British police will give sexual offences the same priority as counter-terrorism - Women's Agenda

British police will give sexual offences the same priority as counter-terrorism

Two types of terror have consumed Australia’s collective attention this year. Both pose threats to the freedom of Australian citizens. Both force us to confront ideas and attitudes that conflict deeply with our values. Both are dangerous, neither is acceptable.

One, the rise of ISIS, poses a threat to national security; the other, domestic violence, poses a direct threat to the lives and health of one in six Australian women and an indirect threat to hundreds and thousands of girls, boys ,women and men living with the consequences.

While there is some similarity in the subject matter, there is a total dichotomy in the way these subjects are treated.

Fighting ISIS is undoubtedly our national security priority, a rod for otherwise non-existent bi-partisanship, the subject of regular press conferences held by the Prime Minister. It is a matter on which leaders are evidently and unequivocally committed to tackling. Notwithstanding the robust discussion about the best way to tackle this, in actions and in words there is no denying it is a material concern.

That is less evident with domestic violence. The scourge which has taken the lives of at least 31 women in Australia this year is certainly in the public consciousness. It is being discussed more openly and more often than ever before but it is fighting for funding, for recognition, for consistency, for leadership. The conversations are disparate, announcements haphazard and action elusive.

Yesterday the 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, delivered a powerful speech at the National Press Club about “intimate terrorism” as she has described domestic violence.

“You all know my story” she began. And we do. It is the same story one in six Australian women are living. The challenge that Rosie Batty articulated with characteristic strength is ensuring that we deliver a new story to all of the women living her story.

Stop this violence before it starts requires unequivocal leadership. From politicians, from journalists, from corporate leaders, from sporting heroes, from parents, from teachers, from every single person unwilling to accept domestic violence in our communities. We need to understand that if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.

We need to recognise and understand the dynamics of this scourge; that domestic violence does not occur in a vacuum. It exists on a continuum.

We need to educate and inform the younger generation about respectful relationships. We need to live respectful relationships.

We need to tackle the subversive sexist attitudes that underpin domestic and sexual violence.

We need to be as unequivocal in rejecting gender inequality in all of its guises as we are about seeking equality. Because the link between gendered violence and inequality is clear.

We need to stop blaming victims – even quietly in our own minds – and start supporting them.

We need to accept this violence is pervasive and that it’s a form of terrorism. We need to ask why it isn’t attracting the same explicit leadership as the threat of ISIS. They are different beasts but at the core both have the potential to undermine the society in which we all live. Domestic violence is the terror that is in our homes, our schools and our workplaces right now and it needs unambiguous leadership.

On the same day that Rosie Batty lay down this challenge, the head of police in Britain made a declaration: rape and sexual offences will be given the same priority as counter-terrorism.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe vowed to treat sex offences as seriously as terrorist threats following a review that found a lack of resources among police and prosecutors was systematically failing victims.

The review, conducted by Dame Elish Angiolini QC, concluded the government must provide more resources to help deal with a rise in complaints of rape and sexual violence.

The police commissioner’s response to the omnipresent issue of funding? He would ask for more money for around 300 extra specialist officers and, if rebuffed, find it from his budget, which he said would shrink by another 15% because of austerity cuts.

When a problem is declared an explicit priority by a decision-making group – be it a government, a company board or even a family – the prevailing question is not about if or when it can be funded, it’s about how it can be funded. This is the context in which Australia needs to be considering family violence.

In the same way that it seems there is no question of adequately funding the appropriate action to protect Australia’s national security in relation to ISIS, domestic violence must be treated and funded the same way. Can we really afford to ignore this any longer?

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au In an emergency, call 000. For more information about a service in your state or local area download the DAISY App in the App Store or Google Play.

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