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Vol. 17 No. 21
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Wednesday, November 19, 2014
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Time to take a stand H
“A lot of people think that just because it happens behind closed doors it is a private issue. Well, it’s not, and we all need to stand up and say this is not on” - Horsham Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent
BY LAUREN HENRY
orsham and Ararat municipalities have among the highest rates of violence against women in the state.
Horsham ranks seventh and Ararat, 11th, among 79 local government areas in Victoria. In Horsham, incidents reported to police increased from 1739 in 2012-13 to 2301 in 2013-14. Northern Grampians sits 16th, Yarriambiack 33rd, Hindmarsh 62nd, and West Wimmera, 68th. White Ribbon Day, officially on Tuesday but celebrated through various events across the region in the next week, aims to break the silence surrounding violence against women and encourages all members of society to stand up against family violence. Women’s Health Grampians health promotion worker Simone Meade said statistics such as a woman being killed through domestic violence each week in Australia reinforced the extent of the problem. “Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay said if a person was killed each week at a train station, it would be seen as a disaster,” she said. Horsham’s Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent, a White Ribbon Day ambassador, called on the community to unite and highlight a crime that often goes on unseen. “A lot of people think that just because it happens behind closed doors it is a private issue. Well, it’s not, and we all need to stand up and say this is not on,” he said. Insp Broadbent recalled several incidents throughout his police career where violence against women caused physical and mental damage. He spoke about arresting a man who had followed a German woman around the world, stalking and intimidating her in various countries before Victoria Police helped her. Other incidents that stick in the mind of Insp Broadbent include a murder-suicide and a man keeping a woman hostage in his garage, to use as a sex slave. But it is relationship breakdowns that cause the most common acts of violence against women, particularly in the Wimmera. “This not only affects women and children, but also their living conditions and other family members,” Insp Broadbent said. “The ripple effect can be quite huge and it is an issue that needs to be addressed.” Wimmera White Ribbon Day committee chairman Justin Amor said violence against women affected everyone – not just the victim and offender. “Those affected are not merely statistics in a report; they are our wives, sisters, mothers, daughters and friends. We cannot and will not sit on the side-lines while those we love are at risk of harm,” he said. “Eradicating violence against women is everyone’s responsibility.” For more on White Ribbon activities and programs, see page 8 and 9.
IN THIS ISSUE • Election pledges • Fire Action Week feature • Drought policy • Grampians Trail Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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