Sussan Ley appeals to major companies to raise domestic violence awareness over Christmas

Large companies including Tik Tok and McDonald’s have been urged to do more to shine a light on one major issue.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has called on large companies including TikTok and McDonalds to use their social media to drive awareness about violence against women, after a woman was allegedly fatally stabbed by her male co-worker at Canberra Zoo this week.

Ms Ley has written to 19 major companies and social media giants ask them to consider ways to share support services on their platforms over the holiday period amid a nationwide spike in the number of women killed this year.

She said domestic violence statistics rise by 25 per cent during Christmas making it a “scary and dangerous time” for many.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday after the body of a woman was found in the commercial kitchen area at the National Zoo & Aquarium. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire.

“Over 70 women have been killed this year, 61 (allegedly) from intimate partner violence. I don’t want to see another death this Christmas,” Ms Ley said.

“I want to see enough being done everywhere in every corner of this country to stop this awful scourge of intimate partner violence.”

The appeal comes as two women were killed across Australia this week, including the alleged murder of a 29-year-old woman at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra.

Christmas and New Year period is a time when there is a sharp increase in rates of domestic and family violence. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire.

The opposition spokesperson for women also wrote to Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings, Qantas, and KFC, as well as social media platforms Meta, LinkedIn and Google, asking them to share the numbers of domestic violence services.

She said LinkedIn has agreed to post details of services on its platform and has received a positive response from Google.

Ms Ley’s calls come after South Australia’s government announced it will hold a royal commission into family and domestic violence, after six people died in alleged family and domestic violence incidents over recent weeks.

Ms Ley said the “horrific statistics” recorded in the state demonstrate the scale of the domestic violence crisis in Australia.

“Let’s everybody be aware that while much of Christmas brings happiness and joy, we also need to wrap our arms around those who need help to be there to support them,” she said.

Family and domestic violence support services:

1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732

DV Connect Women’s Line: 1800 811 811

MensLine: 1300 789 978

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 13 11 14

Originally published as Sussan Ley appeals to major companies to raise domestic violence awareness over Christmas