One in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence from someone they know. With 45 women having already died in Australia, this year from domestic violence and countless others being seriously injured both physically and mentally, we must stand up and stop mens violence against women in our community.

This week is the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender violence. To kick it off, on Thursday afternoon I co-hosted a White Ribbon Afternoon Tea with Starick Services Inc., where members from the WA Police, City of Gosnells, Armadale Community Family Centre, Gosnells Community Legal Centre and Relationships WA joined me in discussing this terrible issue. It was terrific to thank them for all the work they do to reduce the impact of family and domestic violence in our community.

I also joined the City of Armadale, WA Police, Dr Tony Buti MLA, Communicare, Champion Centre, Cecil Andrews Police Rangers and many other community organisations on Friday morning to march against family and domestic violence and pledge my support to end mens violence against women.

One death is too many and this is why I have taken the White Ribbon oath that I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent mens violence against women.

If you or a loved one is going through family or domestic violence you are not alone, there are services here for you. You can call the WA Police on 000 in an emergency, or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) otherwise also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 019 123, Womens Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339 or Mens Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 000 599.