Launch of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Speech by Commander Steve Lancaster
ACT Legislative Assembly
Thursday 25 November 2004
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am very pleased to be here today representing the Commissioner, the CPO and the AFP for this very worthwhile cause.
Domestic violence and violence against women is an issue of great concern to the entire community. Accordingly it is very pleasing to see so many organisations pledging support to this program.
In the AFP's community policing role we deal with this issue and its effects on a daily basis. The Domestic Violence Crisis Service in the ACT alone receives about 5000 referrals annually.
Apart from the physical and emotional damage, it is estimated domestic violence costs the ACT community up to $10 million per year. Nationally, direct and indirect costs of domestic violence are estimated at $1.5 billion annually.
Research has shown there are long-lasting effects from domestic violence and it can often transfer from one generation to the next. The tragedy is that it can almost become a normal part of life for people caught in its grip - a tragedy that is repeated over and over again.
National statistics present disturbing evidence of widespread violence against women. It was discovered that over one million women experienced violence during a relationship. Sixty per cent reported that during the relationship they lived in a state of fear. Twenty percent of women who experienced violence were pregnant when it first occurred. Sixty seven per cent of women who experienced violence said
their children had witnessed the attack.
As a regular witness to the consequence of domestic violence, and violence against women generally, the AFP strongly supports this international day for the elimination of violence against women.
The AFP believes that not only police and welfare groups, but the entire Australian community must take a strong stance against this type of behaviour and work tirelessly toward its elimination.
This is about not turning a blind eye. It is not about closing the window when you hear someone next door being subjected to violence. It is not about putting up with your mate pushing his girlfriend around when he has had too much to drink. This is about a community taking a stance, setting the standards and then demanding that they be adhered to.
As a large employer of 5000 members, we also acknowledge that we are not immune from these issues. Family violence is often a difficult crime to detect and the workplace can play an important role in identifying when people need support or assistance. The AFP has developed a number of mechanisms to support its own staff in this regard. An extensive welfare support network has been established that includes external counsellors, a gay and lesbian network as well as an anonymous confidante program to assist its employees in dealing with a variety of issues including violence.
The AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty is a strong supporter of this initiative and has agreed to be an Ambassador for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. To send a strong message to our 5000 staff and the wider community, the AFP has committed to purchasing and distributing white ribbons, both to staff here and overseas, in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
It gives me great pleasure to be here today and demonstrate the AFP's commitment to this extremely worthwhile program