Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I second the motion and thank the member for the motion. In 2014, I took an oath to become a White Ribbon ambassador. It's part of my strong belief that women should live in safety and free from all forms of violence. On White Ribbon Day, 23 November every year, we stand together—men and women—and we condemn the actions of the few who commit domestic violence and we call on all men to respect women and show that they abhor violence against women and stand with us and say no.

On Friday, I attended a breakfast in Jamestown for the White Ribbon Day organised by the combined service groups in the town to highlight the toll violence takes on women, children and society. I thank the members of those groups for putting together that breakfast. It was a very pleasant morning on the lawns in Jamestown. We want to enlist men in this campaign because we know how powerful it is when men say no to their brothers, their fathers, their sons and their mates when it comes to violence and disrespect of women.

The label of 'domestic violence' somehow suggests violence against women is part of what goes on in the home. But it's not a private matter; it's a crime. The term 'domestic violence' is one that has the risk of minimising and mitigating what is a crime of violence. It has to be seen, rejected and stopped as a crime. Disrespecting women does not always result in violence against women, but all violence against women begins with disrespecting women. This is about respect. It presents a personal challenge to us when others either do not share our views or, maybe without specific intent in fits of personal rage or drug induced detachment, breach the trust between men and women in their relationships. Women are not to be owned, controlled or manipulated. They are not and should not be subservient to men. And, although on average they have less physical strength than men, there is no circumstance in which the exercise of physical dominance is acceptable.

Sadly and alarmingly, violence against women continues to be one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in Australia and around the world. As a White Ribbon ambassador, I believe all men must act to prevent this domestic violence and all violence against women. Being an ambassador means taking an active stand against any form of violence committed against women, and those of us that take this oath make a promise to live by the oath and not to commit, excuse or remain silent on this issue.

Statistics can be very confronting. They are, in this case, depicting an appalling story of abuse of women and children by men. It is true that I've come into contact with some men who have been victims of abuse and violence committed by their female partners, and that is no more acceptable than the violence committed against women, but the numbers overwhelmingly demonstrate that the predominance of violence is committed by men against women. In fact, some are quoted in the wording of this motion:

(b) one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them;

(c) each week on average one woman is killed by a current or former partner; and

(d) domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children;

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to experience domestic violence. As men, I and my fellow males, particularly those of us in positions of authority and in our communities, must confront these statistics. We must stand publicly against violence and abuse.

Violence comes in many forms. There is emotional violence where men control finances; isolate women from family and friends; humiliate, demean and belittle; make threats against children; threaten women with injury or death; and cause long-term emotional damage. Anecdotal evidence shows us the vast majority of violence against women goes unreported, and its prevalence has been unbroken and intensified through the decades. The federal government's domestic violence campaign launch last year was part of a $100 million Women's Safety Package targeting how parents raise young boys.

Violence against women starts with disrespect. The excuses we make allow it to grow. We must support women who have suffered violence. If someone who has been suffering from domestic violence wants to make a permanent separation, they need support from family and friends and from organisations that offer safe refuge for abused women and children and that specialise in aiding victims of domestic violence. Women's stories are often unheard, but the long-term damage to them and their families is insidious. I encourage males using violence in relationships to seek professional help and use their networks to promote discussion and change.

I swear never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women. That is my oath.

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