Domestic Violence

[grandmoon]

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he believes a meeting between federal, state and territory leaders is the best forum to tackle domestic violence.

His comment follows a call by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in January for a national crisis summit on the issue so survivors, police, child protection officers, women's shelter staff, judges and federal, state and territory leaders could devise a national plan.

Seventeen in every 100 Australian women has faced violence from a current or previous partner, and on average one is killed each week.

"It's a national disgrace," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra.

What do you think needs to see changed ??

[vicr3000]

Lurker

ANOTHER example of the minority having far more influence than what they should and over ruling what is right for the majority ?

Either way, by the fact of the comments, it proves (partly) my point above about getting the message out to where men might see it.

[polksaladallie]

While we have seen blatant misogyny and sexism from leaders and others over the last several years, we should not be surprised that the respect of women (which has never been all that great) has decreased.

[vicr3000]

POLKS

Care to quote some actual examples ?

Instead of just generalised sweeping statements.

[grandmoon]

I would like to see more male councilors in the domestic violence areas.

[nevillesdaughter]

I offer no quick solutions but often think that a lot of nice people in the general populace need  confronting with the reality of domestic violence to truly understand.

A while ago I was involved with my local church's "Care and Concern" group. We ran a freezer with easy meals (frozen casseroles and a bag of pasta etc) for delivery to housebound, sick, bereaved etc, cleaned up refuge houses/emergency flats etc between occupants - general help-outs where needed in the local area. The sort of thing that goes on in communities everywhere.

I have always felt that one of the saddest things that some of these (mainly women) in crisis and needing immediate shelter and assisitance for themselves and their children, have nobody - or feel that they have nobody - they can turn to. In their position, I could, and would run to various family or several close friends - even at midnight if I needed to. I am extremely confident about this because I have been berated enough times for NOT doing it in times of minor crises like needing someone to collect the kids from school if too ill myself.

One day I was helping clean one of the refuge houses and said this to another worker (a nice middle-aged "church" lady whom I had not previously met) that given a beating or whatever, I'd run straight to my mother or sister for assistance and shelter - no matter the time of day or night.

Her response was "And she'd probably do the right thing and send you straight back to your hubby to work it all out"!

I was gobsmacked (pardon the pun). I tried to convince her that these situations were not marital spats over housekeeping or whatever but she remained convinced that it should "all be worked out" within the family if these women just put in the effort. She kept saying things like "There are two sides to every story, Dear"....

Sorry for being so long winded, but the conversation haunts me still and I pray that this lady's own daughter (or friend) is never in need of emergency help for a problem.

Marina.

[polksaladallie]

That woman belongs back in the 1960s or before, when everybody pretended that DV did not exist.  I hope she never has contact with anyone in trouble, for anything.  She lacks insight and compassion.

[grandmoon]

  nevillesdaughter 

 Unfortunately some people still have that attitude these days.

The mother of a man said "If only she would have his tea ready for him when he comes home he would have to hit her."  the fact that the woman was working full time and looking after the 3 children while only worked when he felt like it didn't matter to his mother.

[ladydeburg]

Sadly but there is still a mindset that is like that and not confined to older women either. It is a culture that is rife in ethnic communities but hidden.

Sending your daughter or son back into harms way is deplorable.

[vicr3000]

Federal and state governments commit $30 million for domestic violence campaign

Federal and state governments will spend $30 million on a national awareness campaign to stop domestic violence as Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced he will meet with Labor to discuss a bipartisan approach to the issue.

Michaelia Cash, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, told the National Press Club on Wednesday that domestic violence was a "scourge", noting that each week in Australia one woman is murdered at the hands of a current or former partner.  

"We need as a government and as a society to shine a spotlight on the issue." 

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/federal-and-state-governments-commit-30-millio...

[polksaladallie]

Queensland already set up a task force last year, and it is well underway.

Abbott is playing copycat catch-up for a boost.