WHAT IS DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE?Domestic and family violence is when someone intentionally uses
violence, threats, force or intimidation to control or manipulate a
family member, partner or former partner. It is characterised by an
imbalance of power whereby the perpetrator uses abusive behaviours and
tactics to obtain power and control over the victim causing fear. The
violence is intentional and systematic and often increases in frequency
and severity the longer the relationship goes on (Carrington & Phillips 2003, Tually, Faulkner, Culter & Slater 2008).
Statistics show that women experience domestic and family violence at far greater rates than men (Ferrante, 1996). Furthermore, women and children often live in fear as a result of the abuse used by the perpetrator to maintain control over their partners and families.  Power and Control Wheel, Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. | Quick Links
What is Domestic & Family Violence
Policy & Legislation Publications Links & Resources Violence Restraining Order Centrelink Crisis Payment  REMEMBER
You don’t have to be hit to be hurt. You don’t have to leave to get help. You don’t have to be in crisis to call. Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
(08) 9223 1188 or free call 1800 007 339 |
The effects of family violence are broad, impacting on the individual
experiencing abuse, children who are exposed to the violence and the
wider community.
MYTHS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Myth: I would know if my friend or family member was hurting someone.
Fact: Domestic and family violence is often hidden as many women and children are too scared to speak out and perpetrators manipulate their behaviour in front of other people, often coming across as charming and friendly (Roberts, 2005).
Myth: Drugs and alcohol often cause violence.
Fact: Drug and alcohol use does not cause domestic and family violence, the use of substances can lower inhibitions in turn leading to escalation of the frequency and severity of assault, however in most cases men who use violence while under the influence are also violent when not affected by drugs and/or alcohol (Chan, 2005, Johnson, 2001).
Myth: Only Aboriginal women or people from disadvantaged backgrounds experience violence.
Fact: Domestic and family violence is experienced by women from all social, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds around the world (World Health Organisation, 2000).
Myths: Children who don't directly witness violence are not affected.
Fact: Children and young people who live with violence witness it, hear it and know about it. Being arround violence can be just as damaging for children and young people as is experiencing it (Indermaur, Atkinson & Blagg, 2008). Consequences include increased likelihood of physical abuse, depression, anxiety, developmental regression, trust issues and increased likelihood of becoming involved in a violent relationship as an adult (Osofsky, 1999).
Myth: It is easy for women to leave.
Fact: Many women who experience domestic and family violence are in fear for their lives and the lives of their children (Parkinson, Burn & Zara, 2004). This fear is the biggest barrier to women exiting violent relationships. Other barriers include powerlessness and helplessness, being financially dependent upon the partner, lack of support and limited crisis services for women and children to escape to (Anderson, Gillig, McCloskey, Malloy & Grigsby, 2003).
Victims of violence always respond and resist abuse, no victim welcomes or wants to be abused and they will always stand up against, not comply with and try to stop or prevent violence, disrespect or oppression.
Violent and abusive behaviour is always done deliberately, it is never a loss of control or someone not being able to 'manage their anger'. Perpetrators of violence make decisions about how and when they will be abusive and they make plans as to how they will stop the victim from resisting.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence Click Here to visit our Help page.
- Indigenous women are 45 times more likely to experience family and domestic violence compared to non-Indigenous women and make up 50% of Australia’s domestic and family violence victims (Ferrante, 1996).
- Women with disabilities, like their non-disabled counterparts are wives, girlfriends, daughters, sisters, lovers, carers and mothers and ‘regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or class, women with disabilities are assaulted, raped and abused at a rate of at least two times greater than non-disabled women (WWDA, 1998).
- Women who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds face a range of complex issues. Their needs are complex due to the different reasons for their arrival in Australia, the different experiences they have had prior to their arrival and their varying levels of cultural adaptation to their new country. They are susceptible to isolation and therefore particularly vulnerable to family and domestic violence.
- Older women, homosexual women, women who suffer from substance abuse, homeless women, young women and the children of these women are all groups of special need. Domestic and family violence has detrimental physical, psychological and financial consequences for both individuals and the wider community.
MYTHS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Myth: I would know if my friend or family member was hurting someone.
Fact: Domestic and family violence is often hidden as many women and children are too scared to speak out and perpetrators manipulate their behaviour in front of other people, often coming across as charming and friendly (Roberts, 2005).
Myth: Drugs and alcohol often cause violence.
Fact: Drug and alcohol use does not cause domestic and family violence, the use of substances can lower inhibitions in turn leading to escalation of the frequency and severity of assault, however in most cases men who use violence while under the influence are also violent when not affected by drugs and/or alcohol (Chan, 2005, Johnson, 2001).
Myth: Only Aboriginal women or people from disadvantaged backgrounds experience violence.
Fact: Domestic and family violence is experienced by women from all social, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds around the world (World Health Organisation, 2000).
Myths: Children who don't directly witness violence are not affected.
Fact: Children and young people who live with violence witness it, hear it and know about it. Being arround violence can be just as damaging for children and young people as is experiencing it (Indermaur, Atkinson & Blagg, 2008). Consequences include increased likelihood of physical abuse, depression, anxiety, developmental regression, trust issues and increased likelihood of becoming involved in a violent relationship as an adult (Osofsky, 1999).
Myth: It is easy for women to leave.
Fact: Many women who experience domestic and family violence are in fear for their lives and the lives of their children (Parkinson, Burn & Zara, 2004). This fear is the biggest barrier to women exiting violent relationships. Other barriers include powerlessness and helplessness, being financially dependent upon the partner, lack of support and limited crisis services for women and children to escape to (Anderson, Gillig, McCloskey, Malloy & Grigsby, 2003).
Victims of violence always respond and resist abuse, no victim welcomes or wants to be abused and they will always stand up against, not comply with and try to stop or prevent violence, disrespect or oppression.
Violent and abusive behaviour is always done deliberately, it is never a loss of control or someone not being able to 'manage their anger'. Perpetrators of violence make decisions about how and when they will be abusive and they make plans as to how they will stop the victim from resisting.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence Click Here to visit our Help page.
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