AGENDA IN DENMARK

Autumn 2000

Activities about ending violence against women are not coordinated in Denmark. The local branch of WRC is passive (initiated one year ago, when Dr. Michael Kaufman visited Denmark), so it is some women’s groups and a mixed group that take initiatives:
 
Some strong local, but actually independent activities, will happen in November, and they all focus on Rape:
 
4.th. of November, Århus. "Stop Voldtægt" (=Stop Rape), an activist group from the international education Kaospiloterne http://www.kaospilot.dk/uk/content/index.html , will make a nice public event on Store Torv (=Big Square in front of the Cathedral) with lights and music. Contact: Anne Mette Kruse
 
13th. of November, Ålborg. Public meeting with debate with:
*Yvonne Herløv Andersen (MP for Central Democrats see www.folketinget.dk  ) who in 1997 and 1998 got parliament to concern about Centres for Rape Victims and better care for victims of domestic violence. Such centres have existed in Norway and Sweden for almost 10 years. In 1983 Parliament initiated a research on the need for such centres, and in 1987 a full report stated, that is was a very good idea. Then nothing happened. Meanwhile private initiatives as Joan-Sisters and Women Shelters became well known, got better funding and accepted by authorities and the public. In 1999 the first Centres have started . www.voldtaegt.dk  .

At the public meeting in Ålborg representatives from the local police and the local Centre for Rape Victims will also be present.
Dansk Kvindesamfund www.kvindesamfund.dk  arrange the meeting.
Contact: Randi Stub Petersen 

15th. of November, Århus. Public meeting about Rape with
*Chefkriminalinspektør Preben Juel Hansen, Århus Politic (leader of the criminal section of the local Police - Århus is the 2nd greatest city in Denmark);

*Helge Adam Møller (MP, Conservative, member of Commission of Justice in Parliament);

*Anne Baastrup (MP, Socialist Folkparty, member of Commission of Justice in Parliament);

*Psychologist Maiken Knudsen, Centre for Voldtægtsofre, Århus, www.voldtaegt.dk  . All these have readily accepted to come free of charge.
The meeting is organised. by Nyfeministisk Netværk (New feministic Network, a new group - this is the first event). Contact Tinne Stubbe Østergaard

In November too, Odense. Public meeting with
*Lone Nørgård from Dansk Kvindesamfund and
*Counsel for the Defence Mogens Juhl.
Arr. Dansk Kvindesamfund.

Perhaps other initiatives are planned, I do not know, but even it is by coincidence that these events happen in November, it has been very encouraging to know that similar initiatives will go on everywhere! I take the opportunity to inform the other groups about this fact, and the press too.

The politicians and the representatives from the police and others have all been very positive and cooperative!

Today, when I talked with a journalist, he was first rather hostile (against 'feminists' in general), but when I phoned him again later, about a minor detail, he told me enthusiastically, that he would make an informative 'success story' about the rather new 'Centre for Voldtægtsofre' in Århus, as he suddenly remembered, that he had heard a representative from the police talk warmly about the advantages for all with this centre. I've sent him some mails about WCR and other international initiatives, like the report from UNFPA www.unfpa.org  ....

If You have a list of activities in November, concerning ending violence against women, please send it, and I'll distribute it in my Network, and notify the press, when I have contact with them.

I've written this as a private person, but with positive consent from leaders in Dansk Kvindesamfund, and members of the local network, Nyfeministisk Netværk, Århus.

Friendly regards
Tinne Stubbe Østergaard
Århus, Denmark
mailto:tsoe@mail1.stofanet.dk