Militant Faction (Press, 10 September 1983)

The national conference on rape and sexual violence, organised by the Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.), took place at Victoria University and attracted about 500 women. Despite its purpose, the conference faced disruptions from a militant faction of lesbian activists who attempted to dominate the discussions. Mrs. Kate Weir, the Y.W.C.A. national president, remarked on the positive outcomes emerging from the conference in the aftermath of these disruptions. As the conference concluded, some participants expressed feeling overwhelmed and "battered" by the experience, yet acknowledged the educational value of confronting these challenging issues rather than retreating to comfortable surroundings. Sue Dyson, representing the Australian Y.W.C.A., highlighted the conference's focus on the dynamics of power exerted over women through rape and sexual violence. During the final plenary session, a heated moment occurred when representatives from the militant faction voiced their discontent with the conference's structure, particularly the voting process. They argued that voting would favour the perspectives of middle-class, white women, dismissing the views of a more diverse representation. This led to a decision not to vote on the remits but instead to present them as coming from the workshops themselves. A contentious point arose over a remit advocating for a police programme called “Keeping ourselves safe” to be implemented in primary schools, which some militants wanted removed. This sparked debate about the implications of not voting, as one participant articulated that rejecting the voting process also meant relinquishing the power to influence recommendations. Additionally, there were voices within the conference that called for a more unified discussion format instead of dividing into smaller workshops, hinting at a desire for inclusivity across all perspectives, including issues of racism. However, sentiments expressed indicated that some felt the militant faction aimed to dominate the discussions. The conference included workshops specifically for Māori and Pacific Island women, acknowledging the need for cultural sensitivity. A notable incident involved a request for a participant with ties to the Solomon Islands to leave a Pacific Island workshop, as it was designated for women of colour. Throughout the sessions, the presence of self-identified “feminist lesbians” was prominent, leading some heterosexual participants to feel sidelined. One Polynesian woman voiced her frustration over the existence of exclusive spaces for lesbian participants, questioning why there wasn't a similar provision for heterosexual women. Overall, the conference attempted to address critical issues regarding sexual violence and women's rights, yet it also reflected significant tensions among different factions within the women’s movement regarding representation, inclusion, and the process of collective decision-making.

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