Georgina Beyer joins us on Answers with her concerns about domestic violence.
What can we do to help prevent domestic violence?
"Like you I read the news and am saddened by the rising rate of domestic violence in New Zealand and I know much happens behind closed doors and we never hear about it.
Domestic violence is a difficult issue but I believe we have a collective responsibility to solve the problem in New Zealand.
I'd like to think my question will provoke thought about how domestic violence affects every layer of our society, and about what every one of us can do to help stop it from happening."
More about Georgina
I was born in Wellington and my iwi include Te Ati Awa, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Porou.
I have a background in theatre but over the years my interest in politics and concern for my community grew. In 1993 I became a councillor on the Carterton District Council following a by-election. I was elected Mayor in 1995, and re-elected in 1998, this made me the world's first trans-sexual Mayor. In 1999 I became the world's first trans-sexual to be elected as a member of Parliament when I was elected a Labour Member of Parliament for Wairarapa, a position I held until my decision to retire from Government earlier this year.
It is important to allow people who want to be positive contributors of our society regardless of sex, race, creed and gender to reach their human potential. We need all human potential to make our communities thrive, to make them more vital, the very centre of our reason for being and living. The most important thing at the end of the day is people, people and people!
Yahoo!Xtra Answers team