TWO women are being killed every week in Australia and rural, regional and remote women are more at risk of family violence, attendees at the International Rural Women's Conference in Adelaide heard on Tuesday.
In her presentation on empowering rural women to recognise family violence, researcher, lecturer and nurse Renee Fiolet said geographical isolation and access to friends, family, health services and specialist services all increased rural, remote and regional women's risk.
"There is also a stereotype that RRR women are more stoic and self-reliant but also have particular roles to play," she said.
"Trust in small communities can be a problem and perpetrators have greater gun ownership and access to weapons."
Ms Fiolet said 24 women had been killed by their partners already this year and Australia could see 100 women killed in 2015.
"These statistics are similar to those in countries with less services and where women are seen as inferior objects," she said.
"Family violence is everyone's business and we can't afford for individuals, communities and policy makers to continue to say 'that's not my business' or 'I shouldn't intrude' - being silent bystanders is no longer an option."
Karina Natt
Journalist at Stock Journal.
Journalist at Stock Journal.
