Natasha Stott Despoja: domestic violence a national emergency People walking in the 'Walk the Talk' against domestic violence in the Botanic Gardens. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe Source: News Corp Australia DOMESTIC violence in Australia is a national emergency and should be treated as a higher priority by authorities in order to eradicate it from society, campaigners warn today. On White Ribbon Day , Natasha Stott Despoja, chair of the recently formed Foundation to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children , described the problem as "staggering." The former Senator questioned whether Australia's decision makers and community leaders were aware of the extent of domestic violence in Australia. "The prevalence of domestic and family violence in our community is staggering," she said. Sometimes I wonder if the community, and in particular our decision makers and community leaders, are aware of the extent and the consequences of this problem. That's why I'm calling on people in positions of power and indeed the broader community to treat this as a national emergency. More: SA's domestic violence shame She added: "It should be declared a national emergency and we should be tackling it with resources but also awareness." Ms Stott Despoja, a former leader of the Australian Democrats, has spent the past few months travelling Australia in her new role at the foundation and has been confronted with countless domestic violence cases. "I can't begin to tell you some of the horrifying anecdotes and stories from around Australia," she said. The fact that 89 women lost their lives between 2008 and 2010 at the hands of a partner indicates that we need a bit of a wakeup call. These are horrifying statistics and need greater response and community action. Ms Stott Despoja said events such as White Ribbon Day were helping helped to raise awareness of domestic violence but much more still had to be done. "We must remove the taboo and the stigma that is associated with discussing this issue and, importantly, responding to it," she said. More: End the violence, pleads grieving son People still have that misguided view that somehow the danger to women and individuals is on the streets or entertainment strips or always late at night in a dark alley. That unfortunately is a problem in our society but it doesn't begin to compare with the daily reality of many women's and children's lives and that is they are more likely to be attacked by, abused by, treated violently by or even killed by an intimate partner. Ms Stott Despoja is hopeful the foundation, formed in July in a bipartisan agreement with the Federal and Victorian governments, will educate and raise further awareness of the issue. She said she is striving for other states and territories, including South Australia, to sign up. Programs likely to be implemented by the foundation include educational courses starting as young as school age. "We are trying to stop the violence before it occurs, not just stopping it escalating," she said. But actually getting to the root of the cause and talking about how we develop respectful and equal and meaningful relationships between men and women and boys and girls so that we don't face these horrific consequences down the track. Ms Stott Despoja will address a White Ribbon Day breakfast in Sydney on Monday and also speak on the issue at the National Press Club in Canberra with Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay on Tuesday. For counselling support on domestic violence or sexual assault, call 1800 737 732. Maria Hagias, from the Central Domestic Violence Service, with artist Izzy Gebler-Hughes. Visual message opens eyes AN artwork adorned with messages of support will provide comfort in a time of need for domestic violence victims. The 1m x 1.5m artwork comprises about 150 messages of support to victims of domestic violence. It was completed at a Soroptimist International event in Rundle Mall last weekend and presented to Central Domestic Violence Service executive director Maria Hagias at the end of Sunday's Walk the Talk public walk raising awareness of domestic violence. Soroptimist International is a service organisation for women aimed at bringing womenthem together to reach their potential and to have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities. Messages of support on the artwork include those from Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, federal MPs Kate Ellis and Penny Wong, state MPs Vicki Chapman and Kelly Vincent, and SA Police Assistant Commissioner Linda Williams. Soroptimist International Adelaide branch spokeswoman Izzy Gebler-Hughes said the artwork would send a powerful message of support to domestic violence victims. "The idea behind the project was to create a piece of artwork containing messages of support for victims of domestic violence from the wider Adelaide community," she said. 24/11/13 Following the 'Walk the Talk' walk against domestic violence, a large artwork was gifted from Soroptimist International to Maria Hagias from the Central Domestic. Pic Naomi Jellicoe Source: News Corp Australia This artwork will ...act as a visual representation of support from the wider community, which will hopefully have a positive psychological impact on victims of domestic violence and decrease feelings of isolation or stigmatisation. Ms Hagias saidshe was honoured to receive the artwork, which would hang in the service's women's shelter. "Initiatives such as this that are led by the community are extremely powerful in raising awareness of domestic violence and its impact on women and children," she said. It will be extremely comforting for these women victims, particularly at a time when they are feeling quite isolated. To have a piece of work from the community that says we support you and acknowledge your courage is comforting. "It's all about women knowing that we are walking alongside them," she said.