Fatal families

In the past week Savannah and Indiana died at the hands of their father and Fiona Warzywoda died at the hands of her ex-partner of 15 years.  Last night a woman was attacked in her home in Brisbane by her ex-partner at 2.30 in the morning while she and her children slept.  He took his own life and left her in hospital.

I've spent a lot of time reading about these deaths and talking with friends about why and how this happens.  There is no easy answer or one would hope that the answer would have been provided and in place by now. 

What is so scary are the statistics in the article linked below. 

 Frightening stats

• One woman is killed every week in Australia by her partner or ex-partner.
• The most dangerous time for a woman victimised by a situation of family or intimate partner violence is the period immediately after leaving. This is when her risk of homicide is at its greatest.

Why don't we know about these statistics and why isn't this topic on the lips of every politician in the country?

What is our Minister for Women doing about this?  

One of the discussions I have had with friends has been is it wrong to consider this a men's issue?  Is it sexist and stereotypical to say this is about men's violence?  I am the first to shy away from anything that stereotypes a group however some comments made in the last few days by friends and friends of friends points very strongly to men's violence being an overwhelming issue.  Yes women can be violent there is no question about it however as these statistics demonstrate the percentages are significantly higher and I am sure this difference would be statistically significant.  

At the risk of appearing sexist are we afraid to call this out for what it is?  A huge issue with violence perpetrated by men exists in this country.  From the coward punch to intimate partner violence we have a problem.   

I don't know the answers but I think we need to keep asking the questions.  

A