The continuing violence and physical, sexual and emotional abuse throughout the world and in Australia clearly demonstrate that attitudes and behaviours must change. Change can be achieved by broad-based education and awareness-raising on these issues and human rights. Everyone has the right to be free of harm and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Physical, sexual and emotional abuse occurs in all walks of life and in all communities in Australia. Even the most casual of observations of news and media stories illustrates this whether it is bullying in schools or in the workplace, or sexual abuse and "initiation ceremonies" in a racing stable or the armed services.
Harm and abuse to human beings goes hand in hand with violations of human rights where the fundamental values that underlie human rights are not observed; dignity, respect, equality and freedom.
"Our current approach is too heavily weighted towards intervention at the end stages of the process – when offences have been committed and communities destroyed. There has been too little time and resources devoted to community education to build a strong anti-violence culture and awareness of the law, as well as capacity building within communities to better enable them to challenge violence from within."
"In the words of the Universal Declaration, this moment is a test – for the nation - of how truly we believe in the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family."
Read and understand the issues in "Harmful or Abusive to Human Beings" on the home page of this website.
Talk to others about these issues and how they are detrimental to everyday life.
Become a member of HRRA.
Become a volunteer and assist HRRA activities when you can.
Attend meetings and conferences about these issue whenever you can.
arranging an appointment and going to see your member of parliament.
Report violations of human rights in Australia to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, or a body such as the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.
Complain about overseas harm and abuses to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Urge them to take positive action about it. Also write to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and find out what they are doing about it. Encourage them to do more.
Every advance for humankind has been accomplished through the vision and courage of men and women working towards a specific goal.