Moreland Community Legal Centre Inc

Current Events

The Clothesline Project – Break the silence about violence against women.

HISTORY OF THE CLOTHESLINE PROJECT

The clothesline project started in 1990 Cape Cod, Massachusetts USA. Where a group of women inspired by the AIDS quilt got together and came up with the idea of hanging t-shirts on a clothesline to signify their feelings and issues regarding domestic violence. 

These women expressed their emotions by drawing images and illustrations on t-shirts, which were later hung on a t-shirts on a clothesline. They were erected in a public arena and were seen as a testimony to the experiences of women who were survivors of domestic violence. The Clothesline project has become an international project and Family Violence Networks have undertaken other form of arts projects with survivors of family violence, such as banner or quilt making workshops.

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MORELAND FAMILY VIOLENCE NETWORK (MFVN) CLOTHESELINE event 2011.

MFVN has for the last 3 years held Week without Violence Events in Coburg Mall, T-shirt painting workshops, and distribution of materials relating to Family Violence Issues. This network comprises of over 20 local govenment and non governement agencies.

Moreland Legal Centre has been a key player in this annual project. This year Women's Health in the North and 6 Northern Region local councils will all undertake Week Without Violence Events from 24 October to 28 October.  WHIN's website will post updates here is their web site: www.whin.org.au/

If you would like more details about MFVN events please contact our Community Development officer on 9383 2588.

This year our Clothesline Event will be held in Coburg Mall, Victoria Place Coburg. Come along see the t-shirts produced this year. See you there Thursday 27th of October from 11 am to 2pm.

If you like to view to know more about the MFVN then here is the link to Moreland Council Website: www.moreland.vic.gov.au/community-services

Anti-Terrorism Laws

State and Federal governments have passed anti-terrorism laws but many people are unaware of the possible effects these laws will have. They are also unaware that these laws are currently being reviewed.

The Federation of Community Legal Centres would like to assist people to understand the laws and to participate in the review. Community Legal Centres (CLC's) can arrange for people to speak to members of your community or organisation and can provide legal advice to those in your community that have been or are fearful of being directly affected by the laws.

Summary of the Laws

• 'Terrorist Act' is very broadly defined.

• The Government has the power to ban an organisation if it comes under the broad definition of 'terrorist organisation'.

• It is an offence to be 'associated' with a terrorist organisation.

• ASIO has given broad powers to compulsorily question or detain a person suspected of having information related to 'terrorism'.

• Persons detained or compulsorily questioned by ASIO have only limited rights to legal representation.

• Persons detained or compulsorily questioned by ASIO have no right to silence - they are required by law to answer all questions asked.

• ASIO's powers to detain or compulsorily question are cloaked in secrecy - it is an offence for anyone to discuss the use of such powers for two years after they are used.

More detailed information about the laws is available from Federation of Community Legal Centres