#helpline part 19

[elvesandlanterns]

Ghost helpline part 19 Back to Work

Alright so throwing herself off a tall tree hadn’t been the best idea but it had worked! The kid was off her trail, now she’d be able to … spy on him? Stop his evil pan? Alright so she didn’t know exactly what she could do with this information but she would figure it out!

Al Ghuls are dangerous and Robin is an Al Ghul. Batman had to know that! But … did the Wayne’s? Violet had watched a lot of their TV appearances while she was out sick and …Brucie was just that Brucie. Adorable but dumb.

This was the guy who crashed into a tower champagne flutes at his own party! The guy who got drunk and fell off ships! … The guy who sent her flowers and texted dad cat pics. There’s no way he knew just how evil the Al Ghuls were, one of them must have used him for the money. Or maybe his kid was adopted like the rest of them… but then why hide it?

“Uuuughhhhh why does this all have to be so confusing!” Ahhhh! She just wanted to fight something! Having a clear target would be so much easier!

Were the Wayne’s in trouble? Chances were the kid was a master manipulator, a killer trained from birth!

Birth… the statement made Violet feel bad. But it was probably the truth, she remembered those swords, that smug look her gave her during the summons. The look humans get when they think they can kill something bigger than them. The kid was a killer… the same kid that tried to catch her when she “fell”. The same kid that apparently painted, and panicked. And allowed himself to be dragged away by his older brother.

Maybe … maybe …

Knock knock

“Come in!”

Step step cccrreeaakk step step ccccrrreeakk

“Oh, hey Chad.”

This was weird… Chad never sought Violet out.

“Sit down let me look at your legs.”

“Oh! Am I due for a tune up? We can go down to the workshop instead?”

“Stop talking and sit down.”

She sat, igniting a magic circle on her leg. Hearing air escape for a brief moment before her leg popped off and clanged to the floor. Repeating the process with her other leg she took a chance to look at Chad. Her brother seemed …sad?

“You should take better care of yourself.”

“What?”

“I said take better care of yourself, you’re making dad worry.” He tinkered with the metal legs.

“Oh sorry.” Violet had meant to make dad worry, he already had enough on his plate. And now she had even bothered Chad over something simple. If she were smarter she’d be able to keep up with her prosthetics by herself.

“Good. Don’t get sick again. It’s bothersome.”

Right. Bothersome.

She laid back as Chad kept at it. A nap wouldn’t hurt—

Knock knock knock

The person behind the door didn’t wait for a response and walked right in.

“Violet we need to talk.”

“Oh Dandy, me and Chad are already-“

“Done.” Chad left like a wolf was chasing him out.

“Violet,” Dandy aborted a motion to rake threw his hair and sat down instead, “Violet we will be getting a visitor soon, around three or so. That boy is coming over to apologize to you.”

“Oh that’s nice of him.” Oh shit.

“I need you to promise me you’ll be careful if father pushes you two to be friends.”

“Yes yes I know to be careful! No magic no slip ups I-“

A look filtered threw her brothers face, “That’s not what I mean.” Dandy reached over.

Dandy held her hand. They had held hands before, Violet loved holding hands with Dandy and dad. It made her feel safe and warm sure but more than anything it gave her something Violet craved the way other demons craved blood. Hold their hands made Konstelacio feel wanted.

But this… this was different, there was a look in Dandy’s eyes she’d never seen before.

“You know not to trust humans, Violet. You know how awful they all are.”

Violet swallowed, she knew.

“I need you to be careful don’t let your guard down for a moment.”

“But Dandy—“

His grip on her hand hardened, “Promise me Violet. Promise me you won’t trust any human with your heart. They don’t deserve you.”

Violet scooted closer to him, now that statement didn’t make any sense. Her heart?

“… is,” her voice was quite, “Is this about dad and Mr Wayne?”

“Promise me.”

“Dandy—“

“Please. I don’t want to see you get hurt again. Any of you. I don’t think I could take it.”

Oh Dandy was crying. She’d never seen her biggest big brother cry before…

“Okay I promise.”

They hugged like it was the first time all over again. Like someone was going to reach out and snatch her out of his arms.

—- —- —-

Violet stayed in bed with her one remaining knee up. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Humans are bad sure but not all of them.

The humans in Fawcett were kind. And she had meet Jack when he was still a human. A lot of magical creatures started off as humans and and … and Mr Wayne was nice.

He sent her flowers when she was sick. And talked to her sweetly whenever she picked up the phone. He made daddy happy. Why can’t Dandy see that?

She levitated her prosthetics, one at a time, on to the bed. Their flight was wobbly, they were the heaviest thing she could carry.

Putting her legs back on she felt a pull. A tug.

She spared a look at the clock, 1:33pm.

Tug tug tug - she had enough time.

She stood up, “Alright then back to work.”

A second layer and she was gone.

[winchestergirl2]

January Reading Recs

To show some love and appreciation to all the amazing writers here on tumblr, here are all the fantastic fics I've read this month. 💖

Many of these fics and blogs are 18+ only, and NSFW please heed the author's individual fic warnings and requests regarding no minors. I am not responsible for your media consumption.

2023 Reading Recs

Smallville

Jason Teague

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe. " @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: Jason has just helped you escape the clutches of his nefarious mother. Where will you go from here now that you know the truth?

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: When another student makes an unwanted move on you, Jason's not above flexing his assistant coach authority muscle a little to get the guy to leave you alone and send a message.

Big Sky

Beau Arlen

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: He put you with Hoyt and Tonya. For the day. What the hell had he been thinking?

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe" @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: Your house is broken into one night when Beau wasn't home and now you find yourself expecting it to happen again at any moment. Will you ever feel safe in your home again?

Dark Angel

Alec Mcdowell

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You're looking for a way to set yourself up and blend in after breaking out of Manticore. Having heard the rumors, you seek out Max for help. In doing so, you come across someone you had never thought you'd see again.

Being Human Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | @zepskies

Authors Summary: Your life made sense before Alec slipped his way in. He unravels your threads without even trying. He frustrates you as easily as he weasels back into your good graces. But you soon realize that this man is worth the challenge.

The Boys

Soldier Boy

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe" @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You're tired of running and you go to Soldier Boy for protection. He agrees to do it but not without a price.

Possessive @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: Ben is highly against when other men hit on you

Dawsons Creek

CJ Braxton

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You had only meant to call once, remaining anonymous while feeling out the whole helpline thing for yourself. Now, you talk to CJ every Friday night around the same time. When you don't call one Friday, CJ is worried and comes looking for you which presents its own host of problems.

Good Morning @zepskies

Authors Summary: Your attempts to get your boyfriend out of bed don’t go as planned.

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Smoke Eater Part 19 | Epilogue @zepskies

Authors Summary: Dean Winchester is the cocky, but well-respected Lieutenant at Firehouse 25. He leads by example, but he’s also known to break a few hearts. He’s starting to crave something he’s never had, though. Something stable. Something real. 

That’s when he meets you, on a truly terrible day, trapped in a rickety old elevator.

Desire (The Wanton Song) @deanbrainrotwritings

Authors Summary: Dean looks delicious in a suit, that’s it.

What Awaits You In The Dark @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Authors Summary: After sleeping with Dean, Y/N really wants to sleep next to him too. Dean seems reluctant. Can Y/N figure out why?

Wake Up Call @wayward-dreamer

Authors Summary: Y/N starts Dean's birthday in a special way.

Blush @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: For the first time in your life, you can say you’ve made Dean Winchester blush

Always @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Authors Summary: When Y/N storms out in anger, Dean is afraid he's lost her.

Privilege @mind-empty-just-fictional-people

Authors summary: dean admits he feels old and you can’t help but gawk at his thinking

Tourniquet @impala-dreamer

Authors Summary: Y/N has been by Dean's side through his worst days, always there if he needs her, forever just a call away. Love is impossible to fight and more impossible to live with. Just a side character in his epic life, Y/N would give anything just to give Dean a moment's peace.

Sam Winchester

Tic Tac Toe Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | @percywinchester27

Authors Summary: The reader shifts into a new city after being offered a dream job by a big firm. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect after an ugly break-up with a douche-bag Ex. But things turn out not as dreamy as she’d want them to be and the only thing that keeps her smiling is a totally coincidental game of Tic Tac Toe.

Untitled Sam Drabble @supernaturalfreewill

Authors Summary: Imagine sending Sam little texts throughout the day. They're his favorite thing and cheer him up during long hunts...

We Could Stay @imaginesfordifferentfandoms

Prompt - Help me I’m being hit on at a bar please be my fake boyfriend for a second

It's All Coming Back To Me Now @sams-sass

Authors Summary: You are falling for Sam until Swan Song happens, but there is something you don't know.

Sam Winchester x Reader, Dean Winchester x Reader

Unopened At Your Feet Chapters 1 - 5 @thoughtslikeaminefield

Authors Summary: This is the story of how I broke my own heart.

[sometimes-men-need-help-too]

Helpline for male domestic abuse victims struggles to cope amid pandemic surge

This was back in 2021 but I wanted to share it anyway

A helpline for male victims of domestic violence is struggling to cope with the volume of calls because of a 35 per cent spike in the numbers seeking help during the pandemic.

Men’s Aid Ireland says it dealt with about 5,500 contacts during 2020, a figure it projects will grow again to 9,000 this year based on a further surge in January and February.

Kathrina Bentley, the organisation's chief executive, said calls are also getting "more worrying and concerning" and their "seriously stretched" three part-time helpline staff are struggling to cope with demand.

“During the last week of January and first week of February, within 10 days we had five very serious suicide situations at the end of the phone,” she said.

“ We had to get Garda assistance for two of them, ring ahead to a hospital for a third and we talked the other two men down.”

The common thread in calls is an abusive relationship, in 95 per cent of cases involving a wife or female partner.

“Hitting me, kicking me, spitting on me, telling me I’m a useless father, telling me I’m crap, telling me I don’t bring in enough income,” she recounted the calls.

“One man said he sleeps in the spare room and his wife soaks his mattress during the day with cold water and leaves the windows open before he comes home from work. So he sleeps on the floor.

“There are pure emotional and psychological games, men who have no access to funds, their partners controlling their finances.”

Funding

Ms Bentley said the organisation sought and was refused funding for a 24/7 helpline from the State’s child and family agency Tusla, which she criticises for allocating 1 per cent of its domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV) funding to the service.

Along with the Men’s Development Network, it is one of just two Tusla-funded services dedicated to male victims.

Men’s Aid Ireland has €244,000 funding for its six staff operation this year, an increase of €5,000 on last year.

In January, about 600 men contacted the service, and at least 80 calls were missed because the helpline – which runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays – can only deal with two callers at any one time.

“It is really worrying,” said Ms Bentley. “Every phone call, we can save or change a life, that is the frontline day to day reality of it. Our small organisation took on the war that is the pandemic of Covid, and the war that is the pandemic of violence, but we are in the trenches with no ammunition.”

Ms Bentley said callers include accountants, gardaí, politicians, doctors, gardeners, postmen, the military, tradesmen and the unemployed.

Some are on the minimum wage while others “live in multi-million euro houses and behind the front door is domestic violence”.

Many are victims of coercive control – “a silent, invisible pattern of abusive behaviour over time” – which she says is “catastrophic for families, children as well as men’s lives and their careers”.

Ages range from 19 to 83 years old, but particularly between 40 to 55.

“It is incredible for a man to have the courage to pick up the phone in the first place,” she said.

“How disappointing and heartbreaking it is when no-one answers that phone.”

‘Bad patch’

Citing a report by Cosc – The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence – that shows one in seven men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 95 per cent do not contact gardai, Ms Bentley suggested the numbers not seeking help could be as high as “a couple of hundred thousand”.

Ms Bentley said callers often don’t see themselves as victims of domestic abuse and hope it is a “bad patch” that will pass because they don’t want the family to break up. “When you ask them how long it has been going on for, and they say three to six years, well that’s not a bad patch in a relationship, that is an abusive relationship.”

In response to calls in a parliamentary question for a 24/7 national helpline, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the Government was currently carrying out an audit of DSGBV services.

There was no comment from Tusla.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Helen Dale

Published: Apr 29, 2024

A new book raises tough questions about the history of gay liberation

Trans activism has caused bitter divisions within the gay rights movement

Medical professionals responding incorrectly to gender nonconformity has dire consequences

When scriptwriter Gareth Roberts was 14, he called a helpline promoted by a new organisation, one dedicated to helping gay and lesbian youth. The operator tried to set him up on a date with a 19-year-old. Fortunately, the young Roberts had the wit to realise this ‘was a very bad idea’. 

A related organisation opened the first – and, at the time, only gay youth club in the country. Roberts joined, only to discover meeting rooms and communal areas littered with literature from PIE. That, for readers who aren’t gay or lesbian and of a certain vintage, stands for ‘Paedophile Information Exchange’.

What you need to understand – as Roberts argues in his first book, Gay Shame: The Rise of Gender Ideology and the New Homophobia – is ‘that there was a prominent streak of gay activism that was absolutely insane’. And, despite major successes borne of both a mature response to the AIDS crisis and opposition to Section 28, the bonkers quality never went away. That said, he admits he didn’t expect ‘the gay rights movement transmogrifying into a cross between the Church of Scientology, Heathers: the Musical and Act 4 of The Crucible’.

In Gay Shame, Roberts does two things. First, he explains how and why trans activism has become the ‘official’ gay rights movement that now (bitterly) divides gays and lesbians. It’s impossible not to notice the extent to which fights over trans issues often involve two opposed teams of homosexuals: Stonewall vs LGB Alliance. Roberts is a gay man and directs ordnance (for the most part) at gay men while also contextualising this division in an intelligent way. However, when feminist and lesbian adherents of the religion he calls ‘genderism’ cross his radar, they cop a similarly witty serve.

Secondly – and in a way that tracks the careful evidence-gathering of the Cass Review – he conveys the extent to which transgenderism represents ‘transing the gay away’. Most of the children who went through the Tavistock – 9,000 of them in all according to Cass – were same-sex attracted or simply gender nonconforming. Rising numbers, year-on-year, of glittery, swishy little boys and even more sporty but quirky little girls.

‘This is an ideology,’ Roberts points out in a coruscating passage, ‘that says there is something wrong with camp little boys and butch little girls and that they need to be fixed’.

This is impressive despite its grimness. Gay Shame only came out last Thursday, and – due to typical lead-times in publishing – was written in 2023. Despite a stint as a writer for Dr Who, Roberts didn’t nick the Tardis and get early access to the Cass report. This care and foresight has the effect of forcing readers – both heterosexual and homosexual – to think about how we respond to gender nonconforming behaviour. 

Most people do not understand what it’s like to be gender nonconforming or appreciate the extent to which gender nonconforming people stick out like sore thumbs. Gays, lesbians and bisexuals won social acceptance before everyone else properly ‘got’ us. Roberts’ hands must be a mess, because he grasps every bloody nettle on the gay male side of the equation: from the extent to which gay male sexuality is utterly unlike straight male sexuality (because it does not involve women) to taking aim at a string of overpraised, low-quality gay male contributions to popular culture. 

Does that mean every gay man on the planet sleeps around and adores Eurovision? No, of course not, but there are also no lesbian chemsex parties and heterosexuals really don’t have to pretend Eurovision is bloody marvellous. Meanwhile, if a straight man wanted some sort of chemsex equivalent, it would involve handing over a lot of cash to a group of women he doesn’t know in icky bits of London he would prefer not to frequent.

This absence of theory of mind – common but not universal when dealing with people unlike oneself – has implications. In a discussion of what he concedes is ‘a small minority of gay men,’ Roberts observes how ‘the Metropolitan Police’s shockingly inept handling of the case of the serial rapist and murderer Stephen Port in London in 2014/15 was partly down to their assumptions about the chemsex deaths of gay men’.

Of value is Roberts’ account of what he calls ‘the fall of Stonewall’, which was, in retrospect, astonishingly swift. ‘You can literally narrow it down to about three weeks in late 2014,’ he told me last week. He documents the extent to which Stonewall’s pivot to trans activism arose in part because it fell for queer theory (‘peer review is the process by which academics mark each other’s homework,’ he observes, tartly) and partly because it had won. ‘What was Stonewall for?’ Roberts asks. ‘It had no active political campaigns left to fight in the UK. But it had a huge staff, and a massive engine room of fundraising and campaigning machinery. A tender full of coal and no track’.

One effect of Stonewall’s pivot – and later persecution, along with Mermaids, of the LGB Alliance – was that the latter organisation spent years fighting off attacks on its charitable status, unable to do much else. Only recently has it been able to work normally, ‘doing,’ as Roberts says, ‘exactly the same work as Stonewall did before its fall to genderism’.

Gay Shame raises all sorts of difficult questions. It’s really striking, for example, what a recurrent feature the sexualising of children is within allegedly ‘liberatory’ streams of thought. This manifests in something Roberts calls ‘The Leap’. The Leap consists of the belief that ‘people (including, incredibly, children) are always what they claim to be, rather than what they are’.

Roberts’ discussion of gay men and gay male sexuality – and of male and female gender nonconformity more widely – also serves to remind the rest of us that we know very little about homosexuality. I know loads of ‘right-on’ straight parents who bought their son girl toys or their daughter boy toys. The kids simply blew them off. This, I’m afraid, is because most children are gender conforming. Gender has biological roots: the stereotyped behaviours it produces mean that deviations are really going to show. The thing is, gender nonconforming behaviour and the homosexuality and bisexuality that often accompany it also have biological roots, but we don’t know why. 

In biology, a spandrel is a phenotypic trait that’s a by-product of some other evolved characteristic, rather than a direct product of adaptive selection. It’s a term borrowed from cathedral architecture, where it refers to something decorative, but which provides no structural support. Maybe some homosexuals don’t mind the idea that we���re just the fancy bit at the corner of an arch, but we’re too common to be an evolutionary spandrel. We exist for a reason. Why would evolution throw up a group of people of both sexes who are attracted to their own sex? Not exactly going to contribute to reproducing the species, are we?

Gareth Roberts isn’t sure that ‘genderism’ will collapse. At the end of Gay Shame, he presents two plausible scenarios. One depicts a world where queer theory and all its works and all its ways has gone down the long slide and all seems well. The other shows what things look like in the event of a genderist win. And in that world, the grim joke that emerged among staff at the Tavistock has come true. There are no gay people left.  

[mixamorphosis]

Blog post and linked up tracklist [HERE]

Tracklist

01. Slow Meadow - Palemote (Self Released) 02. Fumio Miyashita - See The Light (Abridged) (Light In The Attic) 03. A conversation with Rickie Lee Jones (Youtube) 04. Umber - All The Ships (Oxide Tones) 05. Birds Of Passage - On Our Hands (Dronarivm) - Proceeds go to Warchild 06. Caught In The Wake Of Forever - Faultless Youth Declined (Dronarivm) - Proceeds go to National Suicide Prevention Helpline 07. Weyes Blood - Everybody's Talking (Mexican Summer) 08. The Green Kingdom - Bell Garden (ambimix) (Rusted Tone Recordings) 09. candysomething - Sellotape (Self Released) 10. Levi Patel - Her Angled Beauty (Self Released) 11. Evan Bartholomew - Medicine / Healing (Newlands Music) 12. Good Weather For An Airstrike - Breathing (ft Inachus) (Hawkmoon Records) 13. William S. Fischer - Chains (Late Night Tales) 14. The Cinematic Orchestra - To Believe (Ninja Tune) 15. Hampshire & Foat - The Solitude Of Certitudes (Parts 1 & 2) (Athens Of The North) 16. Man Watching The Stars - Fields (Self Released) 17. Charles Bukowski on life 18. Agnes Obel - Poem About Death (Late Night Tales) 19. Endless Melancholy - In Transition From Anxiety To Acceptance (Dronarivm) 20. Jonathan Fitoussi - Aquarius (Further Records) 21. Katarzyna Borek - Uranus for Craig Armstrong (Weather Storm) (BITTT)

Download available via [Hearthis]

[australianwomensnews]

Charlotte Jerrim was just 19 when she decided upon breast implants.

The now 28-year-old said there were no checks of her physical or mental health beforehand, nor was she properly warned about the risks.

“I was young and I purely wanted them for cosmetic reasons,” the Canberra woman told this masthead. “At the time, a lot of my friends had them and there was social pressure to have bigger boobs.”

It was not long before she started to experience issues with her health; brain fog, a rash that would come and go, migraines, chronic fatigue and changes to her menstrual cycle. She battled the symptoms for six years before being diagnosed with Systemic Symptoms Associated with Breast Implants (SSBI) and opted to have an explant.

“If I had been counselled about why I wanted the surgery and properly made aware of the associated risks, I don’t think I would have got them,” she said.

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery is now required to have a referral to the surgeon from a general practitioner who will assess the mental and physical health of patients before recommending them for any procedure.

The requirement is part of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) new National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards (Cosmetic Surgery Standards), to be implemented alongside every service where cosmetic surgery is performed, from small day procedure clinics, through to large health organisations and builds on rules announced by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in July.

Along with patient suitability, cosmetic surgery advertising must now comply with legislation and national codes and guidelines to avoid manipulating or deceiving customers.

Clinicians must obtain informed consent from patients about expected outcomes, potential risks and possible outcomes, and the costs associated should complications arise. They must also establish a complaints service and seek feedback from patients about their experiences and outcomes or care.

Services are now required to have credentialing processes to verify the qualifications and experience of all practitioners performing cosmetic surgery. Meanwhile, post-operative care instructions must be provided to patients, including what to do in case of an emergency, with clinicians to ensure comprehensive post-operative reviews are undertaken.

The standards do not include non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic injectables and thread lifts and fat freezing.

Since September 2022, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has fielded 179 formal complaints and 428 calls to the Cosmetic Surgery Helpline. It is estimated that $473 million has been spent in Australia this year on cosmetic surgery, according to IBS World research.

[aboutanancientenquiry]

The first editorial of Syllogos-Herodotus Journal

Syllogos 1 (2022) 12 October 2022

EDITORIAL

The first issue of any new journal must invite the obvious question: ‘why?’ In the case  of  Syllogos,  it  is  a  question  that  can  only  be  answered,  first,  by  a  story  of  origins.  The  journal  has  its  roots  in  an  online  seminar  series  that  began  in  the  context  of  the  first  COVID-19  lockdown  of  2020.  The  choice  of  Herodotus  as  a  focus  for  that  seminar  was  made  in  part  simply  because  of  his  centrality  in  the  study of antiquity, but also as a symbol: of the value of contact across boundaries and of a boundless intellectual curiosity. The seminar was intended to make up for  the  sudden  interruption  of  any  collective  research  activity  at  the  time,  but  also — aware, as we had to be, that there were more important concerns — as an expression of international fellowship. The warmth of the atmosphere that developed  in  that  unique  moment  has  persisted.  The  ‘Herodotus  Helpline’  has  now  taken on a more formal status as a charitable organisation with ‘members’. But it has always been conceived as — and we hope will remain — an antidote to more formal, established subject associations: a venue where free, frank and friendly dialogue is the norm, where all scholars and students of Herodotus and his world are welcomed and supported, and where ‘grandstanding’, ceremony or boorishness have no place. 

The trigger for us to give serious thought to publishing the results of our dialogue was a passing suggestion of Paul Demont’s: ‘can you not publish it?’ (Fittingly, the paper in question is one of the first published here.) The journal’s title Syllogos  (‘joint  discussion’,  assembly)  recalls  its  origins  in  the  collective  of  the  Helpline  seminar.  (The  word  σύλλογος  is  used  within  the  Histories,  for  example,  for  the  seven  conspirators  who  wrested  back  the  Persian  throne  from  the  false  Smerdis.)  But  the  journal’s  title  also  speaks  to  our  ambitions.  Syllogos  is  a  journal committed to the widest possible dialogue, the widest possible engagement with Herodotus and his world. Just as the Helpline has a world-wide membership, we  encourage  submissions  from  authors  from  any  language  tradition  or  back-ground; from any discipline; from established scholars and from those beginning their studies; from those with university affiliations or with none. 

Syllogos  is  also  intended  for  the  widest  possible  readership.  The  journal  is ‘open-access’ not only in the limited sense that there are no barriers (beyond internet  access)  to  reading  or  publishing,  but  also  in  the  kind  of  material  that  we  publish.  ‘Critical  round-ups’  (this  issue  includes  the  first  of  these  by  Alexander  Meeus)  survey  both  our  current  understanding  and  the  history  of  scholarship  on  particular  central  themes,  in  a  manner  which  is  readily  understandable  by  students  and  general  readers  as  well  as  scholars.  Everything  we  publish  will  be edited to avoid the jargon or unexplained abbreviations that too often render scholarly publications inaccessible to all but the initiated.  

Syllogos is also, finally, committed to honouring a plurality of voices. Echoing the polyphony of Herodotus’ text, we do not publish single reviews of important new publications; instead we invite multiple responses, and invite the authors to respond in turn. (This issue includes twin reviews, by Suzanne Marchand and Maren  Elisabeth  Schwab,  of  the  Herodotus  Encyclopaedia.)  Future  issues  will  offer  similar  reflections  on  the  most  significant  interpretations  of  past  decades,  both  those  that  are  widely  credited  as  influential  and  others  whose  importance  has perhaps been overlooked. 

That Syllogos has become a reality is the result again of a very collective effort.  First,  it  could  not  have  happened  without  the  support  of  a  number  of  institutions:   the   Christian-Albrechts   University   of   Kiel,   Columbia   University,   Sorbonne  Université,  the  Universities  of  Genova,  Leicester  and  St  Andrews,  Swarthmore College, the Association ‘Sauvegarde des enseignements littéraires’, and,  not  least,  the  Propylaeum  team  of  the  University  Library  of  Heidelberg  (especially,  Maria  Effinger,  Daniela  Jakob  and  Daniela  Wolf).  John  Marincola  (Histos), Douglas Field (the James Baldwin Review), and Anthony Cond (Liverpool University Press) all generously shared their experience and advice. Lida Cardozo Kindersley and John Mawby of the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop designed a new Greek typeface (Kindersley Greek) for exclusive use by Syllogos. Jenny Messenger (Atomic Typo), our typesetter, and Wong Tsz have made an immense contribution to the design of the journal, to the page and cover design respectively. 

Final  mention,  however,  must  go  to  two  figures  who  can  no  longer  be  thanked in person. P.J. Rhodes — a generous, authoritative presence at nearly all of the Helpline’s early meetings — helped to shape the journal’s style guidelines. (The rule that authors’ names are cited as they sign off their own work — by initials or  first  names  —  is  a  concession  to  Peter’s  robust  preference  for  the  use  of  initials.) Although Doris Post’s first passion was Sophocles, her warmth, enthusiasm and initiative were central to the initial planning of the journal — of which she was due to be production manager. (Each year from 2023, the journal will publish the winning essay of the Doris Post prize for early career researchers.) We hope that Syllogos will grow to become a fitting tribute to them both, to the generations of readers of Herodotus on whose contributions we are building, and to the Father of History himself. 

Paul Demont 

John Dillery

Francesca Gazzano

Thomas Harrison

Jan Haywood 

Elizabeth Irwin

Polly Low

Andreas Schwab

 Pietro Vannicell

Source: https://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/syllogos/article/view/91137/85879

[oceaneducation]

Trigger Warning TW: Story of a Survivor, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse There are moments in life that you never forget. One of them was when I first dialed “Nummer gegen Kummer”, a helpline for children and Youth. As many of you know, I am an advocate against domestic violence. I became interested in marine conservation when I met fishermen's wives in Peru in 2008 who were being abused by their husbands. What I'm writing about today for the first time: I myself am a survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse in my childhood and youth. One of my resources at the time was the helpline “Nummer gegen Kummer" (“number against sorrow”). It must have been at school that I first heard about the number. One day, when I was home alone, I sat down on the stairs to the 1st floor so that I could always see the driveway. I nervously clutched the phone. I dialed the number, my whole body was shaking. I can still remember how much I cried and was relieved to have an adult just listening to me. I was also very afraid of being discovered during the calls. Since the calls are taken over by Deutsche Telekom and are anonymous, the telephone number does not appear on the bill. It was also a relief for me that the calls were free because I didn't have any pocket money. Until I moved out at the age of 19, I turned for help by dialing the “Nummer gegen Kummer”. From my experience I know how difficult it is to ask for support. I often thought to myself: "Is it even worth it? I have to do it alone!" But it's okay to reach out for support. Why didn't I ask anyone for help then? The culture of my family of origin played a major role in this, in which it was not proper to talk about private problems with outsiders. The racism I encountered growing up in Germany also made my trust in those around me crumble. So the number was my lifeline at a time when I was struggling to keep my head above water. Check out www.nummergegenkummer.de for more information. Growing up, I got to know another helpful counseling service: The "Violence against women" helpline caters specifically to women and girls: Bullying, stalking, forced marriage, rape or human trafficking - the "Violence against Women" help line provides advice on all forms of violence. Check out https://www.hilfetelefon.de/en.html. They provide help in 18 languages and more. Why am I telling you my story today? Because in the last few years I've remembered my WHY, why I started to stand up for women's rights: When I was a child, I swore to myself that when I reached adulthood, I would do my part to ensure that girls and women never again experienced violence. Every third woman in Germany is affected by sexual and/or physical violence. I don't want to hide behind anonymous statistics to take action against domestic and sexual violence. I myself am a survivor. I survived to speak about it. I survived to tell people about the help that saved me and that I wished I had had more of as a child. Today, at the age of 38, I can say: Thank you dear team of the “Nummer gegen Kummer” for your help. These counseling offers cannot replace therapy. But if it weren't for the positive experience I had with the advisors back then, I wouldn't have regained hope to work for marine conservation, women's rights and diversity. My goal is that in the future even more young people who are looking for help will have access to counseling services. Let's work together so that no call for help goes unheard! So feel free to share and spread the word. Thank you! #support #womensrights #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Therapy #grief #domesticviolence #survivor #abuse #believesurvivors #orangeyourcity #orangetheworld #orangeday #16days #humanrights #unwomen #femalepower #gender #equality #noviolence   #endgbv #violenceagainstwomen #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #international #girls #women #metoo #femaleempowerment #feminism

[newsonradar001]

Chandigarh News Today in Hindi: Top Updates You Should Know!

Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is a bustling city known for its modern architecture, urban planning, and rich cultural heritage. From political developments to social events and lifestyle changes, Chandigarh remains a hub of activity. Here are the top updates from Chandigarh News Today in Hindi

1. Chandigarh's Air Quality Concerns

With the arrival of winter, Chandigarh has started witnessing a gradual decline in air quality. Experts have raised concerns over the increasing pollution levels, which are primarily due to vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning in neighboring states. The administration is pushing for stricter measures to curb air pollution, including promoting public transportation and reducing industrial emissions.

2. Chandigarh University Hosts Innovation Summit

Chandigarh University recently hosted an Innovation Summit, bringing together students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The event focused on the role of technology in addressing real-world challenges. From AI-based healthcare solutions to eco-friendly transportation models, the summit showcased innovative ideas and solutions that could revolutionize industries.

3. Smart City Project Advances

Chandigarh’s Smart City project is making steady progress. The city administration announced the launch of several new initiatives aimed at improving public services, traffic management, and waste management. As part of the project, smart traffic signals, integrated command centers, and advanced waste disposal systems are being implemented across the city.

4. Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Elections

The political scene in Chandigarh is heating up as municipal corporation elections are just around the corner. Political parties are gearing up with campaigns and rallies to secure votes. Issues such as water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure development are expected to dominate the election agenda.

5. Boost in Tourism

Chandigarh has seen a rise in domestic and international tourists, thanks to the city's growing reputation as a tourist-friendly destination. The government has been promoting cultural festivals, eco-tourism, and heritage sites to attract more visitors. The Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and Rose Garden continue to be popular attractions for tourists.

6. COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Updates

Chandigarh's COVID-19 vaccination drive is moving at a rapid pace, with the majority of the eligible population already vaccinated. The administration has now shifted its focus to booster doses and vaccinating schoolchildren. Health officials have been urging the public to remain cautious and continue following safety protocols.

7. Educational Reforms in Chandigarh Schools

The education sector in Chandigarh is seeing significant changes, with new reforms aimed at improving the quality of education. The administration has introduced digital learning platforms and skill development programs to ensure students have access to modern education tools. Teachers are also being trained to adapt to new teaching methodologies.

8. Development of New Green Spaces

Chandigarh is set to develop more green spaces and parks to enhance the city's urban environment. Several new parks are being planned, with a focus on promoting physical activity and community engagement. These spaces will also contribute to improving the city's air quality and biodiversity.

9. Chandigarh Police Introduces Women Safety Measures

To enhance women's safety in the city, the Chandigarh Police have introduced new initiatives such as increasing patrols in sensitive areas, deploying more female officers, and setting up a dedicated helpline for women. The aim is to make Chandigarh a safer place for women and improve public confidence in law enforcement.

10. Cultural Events and Festivals

Chandigarh is gearing up for the festive season with a variety of cultural events. From Diwali celebrations to music festivals and food fairs, the city is embracing its vibrant cultural diversity. These events not only bring together the community but also boost the local economy by attracting tourists.

Conclusion

Chandigarh continues to evolve as a modern city with a blend of tradition and progress. Whether it's technological advancements, political developments, or cultural celebrations, the city remains dynamic and full of energy. Stay updated with the latest news from Chandigarh to keep yourself informed about important changes and events in the city.

[northeastjobs]

Helpline Worker - Mental Health

Mental Health Matters are looking to employ a Helpline Worker - Mental Health Contract Type: Permanent | Working Pattern: Please see advert text | Salary: £24,960, with progression to £27,560 per annum (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours) | Advert End Date: 19/06/2024 23:59 |  http://dlvr.it/T7FXRm

[tvbuzzerstory]

Government Launches Nationwide Campaign for Mental Health Awareness

Introduction

In a landmark move to address one of the most pressing health concerns of our time, the Indian government has launched a nationwide campaign for mental health awareness. This initiative, heralded as a significant step towards destigmatizing mental health issues, aims to educate the public, provide accessible resources, and integrate mental health into the broader healthcare system.

The Urgency of Mental Health Awareness

Mental health has often been a neglected aspect of healthcare in India. According to the National Mental Health Survey of India, conducted by NIMHANS in 2016, nearly 14% of India's population requires active mental health interventions. Despite the high prevalence, Trending Health News Today India there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals, and the stigma surrounding mental illness often prevents individuals from seeking help.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, with increased cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders reported nationwide. The economic downturn, social isolation, and uncertainties about the future have further contributed to the mental health crisis. Recognizing these challenges, the government's campaign is a timely and necessary intervention.

Key Components of the Campaign

Public Education and Awareness   :

The campaign focuses on educating the public about the importance of mental health, recognizing symptoms of mental health disorders, and understanding that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Various media platforms, including television, radio, social media, and print, are being utilized to disseminate information.

School and Workplace Programs    :

Recognizing that early intervention can significantly impact outcomes, the campaign includes programs aimed at schools and workplaces. Training sessions for teachers and employers on identifying and addressing mental health issues are part of this initiative. Students and employees will have access to workshops and resources to support their mental well-being.

Expanding Access to Services   :

To address the shortage of mental health professionals, the government is working on expanding telemedicine services, making it easier for people in remote areas to access mental health care. Additionally, Trending Health News Today India there is an effort to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare centers, ensuring that mental health care is accessible and affordable.

Helpline Services    :

A nationwide helpline has been established to provide immediate support to those in distress. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to offer assistance, guidance, and referrals to appropriate services.

Combating Stigma     :

Reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues is a critical component of the campaign. Public figures, including celebrities, athletes, and influencers, are being enlisted to share their experiences and advocate for mental health awareness. By normalizing conversations around mental health, the campaign aims to create a more supportive environment for those affected.

Collaborative Efforts

The success of this campaign relies on the collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and the community at large. NGOs and mental health advocates play a crucial role in reaching out to vulnerable populations and providing on-ground support. Healthcare providers are being trained to incorporate mental health screenings and referrals into their routine practices.

The Road Ahead

While the launch of this campaign is a significant step forward, sustained efforts and continuous evaluation are essential to its success. Mental health is a long-term commitment, Trending Health News Today India and the government must ensure that funding, resources, and political will are consistently directed towards this cause.

The campaign's ultimate goal is to create a society where mental health is given the same importance as physical health, where individuals feel empowered to seek help, and where support systems are robust and accessible. As the nation embarks on this journey, it is imperative that every citizen recognizes the importance of mental health and contributes to building a healthier, more empathetic India.

Leveraging Technology for Mental Health

The government is also harnessing technology to expand the reach of mental health services. This includes    :

Telemedicine    :

Expanding telemedicine services to provide remote consultations with mental health professionals. This is particularly crucial for reaching individuals in rural and underserved areas where access to mental health services is limited.

Mobile Apps     :

Developing and promoting mobile apps that offer mental health resources, self-help tools, and direct access to professional support. These apps are designed to be user-friendly and cater to a wide range of mental health needs.

Online Platforms   :

Creating online platforms where people can access educational materials, participate in forums, and seek anonymous support from peers and professionals. These platforms aim to create a safe space for discussing mental health issues without fear of stigma.

Conclusion

The nationwide campaign for mental health awareness launched by the Indian government marks a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis in the country. By focusing on education, accessibility, and reducing stigma, this initiative aims to create a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized, Trending Health News Today India and individuals feel empowered to seek help. With sustained effort and collaboration across various sectors, this campaign has the potential to bring about a transformative change in how mental health is perceived and treated in India.

[elvesandlanterns]

Ghost helpline part 20

friend or foe

The man hadn’t been kidding about not wanting to play babysitter. At Damian’s assistance that he didn’t need anything Ziyad took his own piece of cake and waved him off. Not really caring where Damian went.

He debated going after the man and demand answers but didn’t. He needed to know how he had that strip of white in his hair. How? Why? Was this the demons fault? Zatanna had said she reeked of the pits, whatever that meant.

He needed to know. He need to know if there was anyway to help Todd. His brother didn’t deserve the side effects the pit had given him. He’d never known the Todd from before… but well if Todd’s anger could be fixed and Damian had a chance to do it and he didn’t take it.….

He continued walking. The assassin supposed being overlooked as just a child was at time’s advantageous. Even if it made him angry.

The location of her room was practically spoon fed to him, pink taped arrows leading the way to an entire wing of the mansion that was presumably hers.

It was overtly colorful.

Her room was cozy. Damian wasn’t sure what a teenage girls room is supposed to look like. After all Browns and Cassandra’s rooms were probably not the best examples.

Her closet was overflowing with clothes, shoes and accessories. He checked the pockets and found a few switch blades and - guns. Typical self defense items for a woman in Gotham really. Damian opened jewelry boxes and riffled threw accessories. Some he assumed to be enchanted.

He left the closet to check the desk and bookshelf’s for anything incriminating. Ugh. Even the paper was colorful. Thankfully the type writer was black. There were little notes about her brothers things they liked, days they were going to be busy and stuff like that. There was also reference to someone named Jack and someone named Pink. Most likely aliases- he would have to research them later.

Dishes crowded every serface. Honestly how did this huge family not have any servants. The boy grimaced. Pennyworth would never allow a patients room to get this bad.

Well this at least told him one thing. The masters family definitely had something to hide. If they didn’t someone would have been hired to up keep this place!

There were spell books, okay maybe it was just poetry. There was paper slips with symbols loose in her drawer.

Damian pocketed a couple.

There were notebooks filled with languages he didn’t recognize. A lot of it was repeating. It was as if she was practicing how to write. Damian stilled and looked back at the book shelf. The English books were the level of a first grader. And the tomes were filled with grammatical notes. It made him bite his lips together, did she not know how to read?

Whatever. A good portion of the world is illiterate. She could still be a mastermind, this proved nothing.

He moved on to the cream yellow mini fridge. It was covered in glitter stickers and magnets. Notes stuck to the top.

“Hey Vi! Ask Bella if he can contact me about the SBS. We’ve run into an issue with the current shipment - love Red”

Damian took a picture of the note. Good god how many people were involved in all this? Were the masters involved? Did they know their “precious” daughter was a monster?

The little assassin felt his insides squirm at the wording. Weird he hadn’t had a qualms about calling her that before. Why did it suddenly fill him with trepidation?

The fridge was surrounded by pill bottles and glass jars filled with dried herbs. The labels were written in a different persons handwriting . A sigh escaped him.

All right time to check the fridge.

Damian has no idea what demons eat but he doubted it was anything good. Human remains? Blood? Something horrible he supposed. Hopefully something he could use as evidence.

The door opened to reveal…. Liquid vitamins and supplements ??? Well she had been sick recently. Maybe it was a common occurrence? Or maybe she was able to eat what she’s supposed to? And if so why? Was she actually being ethical and kind?

There were glowing green juice pouches. Damian berated himself for not bringing a satchel. The size of the things he could swipe was limited to his pockets. No matter he could get it next time.

He paused. Next time? Since when did he start thinking about coming back here?

—- —- —-

The bathroom in Vlad’s room had steam spill out in waves. Violet had never gotten around to moving her things into her own bathroom. Dad didn’t seem to mind and… it was just easier. It was easier to exist in someone else’s space.

To use dads bathroom and sleep in Billy’s bed and eat Klarion’s food. To exist in a space so lovingly lived in she knew she wouldn’t disappear.

She looked at her natural state in the mirror. Her nose twitched. That boy knew she was a demon, he had yelled it at her when they’d “meet”. And now he was suddenly over to apologize? An Al Ghul apologizing ? And to someone “beneath” them ? How laughable.

She couldn’t find her brush. She ran her claws threw her hair with a frown. The cracks on her body … looked different? Smaller and faded around the edges of her arms. Her fingers were still drenched in black but had taken on a more purple sheen.

There was still a black cracked piece on her chest.

She would have thought the teleportation flu would have made her condition worse but… she looked better? Maybe her medicine really was helping?

She’d have to show her Aunties, maybe Frostbite? There weren’t exactly a lot of people comfortable working on her. Ethier she was a demon, or the wrong kind of demon, or an amputee or a woman of something!

Not that it mattered very few people knew how to treat her condition. And so far it was considered incurable.

The black cracks pulsed painfully. She shifted into her human disguise.

Well time to get this over with. Chances were instead of an apology she was going to receive an offer. And maybe… maybe if Damian wasn’t technically an Al Ghul….. maybe she could….

Violet, Konstelacio, hopeful and sad followed the pink arrows to her room to find a hair brush before having to see the boys face again.

Except she opened the door and his face was already there.

“What are you doing in my room?!”

Note:

Not burying the lead here Bella (Bellatric) is Brett

Can anyone guess what SBS is?

[hrblusky]

Support for Mental Health in the UAE is Growing 

The UAE has been working for years to promote the development of mental health services for the community. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted this need even more. And in the latest development, changes to UAE personal law have placed suicide and help from support groups back in the spotlight. Those who attempt suicide but survive will have counselling and psychological support, rather than face prosecution. 

A recent study led by the World Health Organization showed that depression and anxiety cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. 

The problem is often exacerbated in the UAE as so many expatriates come from close-knit communities back home and face stress from living away from this support structure. Being away from home provides benefits from living in a multi-cultural environment but also brings stress related to issues such as finance, work overload, health, loneliness, and family relationships. 

Research shows that stressed employees are more likely to: 

Leave the company 

Take sick days 

Have a workplace accident 

Have a weak emotional connection to the workplace 

Obtaining a budget is rarely easy, but organizations need to look at the return on investment of a healthy, happy, and engaged employee who is more focused and productive. 

Despite challenges, many companies now offer mental health support for employees as awareness and recognition of the problem grows in the UAE. 

One solution is to outsource mental health support by engaging with a third-party health administrator and setting up a hotline especially for employees in stressful situations, such as the loss of a loved one, to help them deal with issues as they arise. 

There are several providers of such schemes in the UAE including: 

ICAS International (part of the AXA Insurance group) 

American Wellness Centre 

Thrive Wellbeing Centre 

Lighthouse Arabia 

At a cost of approximately Dh120-Dh160 per year, per person, employees can access personal support hotlines, online health portals, and other services that extend to employees’ families. Often access is provided to professional counselling psychologists, legal financial experts, coaches and nutritionists. 

For organizations who can afford an in-house provision, an employee welfare programmer (EAP) may be the answer. 

Typically, an EAP might include any of these services: 

Clinical or counselling psychologist assessment 

Face-to-face intervention counselling 

Health information 

Managerial/occupational health referral 

On-site training, briefings, and workshops 

Planned telephone counselling 

The UAE Government has also set up centrally funded services, including a mental health helpline manned by over 30 specialists made up of counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Run by the UAE National Programmer for Happiness and Wellbeing (NPHW), in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, it was established to help people cope with stress, fear and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Services include: 

Leaves Dubai, for women going through difficulties in marriage or divorce 

Mental Health UAE, an online directory and support network 

Safe Space, a free community including mental health support through events and other activities 

If you see the value in taking care of your employees and want support in managing medical benefits or outsourcing your employee services, why not look at HRBluSky, our UAE based HRMS offering cost-effective and customizable solutions to support your business. 

[qnewsau]

Nineteen recommendations from NSW Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/nineteen-recommendations-from-nsw-inquiry-into-lgbtiq-hate-crimes/

Nineteen recommendations from NSW Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes

The long-awaited report from a Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes in NSW has made 19 recommendations.

The final report contains seven recommendations relating to specific cases, as well as 12 recommendations relating to investigative and record management practices and procedures, including:

Establishment of a review or audit by NSW Police of all unsolved homicides for the period 1970 to 2010, including review of exhibits and those that should be submitted for forensic testing in light of possible technological advances.

Several recommendations relating to the enhancement of the Unsolved Homicide Team (UHT) including a review of practices, procedures and resourcing of the UHT, and provision of training.

Implementation of mandatory and ongoing training for NSW Police officers concerning the LGBTIQ community, including in relation to LGBTIQ bias crime, conscious and unconscious bias in investigations, and the engagement of appropriately qualified experts to ensure international best practice in NSW.

In particular, the Inquiry looked into the 88 deaths or suspected deaths of men potentially motivated by gay hate bias that were investigated by Strike Force Parrabell.

In a series of public hearings, the deaths of 32 people were examined in detail.

READ MORE: We never let Scott go

Police blasted in last hearing of NSW Hate Crimes Inquiry

The Inquiry also looked at social, legal and cultural factors affecting the LGBTIQ community, as well as the nature of the relationship between the LGBTIQ community and the NSW Police Force over the 40-year period.

In the course of its work the Inquiry examined more than 150,000 documents, issued more than 400 summonses, made public appeals for information, and held public and private hearings.

The final report comprises of almost 3500 pages.

“The comprehensive work undertaken by the Inquiry has shone a light on some of the darkest events in our states history, NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said.

“I know many members of our community have been deeply impacted by the events examined by the Inquiry and the reopening of wounds that has been a difficult but necessary part of this process.”

“We hope that in a small way this process will have provided some level of closure and healing.”

“Our work here is far from over and our focus now shifts to ensuring we deliver a meaningful and decisive response., We owe nothing less to victims, their families and friends.”

“I thank all of those who came forward with information or otherwise assisted the Inquiry – for your contributions and staunch advocacy for partners, family members, friends and community,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“It takes courage to relive the traumatic experiences you have shared as partners, family and friends who have lost loved ones, and as a community that has suffered unimaginable injustice.”

“Thank you also to Commissioner Sackar and the entire Inquiry team for your tireless work in pursuing justice for the victims of these crimes.”

Premier Chris Minns said the NSW government “will now take the time required to thoroughly consider the Commission’s report.”

If you need someone to talk to, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[planindiango]

I Want to Create Child Marriage Free Villages

In India’s southern state of Telangana, close to 27 per cent of girls get married between the ages of 15 and 19. A vast majority of these marriages take place in rural areas, predominantly among the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

This situation is all too familiar to 18-year-old Ragini* who has seen many teenage girls in her area being forced into child and early marriage by their parents. Ragini, however, is determined that she won’t keep quiet and will do something about it.

My father abandoned me soon after I was born. He wanted a boy. He didn’t want to take up the responsibility of raising a girl child. Barely able to make ends meet, he couldn’t face the prospect of any more hardship to raise money for my dowry in the future. He left my mother and I was brought up by her and my grandmother.

My birth was a result of arranged marriage between my parents. My mother was barely 18. She didn’t have any say in her own marriage that so dramatically changed her life.

I have grown up witnessing the extreme suffering my mother has endured in raising me all by herself – particularly in a society that places even less value on a woman abandoned by her husband. She works very hard as a manual labourer to earn just about enough for us to survive.

Her daily struggles serve as a strong reminder to me as to why girls should never be forced into marriage and why they must be given an education to stand on their own two feet.

When I was in class 8, I became aware that my friend and classmate was getting married – her parents arranged it for her. I was shocked and deeply upset for her. I reported the matter to my teachers who met with the girl’s parents but to no avail. The parents were adamant and strongly resisted anyone interfering into their private affair.

My teachers backed off, but I wasn’t prepared to let this injustice happen to my friend who was just a child. I mobilised about 10 girls in my class and reported the matter to the local authorities. With their intervention the child marriage was stopped. It made me realise that if girls raise their voice, things can change.

A year ago, I became part of Plan India Girls Advocacy Alliance project that’s working to end child marriage in my district and is empowering girls to realise their rights.

Being part of a movement that involves many other girls like me has boosted my confidence and strengthened my resolve to make a difference. I have learnt how I can advocate for girls’ rights, mobilise girls to stand up for themselves and influence those who can make things better for them.

With the knowledge and skills I have gained, I have now taken on the challenge to make as many villages child marriage free as possible. I speak to religious and community leaders, hold meetings with local government officials and regularly motivate girls and their parents to put an end to child marriage. Only when the society starts valuing girls equally to boys, real change will happen.

It’s not easy to convince people to change their mindset. It takes a lot of effort. I am used to facing resistance from parents and community elders, but I don’t shy away from speaking my mind. If necessary, I remind them it’s illegal to get their daughters married off if they are under 18.

On the other hand, I tell girls about the help they can access if they are ever in that situation. They can call the helpline or even go the police. I strongly feel that people responsible for child marriage must not go unpunished. Slowly, the change is happening. It will take time, and I am not expecting miracles overnight.

I have completed my A levels and want to pursue a degree in commerce. I want to be a civil servant and pull myself and my mother out of poverty. Recently, my father made contact with us and visits us occasionally. Despite the extreme challenges of the past, I want to keep looking ahead.

Girls tell me that they feel inspired by me and think of me as a leader. I do feel proud of myself that despite all my personal struggles I never feel hopeless and beaten. On the contrary, I feel there is so much more I can achieve.

https://www.planindia.org/case-study/i-want-to-create-child-marriage-free-villages/

[leximsiel]

The Past Year (Drafted 22nd January, 2021)

(I thought I had posted about this some 2.5 years ago, but apparently not! It is a little self-serving praise, but I could do with some just now. It's also 1 of my 5 pieces of Reflective Accounts for Revalidation with the NMC.)

A few words about my involvement in the Covid pandemic.

In the past year, not only have I found myself a role in a new office that I enjoy, owning to the Covid-19 situation I was given a number of opportunities to prove my skills and adaptability in different settings:

Assisting in a helpline responding to staff enquiries about the Covid-19 situation with reference to board-wide guidelines specific to healthcare staff;

Taking part in setting up a staff well-being service in a district general hospital, and participating in providing peer support services to "frontline" NHS staff;

Participating in a follow-up process to engage with staff who were tested positive for Covid-19;

Participating in providing a phone based listening service for NHS and other health care workers;

And in my current role (at time of writing), co-ordinating the delivery of influenza vaccinations to vulnerable individuals who attend our CMHT, and also contributing to maximising immunity to Covid-19 within the local population.

The uncommon circumstances in my career prior to entering the pandemic had exposed me to the opportunities above, and I am grateful for the same. Whilst fully aware there is much for me still to learn about Nursing (and improving myself as a person), I long had confidence in my ability to adapt and the versatility to work in different challenging environments that had varying specifications under stress.

There are odd days when I think about if I wasn’t so far behind in my career, what more I could have taken part in, and I’d rather the pandemic didn’t happen at all, but I did manage to prove to myself the qualities I thought I had.

I’d like to think that the experiences have led me to become more pragmatic in my approach to Nursing, and certain other aspects of life. I’ve gotten more conscious of the impact that I could make with reference to quality improvement and leadership skills, and having more awareness about factors to be mindful of in the “setting up” phase of projects.