By STEPHANIE ANDERSON.
A Federal Liberal MP has made an emotional plea for Australians to stand up against domestic violence in the wake of a family friend’s murder.
Sarah Henderson fought back tears as she addressed Parliament on Tuesday night, speaking about her “beautiful, vivacious and kind” friend Monique Denahy.
Ms Henderson said that three days ago, Ms Denahy lost her life at the hands of her ex-partner.
“Three days ago, Monique was murdered,” she said.
“She was murdered by her American partner in the US. It was a deliberate and calculated murder-suicide.
“Monique had decided to leave the relationship and return to Australia, but she never made it home.”
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told local media that Daniel Millner, 55, had killed Ms Denahy in a gated community over the weekend.
Ms Henderson told the Lower House that domestic and family violence had always seemed to happen to someone else, “but Monique’s death has shown me that this is a crime that can touch every single family”.
“We have to break this cycle of violence,” she said.
“I say to all Australians, wear your White Ribbon, take the pledge and please stand up and speak out against family violence.”
Ms Henderson will attend a White Ribbon Day breakfast at Parliament House today, alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
This post originally appeared on ABC Online.
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Top Comments
I think the government should issue every woman from late teens onwards with the book, Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry andControlling Men by Lundy Bancroft. Women need to know the red flags to look out when dating.
We the male population need to stand up and openly speak out
against violence against women and families. More than that we need to expose
and oppose it loudly, openly where ever we become aware of it. These gutless
pricks who masquerade under the male gender flag need to be bounced and bounced
so hard that they cannot continue to perpetrate their violence. Laws are made
and predominantly upheld by males and sadly we are not applying the lawful duress
that is required to stamp our domestic violence in our country. Weak judges and
weak laws are letting these perpetrators get away with far too much. This is
what you can do if you are a male. 1. Shame and speak out against every
perpetrator of domestic violence loudly, constructively, and legally and offer
help to the victims. 2. Teach your children to respect their mother. 3. Support
the females in your life by valuing them and appreciating their unique
contributions they make in our society.
4. Enjoy being a man who knows how to control his own emotions (oh yes
we do have them) and actions. Be the man not the violent man.