A KNIFE to the throat, punches to the face, threats featuring firearms and cruel language – these are just a sample of the violence and abuse regularly suffered by women in our community.
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The episodes, which have been reported in The Border Mail in the past week alone, underline how common domestic violence is, the pathetic excuses of perpetrators and the controlling power which drives them.
To in any way justify attacking the mother of your children is horrendous.
Your sons and daughters can hardly respect a father who resorts to violence against their mother.
The impact of brutality was highlighted by federal MP Emma Husar who told Parliament this week of growing up in a home where her drunkard dad belted her mum.
“On the evening of another round of abuse, dad launched the family dinner of that night at the wall,” Ms Husar said.
“The stain remained on that wall for a very long time, but the stain in my heart would linger much longer.”
Geelong footballer Jimmy Bartel, whose late father Terry lived at Beechworth, also told his story of paternal domestic violence this year and grew a beard to bring attention to the evil.
Humanising the scourge of household violence is a key to facing up to what has been a public taboo for decades.
But equally there must be support for victims buttressed by the wider community’s view that such behaviour is outrageous.
That is where November 25’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women plays an important role.
The occasion, which is also known as White Ribbon Day in Australia, offers the chance to tackle domestic violence on a larger scale.
To that end the Wodonga Race Club’s Gold Cup meeting will promote the cause to the thousands at the track.
Women’s Health Goulburn North East is also urging people to wear orange over the next 16 days as part of the Victorian Government’s campaign against gender violence.
The impact of action is not going to change things quickly.
That is apparent when you realise some of those thugs who have faced court in the past week are only teenagers.
As we have seen with drink-drivers there continues to be offending, but it is much more unacceptable in society than it was generations ago.