On Friday, August 15 I hosted an important conversation in Bunbury. The roundtable conversation was centred around family and domestic violence, women and the community in our regions and gathered experts in the field.
Guests included Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas MLA, as well as Libby Mettam MLA and Federal Member for Forrest. We heard firsthand the challenges and struggles that face women’s shelters, police, legal services, allied health, perinatal services and local government when it comes to servicing the regions.
This was both a powerful, confronting and constructive conversation held with those who dedicate the career, and often their lives to keeping our women, children and families safe at a time when family and domestic violence rates are at a decade high.
The afternoons discussions spanned many topics, including the realities of doing business in regional areas, such as transport and higher cost of operations, pressures on policing and the justice system, gaps in policy and opportunities to strengthen local partnerships.
Federal Member Ben Small, reflected on the round table and the importance of strong community voices.
“I heard first-hand from attendees at the Domestic Violence Roundtable that role models can have a real impact for change – we need to make sure those role models are setting an example for good.”
This inaugural roundtable was just the beginning of a longer discussion. I will carry the lessons learned and reflect on the advice shared by experts when I advocate for them in state Parliament.
