Liberal MP Karen Andrews has delivered an emotional speech on domestic violence in parliament, recounting the times she has waited for phone calls to hear if a loved one was still alive.
Andrews, who fought back tears as she delivered her speech, also said she would dedicate the rest of her time in parliament to stopping family and domestic violence and supporting victim-survivors.
“We all know many of these victims. And unfortunately, I’m one of the people who has had to wait for text messages to come in and phone messages to come through and the phone calls are much worse, wondering if someone that you love is still alive,” she said in parliament on Wednesday.
“In the time that I have left in this place however long it might be, I will dedicate myself to working to stop this violence.”
“For those people who have no experience you have idea what it’s like and for the people who sit innocently on the side, and as I said, wait for that call waiting to hear if someone they love is ok, it is traumatic.
“And when you’re there at night and the phone rings, you wonder what you’re going to hear. It is a terribly traumatic experience.”
“But for all the things that I have experienced, there are many other people who have been on the frontline and have experienced it themselves,” Andrews said.
“And for those people, I will dedicate my time left in this place to try to support you.”
Andrews paid tribute to a number of women from Queensland who have been killed and abused by perpetrators of domestic violence.
“There are a number of women who have lost their lives. And we all know some of the recent stories, particularly from Queensland,” she said.
“Hannah Clarke, Tara Brown, Kelly Wilkinson and there are many, many more, and this should not be allowed to be happening.”
Andrews said she would work with the Labor government to end violence against women and children.
“A global shift in how society currently operates needs to take place to end violence against women, but also against children who are victims in their own right,” she said.
“We as a society do need to change our behaviour, our thoughts and our values where they allow any tolerance to this behaviour.”
For support for domestic and sexual violence, please call:
· 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
· Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
· Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
· Mensline: 1300 789 978