Domestic Violence

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:49): I rise today to speak about two important events I have been privileged to work on with members of our southern community, events which rightly focus during our 16 Days of Activism around violence against women on preventing and ending domestic violence.

Many members of this house attended last week's White Ribbon Breakfast where we were again inspired by the extraordinarily courageous Rosie Batty when she spoke about how this scourge that is domestic violence reaches into every corner of our community, that it knows no boundaries in that it happens in every suburb in the big houses and the small ones, and in the families who have spent their entire lives here and in those who are newer community members.

It also knows no boundaries in terms of how we can respond. We can all play our part in ending it. We can all take responsibility to do whatever is within our power to speak up and out and spread the word that there is no excuse and violence is never an option. Our community, when we work together, has such a big, strong and powerful heart. It is so important that, as leaders in our community, we do whatever we can to ensure our laws, policies and services are the best that they can be for those who are affected by domestic violence.

We must also do whatever we can with local community members to raise awareness about the gender inequality that underpins the shocking statistics on domestic violence and that we raise awareness about how we can work together at a local level to address this inequality and to end this violence.

The Rise Up event to end domestic violence was held last Thursday in Ramsay Place. It was developed by community leaders, including those from the City of Onkaparinga, Uniting Communities, Anglicare SA, Communities for Children, Centacare, Community Health Onkaparinga, myself and my office. It was ably led by Malcolm Dean, a lovely man extraordinarily committed to bringing our community together to end violence against women. Local musician Forte performed, myself and others had the privilege of speaking, and community members enjoyed living art installations, activities for children and a community barbecue cooked by community foodies.

In ending the scourge that is domestic violence, it is crucial that these community groups take on leadership roles. It was wonderful to see them out in force, taking responsibility and doing their part in this challenge that our generation faces. I pay tribute to each of them for their work, their courage and their hope.

I have spoken to this house many times about domestic violence—one of the most pressing issues facing us today. Sadly, more than one woman per week has lost her life this year as a result of violence by a partner or former partner, and there is a devastating impact on the children who witness it. Formerly known as 1,000 Butterflies for Non-Violence, the Butterfly Walk, which will be held this Sunday at Christies Beach also as part of the 16 Days of Activism, is a wonderful symbol of our southern community's collective resolve that we will not stand for domestic violence.

I am deeply proud to be part of a community that actively works together to prevent and eradicate domestic violence. This year our community was directly affected by its horrific reality when we lost beautiful Jackie O'Hide, a young woman taken way too early. Her death, as well as the deaths of other South Australian women, serve as a stark and devastating reminder of the enormity of the problem that we face and the urgency of the actions that we must take to ensure that we do not mourn one more woman—not one more.

While our community still grieves for her loss and for the loss her two little boys will know for the rest of their lives, we have also pulled together as a community to reach out to any woman experiencing violence and to those who do not understand what respectful relationships are. This Sunday's Butterfly Walk will send another strong message that our southern community does not accept domestic violence.

I have been active for my entire life around the issue of domestic violence and will continue to speak up about it and encourage others to speak up also. I am committed to working with others to educate our boys and girls about respectful, appropriate and loving relationships. Butterfly Walk is a beautiful community display of a similar collective commitment. It is a gathering of community members with a message of hope that, when we work together as a community, we make a difference.

The Butterfly Walk and Rise Up are just parts of the journey that we are taking together in our southern community to end domestic violence. I look forward to continuing this journey with our southern community and, indeed, with all of the community leaders in this place, and I thank everybody for their efforts during this past week and beyond.