Media Release 28 September 2007

BAR NONE INITIATIVE HONOURS LINDY CORBETT - SUNRISE WOMEN'S GROUP

Lindy Corbett has run Sunrise Women's Group, a social support group for women with disabilities in Melbourne's west since 1991. She believes women with disabilities are women first, and deserve a service like every other woman. This is why Lindy keeps women central to all aspects of the program.

Sonya, from the Laverton Sunrise Women' Group, explained how important the group is to her by saying, "I find it supportive, the women are compassionate. If I didn't go to the group, I wouldn't go anywhere."

"At every opportunity I lobby for the interests and rights of women with disabilities because I think that this is a minority that's often forgotten about and we need to be considered part of the mainstream of the community," Lindy said.

"I've been political since attending my first rally at 15; I come from a politically active family. I believe in working for a better deal for people who are disadvantaged in the community. I've worked on a number of committees for women with disabilities including a Victorian government taskforce on violence against women in the late 90s and now I'm on the disability advisory committee for the Melbourne City Council which looks at how their services can better meet the needs of people with disability.

WHW conference report, "Health Promotion and Preventing Violence Against Women - What Does It Really Mean?" states that, "Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or class, women with disabilities are assaulted, raped and abused at a rate at least tow times greater than women without disabilities." Worryingly, the report goes on to explain that "the more severe the disability, the higher the risk of abuse."

"Women with disabilities are often forgotten in relation to violence because it's seen as a disability rights issue by some people in the community and not as a mainstream issue. We're women first, so it is a mainstream issue.

"I hope to be political until I'm 90!" she said, her passion and energy to advocate for the rights of women with disabilities is clearly a driving force in her life.

MEDIA CONTACT

For more information contact Nicola Harte, Communications Co-ordinator at Women's Health West on 9689 9588 or email nicolah@whwest.org.au or contact on the day on 0432 637 933. For all other general media enquiries contact us via email.