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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-05-02 Daily Xml
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Violence Against Women

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (15:22): Last Saturday I joined thousands of people across Australia, including our Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, demanding an end to violence towards women. I was angry that I was marching on this issue again. I am, however, much angrier that women are still being killed by men and, in most instances, by a man they know—often a partner or ex-partner.

I was determined to speak on this issue in our state parliament and I looked up the figures for how many women have been murdered by a man this year. That was on Saturday. These figures are incorrect already. In Australia in 2024, a woman is being killed by a man every four days. In April alone, 13 women have been killed by a man in Australia. This equals the number of Australians killed by terrorism in 108 years. This is a crisis and it has been for a long time, especially for First Nations women, who are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised than non-Indigenous women are.

I am of the belief that the language used in mainstream media plays a big part in how our community views women. There is certainly an increase in distaste, disrespect and disregard for women in many of our major media outlets, otherwise known as hate speech. This hate speech is also prevalent online. The communication of contempt for women is nothing new. However, the proliferation of digital and online media means that the prevalence of sex-based vilification is increasing and is more easily observable than before. Such speech represents a crisis of democracy through its silencing of women and limiting our democratic participation.

Of course, I cannot touch on all the elements contributing to this crisis in the time allotted, but I do wish to draw attention to the reporting of these crimes in the media. How often we read that the murderer is a good bloke, a top footballer and a lovely grandfather. He is not. He is a killer.

Domestic violence is also worse in Australia at Christmas and New Year's. There might be financial pressures, tensions negotiating custody of children and differing expectations around festivities, and they may be isolated from their usual community and supports. On top of this, there is an increase in the use of alcohol and other substances. It can also be harder for women to stay safe when family members are on holidays and in the home more than usual. There are better choices that men can make. They can choose a Christmas without violence and control, a Christmas filled with love and respect.

In addition, there is also an increase in violence against women after major sporting events. In Australia, this has been associated particularly with the AFL grand final and the Melbourne Cup, notably two events with high levels of gambling involved. Statistics also show that increases in violence are roughly the same whether the perpetrator's team wins or loses. There is also often alcohol at these events, but women drink alcohol at the football too and we are not killing our male partners.

With this behaviour in mind, I would like to draw attention to the Raiise program, supported by our government. We know the underlying cause of violence against women is gender inequality. The goal of Raiise is to support healthy, respectful environments and to contribute to the prevention of domestic and family violence. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing domestic and family violence, please call 1800RESPECT.

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