Domestic Violence In Australia

Out of the shadows and into the limelight, the once hidden crime of domestic violence has recently emerged within the Australian community as a widespread criminal issue. This abuse of power occurs in a relationship when one partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate and control the other. Inflicting physical harm upon another human being is undoubtedly a breach of the criminal law, yet the Australian legal system takes little measures to protect the wider community from this type of violence. According to Family Lawyer Richard Ingleby, domestic violence has often been condoned by the legal system due to the fact that assaults occur in the ‘private’ realm of the home where legal measures are regarded as inappropriate, and interventionist. However, by overlooking domestic violence as a criminal offence, does the Australian legal system fail to adequately protect the family unit from this form of violence? Recent studies from the Australian Bureau of Statics have revealed that 23% of women who have ever been married or engaged in a de facto relationship have experienced violence by a partner at some time during the relationship. Due to the secrecy that once surrounded this kind of abuse, victims often feel unable to speak out and seek help, therefore even large surveys cannot provide accurate estimates of the extend of domestic violence within the Australia community (Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, 1998). Despite the high incidence rate of

Domestic Violence is a major issue in Australia right now and many believe that there are not enough resources to help domestic violence victims. 25% of women report being affected by domestic violence in their lifetimes and yet there is still not much being done. One of the main reasons women stays in the home where they are experiencing domestic abuse is because they do not feel safe leaving their home. Domestic violence victims are being turned away from refuges and being sent to motels and caravan parks, the refuges instead take in homeless people.

Domestic violence is a growing concern in Australia. Police handled more than 3,000 domestic violence matters in just one suburb of Brisbane in the past 12 months and for the whole of Queensland, handled another 25,000 matters.

Domestic violence is a major issue with in the Australian society. Domestic violence is defined as a deviant behaviour by a person towards another person in a relevant relationship in any way that controls or dominates another person. (Domestic violence, 2014) ‘The Psychological of Criminal and Antisocial Behaviour’ state that, the primary form of domestic violence is classed as intentional violence. Intentional violence refers to the violent behaviours that are enacted with purpose, its occurs in domestic relationships, where there is a clear imbalance of power. (Mauro. P, 2017)

Domestic violence is an epidemic in our society with dramatic, negative effects on individuals, families and communities. Domestic violence is a crime that knows no economic, racial, ethnic, religious, age or gender limits. Women who are victims of domestic violence most likely are also victims of sexual assault and, stalking. A domestic violence victim may experience systematic rape in addition to physical and psychological abuse. According to Backman, (p.54) nearly one in every four women are beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood. Three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner each day in America, on average women are at an increased risk of harm shortly after separation from an abusive partner.

Normally what comes across our minds when we think of domestic violence is the physical tirade most women go through. But physical signs of abuse aren’t the only signs of domestic violence. The physiological wounds of domestic violence leave longer and stronger scares on the women in these situations. Physiological trauma is described as an emotional response to a terrible event which interferes with a person’s ability to function normally. Many victims have reported that the physical violence they suffer is less damaging than the relentless psychological abuse that cripples and isolates them. For most women fear of retaliation from an abusive partner crawls inside their heads and burrows itself in their subconscious. Fear is constantly on the minds of women experiencing domestic violence, constantly on edge wondering what will happen next. This has a strong physiological impact that will haunt victims for the rest of their lives and can prevent them from seeking much-needed assistance. Fear of social embarrassment and shame strongly hinder a woman from speaking out about their situation. Lack of emotional support can lead to heightened fear, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, post-traumatic stress and anger. Women can lead toward the use of illicit drugs, alcohol dependence, and even suicidal ideation. Physiological impacts such as these haunt victims for many years and rob them of the ability to live a rich, full life. These wounds are completely undetectable by x-rays and physical tests which allows it to often go untreated and unnoticed, even to the victim themselves. It is clear that the psychological and emotional wounds of domestic violence are devastating. *Short film from Sutherland shire family services about the effect of emotional abuse, allowing the audience to view a visual representation of physiological

According to statistics found by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Every nine seconds a woman is abused by her husband or intimate partner. At least 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 9 men have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Most often the abuser is one of their own family. Domestic violence is a problem that somehow affects every one of us in this room at some time and is actually the leading cause of injury to women -- more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.

Domestic violence dates back to the beginning of time, but has only really made an impact within the last one hundred years. Domestic violence can be defined as “any use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship” and can include a single act, or a reoccurring act amongst the victim and offender (Edmonton Police Service). Although men are affected by domestic violence, most people “assume the male batterer/female victim paradigm” (Hanna). This is understood through rates of victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is an endemic affecting a large number of people. This paper seeks to explore and discuss domestic violence crisis across Australia. To begin with, Australian Bureau of Statistics on domestic violence indicated that more than 100,000 Australians have experienced domestic violence in their lives . The overall domestic crimes include sexual assaults, homicide, physical abuse, social abuse just to mention but a few. One of the things people dealing with domestic violence finds troubling is the underreporting of incidences of domestic violence. It means those statistics provided here is not accurate because literature review indicates there are so many incidents of domestic violence that go unnoticed and unreported.

Domestic violence remains a serious and widespread crime problem in Australia, causing substantial social, emotional and economic costs to victims, families and communities (Morgan & Chadwick, 2009). Social values and attitudes towards domestic violence have changed over time, and while it was once regarded as a private matter, today domestic violence is considered socially unacceptable and a legal rather than a civil matter. Although there have been significant reforms in policy and policing of domestic violence, it continues to be a serious social problem in Australia with no evidence to suggest any reductions in its incidence (Stewart, 2001). A large body of evidence consistently shows that the victims of domestic

Domestic violence started back in the days of Roman Empire however, it was not recognised in Australia as a crime until the early 70’s, Davidson, (1977 cited in Edleson, 1999 ). Furthermore, children who witness this crime are only now beginning to be recognised as victims. These victims and the long term effects of witnessing physical abuse in their home on a regular basis is only new territory that statistics are being done, in comparison with adult victims.

Domestic violence, also referred to as intimate partner violence, intimate partner abuse or domestic abuse, affects over one million people in the United States alone. It can be carried out in any number of ways including physically, emotionally, sexually, psychologically and/or financially. Its legal definition considers it to be “any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, or any criminal offense resulting in physically injury or death of one family member or household member by another who is residing in the same single dwelling unit” (Brown, 2008). In the United States it is considered a major health problem so much so that it was declared the number one health concern by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1992 (Peterman & Dixon,

Domestic violence is a serious issue that negatively impacts women in our society. “Domestic abuse is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Domestic Violence). Although domestic violence can impact men as well, this type of abuse seems to be more prevalent among women. This abuse destroys families and can even lead to death in some cases. Even though there has been improvement in spreading awareness about this social injustice, much more work must be done to put an end to domestic violence to protect families around the world.

Domestic violence is acknowledged as an issue of significant importance throughout Australia, both generally and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There are many difficulties to assessing the true extent of the issue but this report presents information currently available in relation to Indigenous Australians. This report includes results and information found from a number of surveys and published research reports and also discusses strategies for improvements of the health and wellbeing among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from the perspective from an ecological, holistic and salutogenic approach.

Domestic violence is a plague impacting people in every community, regardless of age, status, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often put together by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a small part of the dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, mental health, and in severe cases, even death “2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths are caused each