Victoria’s Parliament will today host a series of landmark speeches from family violence survivors and first responders.
Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, Kristy McKellar, Rodney Vlais, Annette Gillespie, Joumanah El Matrah and Muriel Bamblett will today address Members of the Legislative Assembly and Council, in a special sitting of Parliament.
The special sitting gives parliamentarians an opportunity to hear directly from survivors and first responders on the work that still needs to be done in addressing family violence.
It coincides with the first ever Victoria Against Violence - 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs from 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – to 10 December – Human Rights Day.
Victoria Against Violence aims to turn the state’s attention to the devastating impact that family violence has on the lives of so many.
The campaign comes ahead of the Victorian Royal Commission’s findings, to be handed down early next year.
For a full calendar of Victoria Against Violence events visit the campaign website: .
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson
“This special sitting of the Victorian Parliament is an opportunity for us to hear directly from survivors and first responders about their own personal experiences.”
"All of us must play our part and consider what more can be done to help eliminate family violence.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021