BARBARA McNAUGHT SAYS END VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN

USPA NEWS - A woman is killed almost every week in Australia by a male partner or ex-partner. Over one third of the violence experienced by women occurs in their home and most of it is perpetrated by someone they know. The Australian Trade Access International Women's Day Luncheon sends a strong message.

Gina Rinehart transformed Hancock Prospecting, from a small prospecting company in Western Australia´s far North to the Worlds largest Iron Ore Exporter . Throughout her life she continues to finance a wide variety of causes from health and medical research. A huge contribution to the State of Western Australia is the Hancock Family Breast Cancer Foundation founded in 1993, Princess Margaret Hospital and the Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre. To list her contributions to humanitarian causes would fill a book. Such a deserving recipient to title “ Most Inspiring Woman of the Year 2016“. It was an honour to hear her talk about the struggles of migrant and indigenous women of Australia and what she has and will always do to support organisations passionate about abolishing “˜Violence and Abuse towards Women´.

The Australian Trade Access International Women's Day Luncheon was attended by many important figures to combatting “˜Violence Towards Women´ , emotional , physical and financial abuse was discussed at the luncheon proudly organised by Barbara McNaught of Momentum Forum Events who is the catalyst in Western Australia for other high profile events such as “˜Visionary Vanguard The Black Tie Ball´, the “˜Brain Gardner Pink Ribbon Ball´ and the “˜Silver Pet Prints Perth Pet Expo´. Guest speaker Professor Colleen Hayward , Gina Rinehart , Inspirational Author of women´s rights Rabia Siddique and the right Hon Liza Harvey Western Australian Police Minister sent a strong message to the hundreds of business women and men attending this high profile luncheon that its time to “˜Kiss Violence towards Women Goodbye´

The Pan Pacific Perth was the setting for a breathtaking show from International designer and domestic violence spokeswoman Steph Audino. The heartwarming speech by The Hon. Liza Harvey MLA Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Safety bought home the fact that we live in a society where there is far too much domestic abuse ( picture to left is The Governor General Kerry Sanderson, Barbara McNaught and Police Minister Harvey). Kiss Violence Against Women Goodbye! creates awareness and educates victims to speak out and seek help. Knowing that they are not alone will help them to find their voice. Violence is the leading cause of death, illness and disability for Australian women aged 15 to 44. It´s responsible for more illness and premature death than any other preventable cause, such as hypertension, obesity, or smoking.

When we talk about domestic violence many don't realise that much of the violence is unseen . Domestic violence also includes mental abuse and financial abuse. Research indicates that from the age of 15, 1 in 5 Australian women have experienced sexual violence and 1 in 3 have experienced physical violence. LESS than half of Australian women who suffer violence at the hands of men report the assaults to police. One in three Australian women will experience physical violence in their lifetime, while 23% to 28% will experience sexual or emotional harm. Thanks to the efforts and financial support of organisations such as Hancock Prospecting and Australian Trade Access , events such as the International Women's Day Luncheon can be held and more and more people will become aware of what is acceptable in our multicultural community.

Chris Colfer once said, "When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless." Keith Urban was quoted as saying, "So what made you think you could just take a life and push it around? I guess to build yourself up so high, you had to take her, and break her down." Life is too short to be playing games with other peoples lives .

Remember this the next time you place a hurtful comment on a social media page or berate someone you don't know..It is emotional abuse. Children grow to become adults and only know whats acceptable from what they have learnt from you as parents , until someone says otherwise...Namaste