Tuesday, 13 May 2025

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (13:52): May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. Counting Dead Women Australia and Destroy the Joint are reporting that at least 15 women are known to have been killed by violence so far this year. We hear government saying this has to stop and making various promises, and yet the violence continues, the deaths continue and there is a strange tacit acceptance that says volumes about how these deaths are really viewed, because if we actually cared, this would be a national emergency. Over one-fifth of children experience childhood abuse or witness parental violence before the age of 15. Growing up in a violent household is one of the strongest predictors of becoming a perpetrator of violence as an adult. Unless we do more to focus on breaking cycles of violence, women will continue to be murdered in their homes. There is so much we can do to better support these families. Ensuring enough safe and secure housing for all has to be at the top of the list, and we need income support that actually enables people to live rather than be in constant financial stress, cracking down on access to gambling and alcohol and early identification and intensive support for families showing signs of stress and dysfunction. We actually have all the answers, but first our governments must stop accepting that these deaths are inevitable.