Page 788 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 18 March 2015
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As policymakers, we need to heed the warnings that the significant drivers of domestic violence include the unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women and an adherence to rigidly defined gender roles and identities, particularly what it means to be masculine or feminine.
We have spoken in some detail in the last days about the many government responses, including some of the work done by ACT Corrective Services within my portfolio. In that context I thought it was interesting to reflect today on a related initiative of the government that seeks to promote respect in sports. The play by the rules framework states that sport and recreation activities should always be safe, fair and inclusive. Play by the rules can assist sports to address issues around discrimination, harassment and other forms of inappropriate behaviour and build safe, welcome and inclusive environments. While this is obviously not directed as a targeted domestic violence program, it speaks to the need for a respectful and inclusive society that values personal safety and respect. These types of initiatives can indeed be helpful as we as a community seek to reduce violence, particularly against women.
We have also spoken in some detail in the last days about the significant work done by our non-government service providers both in seeking to tackle the issue of domestic violence and particularly in supporting women who have been affected by or are at risk of domestic violence—groups such as the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Victim Support ACT, Beryl Women Inc and the Rape Crisis Centre. I welcome the unanimous support yesterday for the community legal centres, which play a very significant role. Given the deeper understanding I think we have all developed through some of the recent publicity, I hope we see some success as the attorneys-general collectively and state and territory governments make a case to the federal government to reinstate funding to those important services and commit to no further funding cuts in light of the very significant role they play in this space.
In summary, I welcome Mr Hanson’s motion and the spirit in which it has been brought here today. I am pleased the amendments to the motion are able to be supported by everyone here today, as they clearly support the intent of the motion, pick up work that has already been done and give it some extra emphasis in light of the very necessary public debate we have been having. I acknowledge that the sector and the government have been engaged in a number of roundtable events on domestic violence issues and that the government is working closely with stakeholders, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and the Victims of Crime Commissioner, to ensure that the ACT has a strong response to domestic and family violence. I welcome the review of domestic and family violence deaths in the ACT and I hope that it provides clear direction and information that will help guide further government services on this issue.
The outcome of this motion—that there is an extraordinary meeting with stakeholders and members of the Legislative Assembly—will be a useful contribution to the policy debate on domestic violence, and it is a timely one. While there is much understanding of domestic violence and while we understand much of what needs to be done, the case for further effort is clear. Sadly, domestic violence happens every day in our community and we must continue to confront it if we are to bring this scourge to an end. I support Mr Hanson’s motion and the amendment moved by
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