In Australia, domestic violence is a widespread problem impacting individuals and communities. Frequent misconceptions and issues surround this issue and require acknowledgement in order to resolve them. In 1993 the United Nations defined domestic violence as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life (UN 1993).In the past, marital rape was not considered a crime and women were viewed as property. However, in recent decades there has been a notable shift in the way that domestic violence is perceived. The notion of men also being victims of domestic violence is becoming more widely accepted.
Domestic violence is often widely misunderstood to exclusively be physical violence. However, it entails a broad range of abusive behaviour such as financial, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports 23% of women and 14% of men have experienced emotional abuse, and 16% of women and 7.8% of men have experienced economic abuse. This highlights the different forms domestic violence occurs in. Another common misconception is that males are the only perpetrators and women are the only victims. While 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men experience violence according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, it is important to acknowledge that both are victims of domestic violence. This misperception can result in underreporting and a lack of support for male victims and those in LGBTI+ relationships. Domestic violence victims may encounter criticism regarding their choice to remain in the relationship. According to the AIHW 70% of women do not want to leave their current partner, due to wanting to work things out, loving their partner or their partner promising to cease the abuse. Furthermore, abusers employ strategies such as isolation and threats to coerce their victims, making it difficult for them to flee.
The impact of domestic violence on various Australian communities is extensive and erodes the cohesiveness of communities by fostering an environment filled with distrust and fear. In 2014-15 the AIHW reported that, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 32 times as likely to be hospitalised due to family violence assaults as non-indigenous women (SCRGSP 2016; AIHW 2018). Individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities experiencing this form of abuse face barriers such as lack of awareness, education and language barriers leaving them vulnerable to the violence and its effects. The LGBTI+ community sees a high percentage of women experiencing abuse in same-sex intimate relationships compared to opposite-sex intimate relationships (Jeffries and Hayes reading p.195). A variety of communities face detrimental effects due to domestic violence and these result in increased mental health issues and criminal activity.
Australia has taken significant measures in addressing domestic violence, however there are areas which require development. New South Wales has a dual response to domestic violence in their legal frameworks. The criminal law response includes the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007, the civil law response pertains the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) – apprehended violence orders (domestic and personal). Victims can access a plethora of hotlines and support agencies providing counselling, emergency housing, and legal assistance. An example of help offered is the Victims Support Scheme under Victims Rights and Support Act 2013 (NSW) and the Victims Rights and Support Regulation 2013. Measures which require implementation in order to guarantee victims receive the assistance they require include, a need for money for shelters, counselling services, and legal aid. Implementing comprehensive education programmes on consent and healthy relationships into schools. Ongoing training for police, legal professionals and healthcare workers is essential to ensure effective and sensitive case handling.
In conclusion, domestic violence is multifaceted and extends beyond physical assault. Acknowledging the complexity of domestic violence is essential to offering all victims the right services of help. In order to prevent domestic violence, everyone must play a part, from providing assistance to pushing for increased funding and educational advocacy. Involving the community is crucial in establishing a victim-supportive environment. Effectively addressing and preventing domestic violence requires ongoing improvement to support networks, education programmes and policies. By comprehending the intricacies and ramifications of domestic violence, we can endeavour to create a safer and more supportive community for all.
