SW violence on the rise
![Domestic violence survivor Rachael Day was almost murdered by her partner in 2014. She shared her traumatic and moving story at yesterday’s White Ribbon Day at Anzac Park in Bunbury, in the hope of getting more victims to speak up and create a positive cultural change in the South West.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/YA-123976/58367015611d2_b88306637z.1_20161124123636_000_g47p5a1f.1_1.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Domestic violence in the South West continues to soar, with services stretched beyond their means, according to Waratah Support Centre chief executive officer Trudi Ruane.
Mrs Ruane said her staff needed to see more victims, more often, instead of having a long waitlist.
South West police statistics revealed to date almost 200 more family domestic violence assaults were reported in the region, compared with the same time last year.
Speaking ahead of a two-day Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence National Conference starting today, Mrs Ruane said family domestic violence cases had become highly complex.
“The men are taking door handles off to trap their partner inside and then putting trackers in their partner’s car,” she said.
“Domestic violence has gone so far past just physical or sexual abuse and it has nothing to do with anger management.
“Drugs, alcohol and mental health can’t be blamed, they may be factors, but violence and abuse occurs when someone is power hungry, manipulative and has an innate belief that their partner and children are there for their entertainment and pleasure.”
Mrs Ruane said awareness days, like yesterday’s White Ribbon Day were important, but more needed to be done to provide support services for victims and to encourage more women to speak up.
Domestic violence survivor Rachael Day spoke yesterday about how she was almost murdered by her partner in 2014.
“There was a lot of mental abuse, jealousy, control and isolation, but also an act of remorse after each time he hurt me,” Ms Day said.
“Enough is enough, I was almost murdered and my perpetrator’s sentence was downgraded, it was pathetic.
“I have worked hard to embrace what has happened to me in a positive light and we must all come together for harsher sentencing.”
South West District Supt Mick Sutherland said family and domestic violence continued to have a profound and devastating effect on the community.
“It is a complex and persistent social problem that has no easy solution,” he said.
“Police encourage victims to report incidents of family and domestic violence at every incidence.
“Individual attitudes and behaviours within the community reflect that domestic violence in any form is not acceptable.”
The two-day conference, hosted by Waratah Support Centre, is being held at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.
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