A ROUNDTABLE forum to discuss proposals to reduce family violence will be held in Frankston in the coming weeks.
Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea last week confirmed that her electorate would host a “Domestic and Family Violence Roundtable” event. She said in a social media post that the need for serious discussions has been emphasised by the deaths of four women and girls in the last week.
“37 women have allegedly been killed by a partner or former partner in 2026 so far. These aren’t just statistics. They were daughters, mothers, sisters, friends and members of our communities,” Belyea said. “As someone with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence, and as someone who has worked alongside victim-survivors, we cannot accept this as normal. We must do more.”
The roundtable is set to be hosted by Belyea and fellow MP Ged Kearney. Around 30 local organisations and frontline services are set to take part. Belyea said “listening to those working on the ground will help strengthen our response and ensure local experiences help inform the 2nd National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.”
Engagement on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children is open at engage.dss.gov.au/second-action-plan.
Domestic violence support is available via 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency call 000.
First published in the Frankston Times – 21 July 2026