LNP Candidate for Morayfield, Darren Grimwade, has affirmed the LNP’s commitment to eradicating violence against women by taking the oath to never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women on this White Ribbon Day.
“Today is an important day to raise awareness of violence against women, it’s also a day for every man to swear to never harm or condone violence against women,” LNP Leader Campbell Newman said.
“The LNP commitment is important because Queensland has the highest rate of domestic violence homicides for all Australia - with 30 per cent of homicides last year being related to domestic violence.”
“Across Australia, one in three women over the age of 15 will be the victim of violence in her life with one in five being the victim of sexual violence.
Mr Grimwade said many LNP MPs had been White Ribbon Day ambassadors for a number of years and he wanted to join the team in taking this oath to help protect women.
“All of us have a mother, many of us have wives, partners, sisters and daughters, and we abhor the use of violence against them and we want all men to know it’s showing real strength of character to support this campaign to stop violence against women,” Mr Grimwade said.
“The challenge we’re issuing to all men is to take this pledge today and to honour it every day for the rest of their lives.”
He urged all residents living in the Morayfield electorate to remember that this message must never been forgotten, that it must be heard and supported every day of the year.
“The LNP is committed to protecting women and children from domestic violence, and encouraging them to speak out,” Mr Grimwade said.
“This includes helping essential community services to provide support and early intervention, and to also deliver services which can help potential offenders recognise and stop their behaviours.”
Mr Newman has committed an LNP Government to provide $750,000 over three years towards the Women’s Legal Service based in Brisbane. The dedicated staff assists around 5000 women across Queensland annually by providing free legal information and advice on issues such as domestic violence, protection orders, rape and incest. Chronic underfunding by Labor forced the service to cut its operations by 20 per cent and cease the operation of its dedicated rural phone line.
White Ribbon Day, held annually on 25th November, is an awareness campaign to highlight and discourage violence against women.
Details about White Ribbon Day and the oath can be found at www.whiteribbonday.org.au. Ribbons and wristbands can be purchased from The Body Shop stores.
