Issues in society (Balmain N.S.W.)

"Consent is an agreement between people to engage in sexual activity. Sexual activity is something to be done with someone, not to someone. Consent is a critical part of this process and must be freely given, informed and mutual. However, if you don't have consent, it is a criminal offence. Sexual assault is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel uncomfortable, scared or threatened. Sexual negotiation can be a difficult...

Poverty persists in Australia despite the opportunities available in such an affluent country. How is poverty in Australia defined? What is absolute poverty as opposed to relative poverty, and who are the affected groups in our community? What are the causes of poverty? At a time when the national economy has avoided the major impacts of a global recession, why do so many Australians still experience financial hardship, housing stress and income inequality?...

The AIDS epidemic has spread for almost 30 years. Thirty-three million people are living with HIV worldwide and 28 million have died from an AIDS-related illness since 1981, mostly in Africa. A new HIV infection is diagnosed somewhere in the world every seven seconds and someone dies from an AIDS-related illness every 11 seconds. Almost 17,000 people are living with HIV in Australia, and about 1,000 become infected each year; over 6,700 Australians...

The rapid uptake of digital technologies has hugely impacted on the way we communicate, relate, learn, work, and spend our leisure time. Digital media literacy is the ability to access, understand and participate or create content using digital media. This ability is becoming integral to effective participation in the digital economy and Australian society. Those who do not adapt may fall victim to the 'digital divide' and be excluded. The 'digital...

There has been an overall decline in the number of adoptions of Australian children over the last 25 years, however past and present adoption practices continue to raise a number of challenging and complex emotional and practical issues. This book examines the adoption experience in Australia, including local and intercountry adoption and the legal processes involved; adoption trends; identity and disclosure issues; the impacts of past coercive adoption...

The aim of imprisonment is to prevent crime and enhance community safety by removing offenders from the public sphere and deterring potential offenders, as well as meeting society's need for reparation and retribution for crimes committed. However, while a period of imprisonment may deter some people from re-offending, it can also foster in others further criminal behaviour. Since 1989, the imprisonment rate has increased by around two-thirds; currently...

Bullying is the deliberate desire by one or more people to hurt, threaten or frighten someone with words, behaviour or actions. Bullying can be verbal, physical, social or psychological and is one of the major issues facing young people today. It occurs at school, in the workplace, and even online as cyberbullying - it is very common, and it can happen to anyone. Bullying can have devastating impacts on victims, and it can also have detrimental effects...

Australia is a nation of keen punters - about 70% of Australians participated in some form of gambling in the past year. Gambling takes many forms, including lotteries and 'scratchies', electronic gaming machines ('pokies'), casino-based table games, sports wagering and online gaming. Latest estimates claim about 115,000 Australians are classified as 'problem gamblers' with a further 280,000 people being at 'moderate risk'. Gambling can seriously...

Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia. Alcohol is so widely used and so socially acceptable that many people frequently consume it to harmful levels. Binge drinking refers to drinking heavily over a short period of time with the intention of becoming intoxicated, resulting in immediate and severe intoxication. The number of young people consuming alcohol at alarmingly high levels has increased significantly in recent years....

We all have our own needs at different times within relationships, and it is important to give and take in terms of these needs and to show each other respect. Everyone has the right to feel safe, to be treated fairly, and to be valued and accepted for who they are. This book presents advice for young people on how to develop skills to negotiate relationship needs respectfully and safely in partner relationships, friendships and family relationships....