Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank my friend the member for Petrie for raising an important issue. Recently I attended a forum hosted by the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee. This committee consists of community service providers who deal with the daily aspects of domestic and family violence. Statistics show that every week a woman in Australia is killed by a current or former partner. This statistic does not include children also killed in domestic and family violence situations. This has to stop. Violent behaviour towards women and children is totally unacceptable. New South Wales Police Force statistics indicate that the Central Coast is in the top two police commands for domestic and family violence incidents.

The flow-on effects of victim trauma create a community impacted by chronic stress, behavioural issues, fear and insecurity. Domestic and family violence is not a new issue, but it is one that can be brought to higher attention by the people elected to represent their community. Coordinating approaches between state and federal government agencies is one way of tackling this issue. Demonstrating leadership on domestic and family violence, its causes and consequences is something I feel strongly about. I look forward to progressing this issue further with the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and with state and federal governments. I commend the outstanding Central Coast support services who deal with this issue on a daily basis. Their tireless devotion, compassion and dedication accentuate the strong sense of community that is prevalent in my electorate of Dobell.