Page 939 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
At 6 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MS BERRY: The achievements that we have made of 48 per cent of women on ACT government boards, however, contrast starkly to the persistent presence of violence that is perpetuated against women and children who live in the ACT. During the same time as we have made gains here in women’s leadership and pay equity, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and the Canberra Rape Crisis Service, providing our city’s primary response in the area of domestic violence and sexual assault, have both seen a substantial increase in demand for their services.
We know that women who have been exposed to violence have a greater risk of homelessness and poverty and are at greater risk of developing a range of health problems. We also know that domestic violence has a significant negative impact on children and young people’s behaviour, cognitive and emotional development, wellbeing and lifelong opportunities. The ACT government continues to work on policies and responses to raise awareness. However, it really all has to be an all-in solution. So it is great to see all of us supporting this motion today.
We are working hard to create a shared commitment across the community with business, sporting associations, educators and the media to address violence against women and children. Last year in the 2016 violence prevention awards we recognised individuals and groups from businesses, the media and the community groups’ achievements in taking a stand to reduce violence against women in our community.
Ernst & Young received an award in the private sector award category for their work to organise ways in which the Canberra community can come together to provide in-kind assistance to those who have left abusive relationships. In the education category, sports professional Alan Tongue, a former Raiders captain, was recognised for his work for using his high profile in sport to educate and be a role model for young people, with a particular emphasis on assisting young men in developing positive behaviours and attitudes. Anyone who has seen Alan deliver his program will be in awe of his capacity to interact and connect with them and to deeply engage with young people that he has been working with. We need more people like Alan Tongue and more organisations like Ernst & Young to keep working on solutions for change.
There has been increased recognition that to make a substantial and lasting impact on addressing violence against women it is necessary to advance gender equality across the board, including addressing gender stereotyping, challenging discriminatory attitudes towards women and improving women’s economic and housing security. In some cases it is as simple as having the nerve to stand up and say, “Well, that’s not right and that’s not acceptable behaviour,” without expecting to be trolled, bullied or shamed in return. I believe that we can do this calling-out with respect but we must have the nerve to do it in the first place and we must stand with our sisters and brothers—and we do—when they have the courage to call it out.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video