWAStudentGuild
Women’s Office, Student Representative Offices, Bob Nicholson Room, Level 1, Guild Building