Victoria's most powerful men declare war on family violence

[westdog54]

Ladies and Gents,

This thread is not football related, but it is a subject close to my heart and one that no person should ignore. I have posted this thread in consultation with the Moderator team, on the basis that it is an important, one-off deviation, given the importance of the subject.

Victoria's most powerful men declare war on family violence

POLICE Chief Commissioner Ken Lay has praised Denis Napthine, Andrew Demetriou and Robert Doyle for their public stance on ending family violence but says more men need to follow their lead.

With about half of assaults in Victoria happening in homes, Mr Lay said the onus was on men to call out family violence for the crime that it is.

"We've got men engaging in criminal behaviour who aren't being talked about, aren't being made to feel shameful for what they've done, and that's where the narrative needs to go," Mr Lay said.

"I don't see a lot of men standing up and saying enough is enough."

Victoria's top cop backed the Herald Sun's Take a Stand campaign to end family violence, together with Victoria's Premier, Melbourne's Lord Mayor and the AFL's chief executive.

"I feel quite bullish that the community's willing to talk about it and I'm very, very proud of the three other high-profile men that stood up today and said enough is enough," Mr Lay said.

"It is now time for high-profile men, leaders in this community, to speak out and speak out strongly and actually make family violence a shameful act."


While Mr Lay said police and Victoria's courts had improved their handling of family violence cases, he said much work needed to be done and he was "not sure when these numbers will stop going up".

"Since I've been in the job (of Chief Commissioner), we've had an increase of about 40 per cent in the numbers of reports, which is in one way quite frightening, but the other way is quite gratifying seeing women coming forward prepared to make a stand about what's happening to them," he said.

"Yes, we've moving in the right direction, but is there more to do? You bet."

The four men recorded video messages in which they called on all men in the community to take responsibility for ending family violence, which has hit record levels in Victoria, with 50,382 family violence calls to police last year.

Twelve Victorians - almost all of them women - were killed.

More than 16,000 assaults were recorded in the home.

"We need to make sure (abusive) men feel like they're ostracised, they're vilified, that their behaviour is simply unacceptable," Mr Lay said.

Dr Napthine called on all men to step up, saying police and the courts alone could not end family violence against women.

"By speaking up we can change attitudes and behaviours," he said.

The Herald Sun is today launching a major investigation into family violence, which shows that intervention orders are failing to protect women from violent perpetrators.

It also shows that significant resources are needed to assist the courts and support agencies dealing with the devastating fallout from family violence, a leading cause of poverty, homelessness and illness for young women.



If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call police on 000.

If you or someone you care about is living with an abusive partner or family member call the Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria's 24-hour crisis line on 1800 015 188 or 9322 3555.

For national counselling, helpline, information and support 24-hours call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

If you're a man and worried that your behaviour may be hurting someone you care about, call the Men's Referral Service on 1800 065 973 or 9428 2899 (9am-9pm weekdays). Website is www.mrs.org.au

If you suspect a male friend or family member is abusing someone at home, approach them by using words such as: "It sounds like you're having a tough time - it might be good to talk to someone about it.''

Try to get them to call the Men's Referral Service on 1800 065 973 (9am to 9pm weekdays).

*********

As I said, this is very close to my heart. Family Violence is a scourge on our society that must be eradicated. No one is immune from Family Violence. It affects people of all Religions, Races, Cultures and Socio-Economic backgrounds. The damage it leaves in its wake is devastating.

I call on all WOOFers, indeed I call on people everywhere, to take a stand against this disease. To not stay silent when you see it or hear of it. To pull up your mates when they do or say something disrespectful. I call on you to take to Facebook and Twitter and show your support for this campaign to end Family Violence.

It has to stop.

#Takeastand

[ledge]

Must say I have never come across it and I don't know of anyone who has , is that strange ? I grew up in braybrook which was known as rough in the 70s but never even came across drug users either and I still haven't ( in Melton now) am i blind to it or just not in the wrong place at the wrong time ?
In saying this I couldn't see me or any of my mates being violent in the home at all and I think we would all give that person a good going over if we did, it's something we would all be against.

[Mofra]

Interesting that there is a pereption that family violence isn't as shameful as other forms of assualt - personally I would have thought any man that hits a woman is as low as it gets.

[Twodogs]

Interesting that there is a pereption that family violence isn't as shameful as other forms of assualt - personally I would have thought any man that hits a woman is as low as it gets.

Agree strongly. In fact I'd extend it to hitting a child as well. There's nothing heroic about visiting violence on someone who is no position to defend themselves.

[F'scary]

Let's hope Demitri-moron puppet is on firmer ground with this one than he is with the drugs issue.

[LostDoggy]

Westdog 54, you have my full support. Violence against women and violence against children is cowardly, but it is learned behaviour. Dads teach it to their sons. It is utterly unacceptable under any circumstances. To stand up against family violence is heroic. It shows great courage and character, especially if you are someone who is subject to it. The more the rest of us speak out against it, the better.

PS I had to spend a morning working at Skinner Reserve in Braybrook a few weeks back. Three people asked me for money, and I have no doubt that all of them were looking to buy drugs with it. Two of them came back a bit later and used the public dunny, together. I presume to shoot up. The drugs are there, ledge, and so is the violence.

[Twodogs]

Westdog 54, you have my full support. Violence against women and violence against children is cowardly, but it is learned behaviour. Dads teach it to their sons. It is utterly unacceptable under any circumstances. To stand up against family violence is heroic. It shows great courage and character, especially if you are someone who is subject to it. The more the rest of us speak out against it, the better.

PS I had to spend a morning working at Skinner Reserve in Braybrook a few weeks back. Three people asked me for money, and I have no doubt that all of them were looking to buy drugs with it. Two of them came back a bit later and used the public dunny, together. I presume to shoot up. The drugs are there, ledge, and so is the violence.

Skinner has a syringe disposal/exchange unit collocated in the same complex. It's a shame because it has a really nice kids playground there too. I don't know what the genius who decided that a drug hotspot was the ideal thing to have alongside a kid's playground was thinking but it's a real shame.

I took my kids there once when they were little. The sight of people sitting in a car in the car park shooting up was enough to convince me not to go back.

[Eastdog]

Totally with you westdog54. Family violence is something that needs to be stopped and that can only be achieved if more people speak up about it like you have westdog54.

[bulldogtragic]

30 charges of assault require significant evidence to be authorised. If true the court, media & AFL must throw the book at him. This is a disgusting and too common a crime and as WD says we need to end this.

http://www.news.com.au/national/brea...-1227156626401

[bulldogtragic]

Majak Daw's rape committal too, tough reading:

http://www.news.com.au/national/vict...-1227157036499

[bulldogtragic]

FFS... Now another rape investigation, a Hawthorn player according to Hawthorn FC:

http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2015...rs-rape-probe/

[Twodogs]

FFS... Now another rape investigation, a Hawthorn player according to Hawthorn FC:

http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2015...rs-rape-probe/

Yep. Saw that on the news.

[Ghost Dog]

Well, I grew up in a house where domestic violence was common. But not by my father.
I have a different perspective. I made peace with my parents but it can affect you for the rest of your life.
Not to be glib about it, but you can heal things and get on with life. I love my family and we sorted it out.
Just saying, it's not a problem restricted to men.

[Maddog37]

Well, I grew up in a house where domestic violence was common. But not by my father.
I have a different perspective. I made peace with my parents but it can affect you for the rest of your life.
Not to be glib about it, but you can heal things and get on with life. I love my family and we sorted it out.
Just saying, it's not a problem restricted to men.

I am glad to hear you have moved on Ghost Dog. It breaks my heart to read about your history with domestic violence at the same time though...... No one deserves that.

[bornadog]

A Hawthorn premiership champion has become the second player facing a police probe over sexual assault claims