#stoptheviolence

The issue of domestic violence in Australia is once again in the spotlight. Calls for more to be done by the government, on both a state and federal level, have reached an all-time high.

After two women and a six year old girl were allegedly killed in domestic violence incidents in Queensland over the past week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has fast tracked a number of changes in the way the state deals with family violence (Agius & van Vonderen 2015).

The Queensland government is also working on identifying gaps in the support available for victims (Agius & van Vonderen 2015).

Lisa Wilkinson addressed the gaps in support systems and lack of government funding on the Today Show on Friday.

Wilkinson said that while domestic violence has reached ‘epidemic proportions’ in Australia, government funding for the issue does not reflect that (Hall 2015).

"This is all happening against a backdrop of women's refuges being closed, as calls to the national crisis assistance line go unanswered due to lack of funding and we rely on a system that turns women away in the moment of greatest need," Wilkinson said (Hall 2015). 

This year alone, 62 women have lost their lives in domestic violence incidents (Hall 2015). For far too long, this serious issue has been ignored by the government and it is important that a strong stance be taken against it now. 

As Dame Quentin Bryce said, if the issue of domestic violence in Australia is going to be solved, "the government must take the lead, must take action, must provide services and funding (Conifer 2015)."

Growing levels of awareness within the Australian community and increased media coverage is shining a light is on this once private issue. The government needs to work with the momentum and increasing funding and support to help stop the violence. 

References

Agius, K & van Vonderen, J 2015, 'Domestic violence: Queensland Premier announces changes after horrific week',ABC News, 14 September, viewed 14 September 2015, 
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-13/new-measures-to-stop-domestic-violence-in-queensland-palaszczuk/6771428

Conifer, D 2015, 'Domestic violence: 'Deeply disturbing' statistics a concern for all society, Dame Quentin Bryce says', ABC News, 6 April, viewed 14 September 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-06/domestic-violence-deeply-disturbing-statistics-dame-quentin-bryc/6372814

Hall, L 2015, 'Domestic Violence: high profile women use social media, television to speak out', Sydney Morning Herald, 11 September, viewed 14 September 2015, http://www.smh.com.au/national/domestic-violence-highprofile-women-use-social-media-television-to-speak-out-20150910-gjk4sz.html