Josh Burns (Macnamara, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on this important recognition on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As those who have spoken before me have expressed, domestic and family violence is a national crisis and a national shame. One in four women have experienced family violence and one in five women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. Australian police deal with a domestic violence matter every two minutes, with an estimated 657 domestic violence matters, on average, every single day of the year. These are shocking statistics but they are not just numbers. These women are our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, friends, neighbours and colleagues, and they all have the right to be safe and to live free from violence and fear.

I recently came across a comment from the CEO of Respect Victoria, Emily Maguire. This is what Emily said:

Violence against women is preventable, and it's a challenge that belongs to all of us … An important piece of the puzzle is men supporting each other to break down outdated stereotypes about gender, masculinity, and what it means to be a man.

I would like to do my part to end men's violence towards women and children, as a political leader and as a man, and that's why I'm taking up Emily's call to action.

To date our public conversation around violence, perhaps understandably, has focussed on a crisis response, and the onus has been on the victim-survivor to leave the violent relationship. And in response to this public conversation we often hear the words 'not all men'. Well I've never met a domestic violence frontline worker or victim-survivor who has claimed that all men are bad and perpetrate violence. That is not what they are advocating for. But all men do have a responsibility to help change the culture that allows this gendered violence to occur. As Tarang Chawla, an advocate whose sister was murdered at the hands of her partner, said:

If we have a room of 10 men, and one of them is a potential killer, and the other nine men there are silent, they might as well not be there.

We must address this gender inequity together. We must end a culture where women are mistreated and discriminated against based on their gender. I feel this and I am committed to this, not just because I am the father of a daughter but because, quite frankly, it's just the right thing to do.

Almost a decade ago under a Labor government the prevention body Our Watch was created. This is the proud legacy of some amazing women, including Julia Gillard, Jenny Macklin, Julie Collins, Kate Ellis and Tanya Plibersek. I recommend you visit Our Watch to find resources for how you can help change the culture and prevent men's violence against women because we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves, to call out poor behaviour, to reflect on our own actions and to listen to the women around us.

I would like to conclude by saying that if you or someone you know is experiencing violence you can call 1800RESPECT. For counselling advice and support for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues you can call the Men's Referral Service on 1300766491. We have set a goal to eliminate violence against women over a generation. That is an ambition I share, and as a man I am pledged to support the strength, the courage and the work of Australian women seeking to achieve this important goal. It's time to end this national shame.

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