CENTRAL COAST retiree Peter McGilvray was just eight years old when his sister’s partner tried to beat him.
“She was 20 and I remember her stepping in front and protecting me and taking all the blows,” recalled Peter, 70, from Hamlyn Terrace on the Central Coast.
It took 30 years for his sister to escape the abusive marriage and start a new life.
Tragically, six months later she died in an accident – a memory Peter says will never leave him.
Now every year, inspired by the memory of his sister, Peter gets together with other members – mostly older men – of Warnervale Regional Uniting Church to help stop violence against women.
The group meets to make white ribbon kits for the national White Ribbon campaign aimed at preventing men’s violence against women and children.
The kits are sent to local Lions clubs and schools where volunteers make the white ribbon cards that are handed out on and around White Ribbon Day on November 25.
“We’ve sorted through 10,000 cards as well as ribbons and pins,” said Peter, who added that awareness of domestic violence was spreading and all ages needed to get on board.
“In the past, older people had more traditional values – if there was a ‘private’ problem behind closed doors such as domestic abuse, people tended to ignore it.
“Yes, we’re getting older but we’ve got to be active.
“This is about reaching out to older seniors. They are the eyes and ears of families and communities.
“We want them to be vigilant so people don’t suffer abuse. It’s about urging people to call for help if they need it.”
Domestic violence facts
- Over 12 months, on average, one woman a week is killed by her husband or partner.
- Domestic and family violence is the main cause of homelessness for women and their children.
- In Australia, 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
If you are experiencing violence or suspect someone else is, phone 1800-737-732. In an emergency dial triple-0.
