Domestic violence ... who should be ashamed?

Domestic violence, who should be ashamed?

In a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Michelle Downes, (ex-wife of Peter Brock motor racing star) describes her experience of abuse in thier relationship.
“Downes said she always wanted to speak out about the violence, but had felt ashamed and wanted the now-legendary racing driver's career to flourish.
But with White Ribbon Day coming up on November 25, which aims to eliminate violence against women, Downes said she wanted to encourage other victims to "speak out.”
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/brock-beat-me-claims-exwife/2006/11/17/1163266766804.html


If someone as attractive and competent, enjoying the many opportunities Michelle Downes has, can experience the unexpected trauma of violence in her partner relationship then it becomes obvious that this can be any woman’s lived reality.

There are many women who are not safe enough to “speak out” publicly about their experience of domestic violence so it makes a difference for others still vulnerable in unsafe situations when those who can “speak out” do so.

This anonymous online resource was created as the only safe way I could find to “speak out” for my children and myself and the other children and women that I have come in contact with, heard of or must be suffering in terrified silence.

I am confused and depressed by the lack of response from the many people and organisations I have contacted in regards to this online resource.

What I had hoped is that by starting this “blog” several weeks before International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, held annually on the 25th of November, the challenge that children and women trapped in foreign countries by spousal and systemic violence would be added to the discourse on women’s lived experience of violence.

Thank you Infoxchange … www.infoxchange.net.au … for adding information about this “blog” to your list of online resources and to the Australian law professor who responded to my email and said she would distribute information about the online resource I created for the community of women and children trapped in foreign countries by spousal and systemic abuse and violence.

Related information …

Australia …

http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/

www.ofw.facsia.gov.au/equality/gender_equality/evaw_wrd.htm

www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/vaw/ll_vaw.nsf/pages/vaw_2006_16days_campaign


In Canada …

http://www.whiteribbon.ca/

www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2006/24/c8577.html



What’s happening in your part of the world to make it safe for women to "speak out" about their personal experience of violence?



Take care … take heart … Merinda