Enough is Enough

Partner Violence Is a Crisis

This is a joint statement from Single Mums of the Hills (SMOTHS), Mums of the Hills and Mountain Men.

Partner violence is not just a private issue. It’s a community crisis — and our area is not immune.

What is Partner Violence?

Partner violence is when one partner physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and/or financially abuses the other. It can happen in any type of relationship — married, de facto, dating, separated or divorced.

What can this look like?

  • A partner checking your phone, controlling your finances, calling you names, threatening to leave you with nothing, or isolating you from friends and family. These are just some of the red flags that can be experienced.

  • It’s not just bruises or black eyes — it’s control, fear, and the slow erosion of self-worth.

We are calling this out. Now!

Respect between partners means acknowledging each other’s feelings, thoughts, and boundaries. When one partner constantly disrespects, overrides, manipulates boundaries or uses their partner as an emotional punching bag, the damage ripples outwards — to children, to extended family, and to the community.

This is how generational trauma begins.

We are saying enough!

The Reality in Australia

In 2023–24, the truth was devastating:

  • One woman was killed every 8 days

  • One man was killed every 41 days
    …by a current or former intimate partner*.

This is not okay. It’s not rare. It’s happening far too often — in homes, on our streets, in our neighbourhoods. And it has to stop.

What Can You Do?

There are ways to take action. But today, it starts with this:

  • Call it what it is — abuse.

  • Listen and believe the person who may reveal the abuse. Sometimes they do not even know or understand the abuse. Let them know you are there for support.

  • Model respect in your own relationships — especially in front of children.

As an individual please share this statement on your personal social media pages to show your support.

We also call on Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence in Victoria, to increase funding for community-led education and training, support legal reforms to strengthen responses to coercive control and other non-physical forms of abuse, and work with grassroots organisations to drive intergenerational change.

If you are experiencing partner violence, please call: 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732

What Clubs, Groups, Businesses and Organisations Can Do?

This issue cannot be left to individuals alone. Governments, agencies, police, courts, businesses and communities must work together.

If you’re a club, group, business or organisation, please share this statement on your public social media pages to show your support.

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You can take part in 3Rs Training (Recognise, Respond, Refer), funded by Mums of the Hills, to learn how to identify signs of partner violence, respond safely, and connect people with the right support.

Together, we say: No more silence. No more excuses. No more partner violence.

* Source: Australian Institute of Criminology