BWHC CEO Mariam Mourad has called on the NSW Government to provide adequate funding for the 21 women’s health centres which have received no funding increase in over 40 years.
In the 12 months to March this year, there were 1,361 domestic violence-related assaults and 764 non-domestic violence related assaults in Canterbury Bankstown.
However, out of the 250 cases reported to BWHC in 2021/2022, 90 per cent were not reported to police.
Some of the reasons were fear violence might escalate, cultural barriers, past police trauma or feeling overwhelmed by the system.
Ms Mourad says nationally we lose a woman a week to domestic violence.
“Eighteen women have died this year and 43 women died at the hands of their partner in 2021,” she said.
BWHC Chair and Wiley Park Public School Principal Renee Demos said when someone says or does something that rationalises violence against women, we must speak up.
“We all have the responsibility to keep talking about domestic violence and provide services to increase safety.”
Bankstown Police Commander, Superintendent Adam Johnson has expressed his concerns at the number of incidents that are not being reported.
“People need to report them or even reach out and seek advice. The support is out there, just reach out,” he said.
Attendees then heard from a panel (pictured) comprising Women’s Health NSW CEO, Denele Crozier, State MP for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk, author of ‘The Mother Wound’, Amani Haydar, Chief Inspector Darren Sly and Minister for Women’s Safety, Natalie Ward.
The event also included the launch of the ‘Let’s Talk’ video which can be seen at bwhc.org.au.
Call for funding to tackle domestic violence surge
WITH more than 500 people in attendance, Bankstown Women’s Health Centre (BWHC) hosted a ‘Let’s Talk’ event last week at Bankstown Sports Club to raise awareness about the booming rates of domestic violence including the high number that go unreported to police.