Domestic Violence

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:29): I rise to promote an important campaign to stop domestic violence. One Million Stars is a campaign focused on ending domestic violence. It is a peaceful, inclusive art project, bringing communities together to discuss and act against domestic violence. One Million Stars was started by talented weaver, Maryann Talia Pau, after the rape and murder of a young woman in her local community. Maryann attributes this quote by Dr Martin Luther King Jr as her inspiration:

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

This project aims to have one million woven stars on display at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Communities around the world are joining together to send stars to the games. These stars are symbolic and represent light, courage and solidarity to end all forms of violence, including violence against women, bullying and racism.

The stars remind us to shine light into the world by being our best and most courageous self, to stand against violent behaviour and to work together to create change. For Maryann, the star is a reminder of her ancestors' skill, courage and innovation to navigate the oceans using the light of the stars. It is a connection to her Samoan and Pacific island culture, her loved ones, her values as an artist, collaborator and sister. This is an important project with a vision for change, and the following facts give momentum to this important life-saving change. We know that:

in Australia, at least one woman per week is killed by an intimate partner;

one in four Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner;

women are at least three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner and five times more likely to need medical attention or hospitalisation due to violence from an intimate partner;

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are more likely to experience high rates and more severe forms of violence compared with other women, being 35 times more likely to experience domestic or family violence and 31 times more likely to need medical attention or hospitalisation with a higher incidence of death;

intimate partner violence contributes to more deaths, disability and illness in women aged between 15 and 44 than any other preventable risk factor;

domestic or family violence is the single largest driver of homelessness for women; and

of the women who experience violence, more than half have children in their care.

This is shameful. We also know the children who have witnessed domestic violence are more likely to:

show aggressive behaviour;

develop phobias and insomnia;

experience anxiety;

show symptoms of depression;

have diminished self-esteem;

demonstrate poor academic performance and problem-solving skills;

have reduced social competence skills, including low levels of empathy;

show emotional distress; and

have physical complaints.

These facts are shameful and must stop. It will be a happy day of celebration when not one woman's life is lost at the hands of a partner who supposedly loves her. We must maintain the outrage and be incensed to generate the momentum to stop this intimate partner terrorism.

Recently, I had an opportunity to view an exhibit of stars while visiting the Cook Islands, and I was inspired by the initiative of witnessing the joining together of the community against domestic violence. This motivated me to act and register my commitment to this project on behalf of South Australia. So, get involved and join me and the South Australian community as we make Stars for South Australia, the name I registered under.

We will send the stars to be displayed at the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with all those from other states and countries. Call my office on 8374 1939, or email elder@parliament.sa.gov.au for information on how to get involved and we certainly will assist. Step up and join us as we say no to domestic violence.