Working to end culture of violence

A Rockingham advocate and leader against family domestic violence has applauded the State Government’s recent move to make WA a member of Our Watch.

Child Protection and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk earlier this month made the announcement the Government had met its pre-election pledge to become a member of the national body seeking to end violence against women and their children.

“We are strongly committed to working with Our Watch to break the culture of violence in some Western Australian families and communities,” she said.

“We will work with Our Watch to increase gender equality and promote respectful relationships in all aspects of everyday life, such as schools, workplaces and sporting organisations.”

Rockingham’s Lucy Saw Centre chief executive Anne Moore said she was pleased with the announcement and hoped it would simplify current processes in the area of domestic violence.

“I think it’s what we need — it’s definitely a positive step in the right direction,” she said.

“It’s a national voice — it holds perpetrators more accountable and will really lift the profile of perpetrator accountability, which is fantastic.

“I don’t know that it will affect the centre but it will give us an avenue to gain more information, support, knowledge, training — all the areas that we are looking to improve service delivery and responses to victims.”

Ms Moore is also the chairwoman of the Women’s Council, the peak body for domestic violence groups in WA, who has been working closely with Ms McGurk since she came to power.

“It’s wonderful to have a specific minister looking at the prevention of domestic violence,” Ms Moore said.

“I think the minister is very committed to the prevention of family domestic violence and to working alongside the involved agencies.

“What it does say is that we are taking this seriously, it is now front and centre and we need to do all we can to try and stop it.”