DEAR PUMICESTONE

Her name was Janet Guthrie, and she mattered. She was a mother, a community member, and a friend. She was proud, resilient, independent, and taken too soon.

On February 22, our Queensland Parliament passed the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.

These laws further strengthen our response to the scourge of domestic family violence, that is all too common and all too lethal.

our lives and communities. RED FLAGS FOR DOMESTIC FAMILY VIOLENCE CAN INCLUDE:

Controlling

• What you wear, where you go, who you see

• Isolating you from friends and family

• Dictating your finances

Monitoring

• Where you are and who you are talking to

• Your phone or social media, cyber stalking

Criticising

In Australia more than one woman a week was killed as a result of domestic and family violence last year. This year we have already seen 11 deaths. Our new laws recognise the patterned nature of domestic and family violence and prepare for coercive control to be made a standalone offence later this year. Coercive control is at the core of domestic and family violence. Many victims are never physically assaulted until the moment they are attacked with intent to kill, but the threat of harm to themselves and those they love is woven into every moment of their lives. Since 2015 our Government has worked tirelessly to address the complexities of domestic family violence. Tragically, as much as we do more is always needed. That’s why today I am asking everyone to talk with their loved ones about domestic and family violence, to be on the look out for red flags and take action if you see or hear something.

I don’t know if we can ever end domestic and family violence completely, but we can each commit to working to stop it in

• Being harsh or rough with your children

• Belittling you in public or private

• Degrading you or your appearance

• Calling you offensive names

Accusing

• They’re overly possessive

• Accuse you of cheating or flirting

• Interrogating you about where you have been or who you’ve been with Threatening

• Threatening violence or harm to you, your children or your pets

• Threatening suicide or self harm

• Sudden mood swings, threats to withdraw love

• Threatening violence and then dismissing it with “I didn’t mean it” Instilling fear

• Fear of consequences or feeling like you are walking on eggshells

• You adapt your behaviour to prevent arguments

• They expect you to ask their permission, it is difficult to say no or disagree with them

Manipulating

• They love bomb; they show excessive admiration and then suddenly withdraw

• They’re overly sensitive and easily insulted

• They have unrealistic expectations

If you see any of these signs, please don’t ignore them. Speaking up could save someone’s life.

International Women’s Day is coming up and the theme this year is Embrace Equity.

How can women be equal, let alone have equity when we keep being killed by those we should be able to trust?

Nobody is forgetting men who experience domestic and family violence, but statistics show that women are at much higher risk.

By knowing the red flags and speaking up, by standing against violence, abusive or sexist behaviour, we can create a safer future.

For more information on the red flags of domestic violence visit: https:// thehandyguide.com.au/red-flags

If you need more information, get in touch with my office on 3474 2100 or at pumicestone@parliament.qld.gov.au

Warmly,

Ali

PS. If you need help or support, I encourage you to reach out to one of the services below.

CADA Caboolture https://cada.org.au 07 5498 9533

1800 RESPECT https://www.1800respect. org.au 1800 737 732

Mensline Australia https://mensline.org. au 1300 78 99 78

Bribie Island Swim Club is a rapidly growing non-profit club, with currently 60 young members and their families, on the island that is proactively looking to develop the club to improve the equipment and opportunities for our young club members to swim, set goals, improve fitness and make lifelong friendships.

At Bribie Swim Club they are passionate about making swimming fun and accessible to all children, which is of primary importance, particularly when living around the Pumicestone area. Therefore, we rely on a team of volunteers, fundraising and sponsorships to keep our costs down making us accessible to as many families as possible.

$12 $3

House to Saturday 8am to 12pm

Many of our swimmers stay with the club for many years and as such we get to watch them grow in confidence every year until they themselves become role models for our younger and newer swimmers, which is a fantastic journey to watch. Every year more and more of our swimmers attend outside swim meets and we are looking to host swim meets of our own again next season, inviting other clubs to Bribie and bringing business onto the island. This year, 12 of our young swimmers heading off to the State Championships