Discrimination and Other Barriers to Health Access

Discrimination is poor treatment, abuse or refusal of care on grounds such as ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, employment status, parenting or relationship status. It is illegal and should not be used against you in health services.

Complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/complaints_information/guides/info_sheet_dda.html

This information sheet provides consumer information on the Disability Discrimination Act, and includes information on how to seek assistance if you have experienced discrimination.

Organisation: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Gay and lesbian issues - discrimination

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gay_and_lesbian_issues_d...

This site discusses how homophobia and heteronormativity can affect the health of same-sex attracted women and your legal rights.  It also gives information on how to lodge a complaint if you have been discriminated against.

Women Centred: Yes
Organisation: Better Health Channel, Victorian Government

Gender Impact Assessment: Corrections Victoria

http://www.whv.org.au/gender-papers/corrections-gia.pdf

This paper examines how women's health issues can be addressed more effectively in the prison system. It is specifically aimed at service providers and policymakers.

Resource Type: PDF (57.0 KB)
Organisation: Women's Health Victoria

Koori Health in Victoria

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/koori/

The Koori Health website provides links to information about factors affecting Koori women's health, and how access to health services can be improved.

Women Centred: Yes
Organisation: Department of Human Services, Victoria

Prisoner Health

http://www.justiceaction.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=11&Ite...

Justice Action is a community-based advocacy group that fights against prisoner abuse and promotes reform.  The site contains information on women's health in- and post-prison.

Organisation: Justice Action Australia

Resources produced by the CEH

http://www.ceh.org.au/resources/resbyceh.html

The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) has produced several excellent documents on how health providers can cater more inclusively for clients of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Organisation: Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health

Rural Health

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/content/internal/page.cfm?ObjID=00003FB1-05C8-1D2D-81CF8...

Geography can be a barrier to women from rural and remote areas seeking specialist health services. This directory can assist women in rural Victoria to find accessible health service providers, including clinics, hospitals and mental health services.  It also addresses social health issues specific to rural women.

Women Centred: Yes
Organisation: HealthInsite

The Mental Health Legal Centre

http://www.communitylaw.org.au/mentalhealth/

The Mental Health Legal Centre provides a free and confidential legal service to anyone who has experienced mental illness in Victoria where their legal problem relates to their mental illness.

Organisation: The Mental Health Legal Centre