VIGIL TO END VIOLENCE
A candlelight vigil in Geelong to honour domestic violence victims has been told Australia is in the grip of a “pandemic” of women being killed by men.
“It’s a pandemic, it’s not an epidemic any more,” said Simone O’Brien, the keynote speaker at the event at Geelong Library on Wednesday.
Ms O’Brien, who nearly lost her life as a result of a brutal attack that fractured her skull, has been speaking about her experiences for a decade.
“We need to get it (domestic violence education) in our school curriculum to start as young as preppies,” she said.
“If they see something at home and they think that’s the norm, that’s just going to follow on in their life.
“We can show what respect is and what domestic violence shouldn’t be in their young minds and bring to light red flags.”
Ms O’Brien said she wanted people to feel comfortable speaking up about their experiences.
“If I speak up, then someone else will speak up and say, ‘Look this has happened’, and I find that happens a lot not only in school but also workplaces,” she said.
“Making people feel comfortable to expose their life as well is a win.
“We just have to make it not a taboo of discussion, it’s just got to be like we are going to the football.”
Meli family violence manager Kristy Berryman said the organisation had seen an increase in men seeking support services.
“We have about 80 per cent of men self-referring and women are also feeling more empowered to seek support,” Ms Berryman said.
The federal government has announced it will spend $925m over five years from July 1, 2025, to permanently set up the Leaving Violence Payment to assist people experiencing intimate partner violence with the financial costs of leaving a violent situation.
“Those eligible will be able to access up to $5000 in financial support along with referral services, risk assessments, and safety planning,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.