By DANE LILLINGSTONE
Worried neighbours need to make that call…
Neighbours are being told that they could save a life by speaking up if they are worried about next-door domestic violence.
President of Warwick Safe Haven Bette Bonney said it was time for the community to stop being afraid of speaking up.
“One of the things that is really coming across now in a lot of publications about domestic violence is for the community to be willing to step up,” she said.
“Sometimes, it gets a bit scary because they’re saying ring the police, don’t ignore it, don’t put your head in the sand.
“You can remain anonymous, which is probably the most advisable thing to do.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull recently committed $100 million to tackle the issue and the first specialist court for domestic violence was recently set up as a trial within Southport Magistrates’ Court.
It was reported that the court sees 40 to 50 domestic violence matters a day.
Locally, the Domestic Violence Hotline reveals that between 80-100 women in Australia will die at the hands of their male partner each year and an average of 23 deaths in Queensland per year are attributed to domestic and family violence.
Ms Bonney said it was time for the community to stop turning a blind eye.
“If you hear something from the neighbours and you’re really worried, ring the police, do it anonymously and say ‘I’m worried about my neighbours’ – you could save a life,” she said.
The World Health Organization reveals some alarming figures including that 35 per cent of women have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence and 38 per cent of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.
Anyone who wishes to get involved in Warwick Safe Haven can phone Bette on 0429 432 510 or attend one of its general meetings with the next one scheduled for Thursday 15 October at 6.30pm at the Warwick Library community room.
