Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has admitted she “changed her language” around domestic violence after hearing of the men it impacted.
Ms Palaszczuk, who has led a government-wide response to domestic violence issues after receiving the ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ report commissioned by the previous administration, said violence against men did need to be recognised while speaking with a male domestic violence survivor at the Bundaberg community cabinet event.
“I do understand that there are a number of men have gone through or are going through [domestic violence],” she said.
“I actually did change my language when it did become public because it was brought to my attention that there was some serious issues surrounding some men in our community needing help as well
“I do think that is something we do need to address a bit more.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she would be asking for an inclusive campaign when she next speaks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“It has to be about stopping violence,” she said.
“I was very clear when I have been down at COAG, previously when I was with Tony Abbott and I’ll be making it very clear to Malcolm Turnbull as well, that any advertising needs to be about respectful relationships, that we need to make sure that that is actually taught not just in the home, but in the schools and that it is the way we treat men and women and it is about calling people out for the wrong thing.”
One in six women will experience or have experienced violence against them by a current or former partner, while more than 60 women have been killed in family violence related incidents this year.
Ms Palaszczuk said the campaign to address domestic violence was one example of the state and federal governments working together and said she believed there would also be agreement on medical cannabis.
“This is another issue that you are gradually seeing bipartisan support,” she said.
“So not only do we have bipartisan support on stopping domestic violence, so we now have bipartisan support on looking at medical cannabis for the trial in the first stage and looking t what is the regulatory framework that is needed at the federal level.
“And, we do acknowledge the benefits that would bring to a lot of families.”
Queensland announced it would be taking part in the trials earlier this year.
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Please take the time to contact Ms Palaszczuk to congratulate her on acknowledging male victims of family violence.
