Terrorism isn’t the problem, men are.
I can hear the gasps now as this comparison is drawn, men the world over yelling out in disagreement. But before you jump up in protest, you are the biggest problem in this country.
Where’s all the evidence? Well since you asked so nicely, here you go.
Since 2009, 626 women have lost their lives to domestic violence in Australia, while terrorism has taken three.
This comparison should never have to be made, but underfunding by the government and the naivety of Australian men is forcing it to happen.
On average an Australian woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Let that sink it…
A woman dies in this country, at the hands of someone she knows, every week.
And it’s happening in our homes, a cowardly act behind closed doors with research showing it’s often a gateway crime to other serious charges.
With one in four Australian women having experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
As the government handed down the 2017-18 Budget last month, you might have noticed the numerous promises and cuts made to the country. But did you hear the promises given to the victims of the biggest threat on Australian lives?
Funding cuts from 2016 have been reversed, with funding again supporting community legal services and the introduction of specialist family violence units that are designed to improve early intervention.
Although these are steps in the right direction, this is in drastic contrast to Victoria’s recent pledge of $1.9 billion to help support victims and stop the epidemic in one state.
While funding, education and campaigns are vital; you and your actions can make a difference. Over 200,000 accounts of DV are reported to authorities each year, but we still need to keep a look out and know the signs, as many aren’t reported.
By cutting funding and ultimately shutting down women’s refuges and DV community law services last year, they took away much needed resources for women and their families. The reintroduction of funding for these services will take time to come into effect and the current facilities will still feel the burden of the initial funding cuts in 2016.
These services are often the only options for victims fleeing these dangerous and life-threatening situations. As resources were being taken away, facilities were stretched beyond their limits to try and keep up with the demand for their services.
We must make the government remember this the next time they try to cut funding that could mean the difference between life and death for women in this country.
But even with the introduction of reimbursed funding, will the number of domestic violence victims trump 2016 figures?
All I ask is that you turn that anger, which I’m sure you’re feeling from the attack on your gender in this article, into action and change for the 20 women who have already lost their lives in 2017.
Domestic violence perpetrators come in every shape and size. You are no doubt vigilant of possible terrorists and shady behaviour on public transport. Yet, in reality you should be paying extra attention to the signs of domestic violence.
Know the signs, speak out and campaign to help stop the epidemic that has claimed 626 Australian women’s lives. And most importantly, start listening to the statistics.