I was reading a report yesterday that ‘around 1000 women are violently assaulted across Australia every day. Nine out of ten domestic abuse incidents in Queensland go unreported.’ A Mount Glorious local Wendy Reid runs Australia’s CEO challenge engaging corporations on ways to prevent domestic violence.
It seems the statistics for domestic abuse are growing alarmingly every year. What on earth is happening here? I don’t know what the solution is, if as you say QCL 70% of murders by the woman’s husband occur after she goes to the authorities. Does that not further terrify these women to seek help and leave the relationship?
The article I was reading says ‘More than half of all homicide deaths in Qld last year were related to domestic family violence, with homicides as a result of domestic violence jumping nearly 40%.’ In Qld there were 25 domestic violence related deaths in Qld alone last year, up from 18 the year before. It is so sad to think that Allison is one of these when they analyse the statistics for 2012. I often wonder if she did ever report her experience of DV, as I feel sure it was happening on some level, and how many of her close friends and family knew it was happening. The shame would be just huge for a proud and competent woman.
I find this really hard to digest – ‘one in three women will experience violence by a partner in their lifetime.’ Wendy Reid says ‘Creating discussion around the issue is the first step towards addressing the issue.’ Well that’s true, but a lot more than discussion needs to happen. How many damaged children are being raised in these families, which is something I don’t see reported? The end of the article says ‘Men across Australia swore their commitment to oppose violence against women on White Ribbon Day last Sunday.’ How do we support these women and children, which includes protecting them long-term if they make the decision to leave the domestic violence situation? Enough is enough!