Family violence, also known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, is a persistent issue that affects individuals and families across the globe. It involves a range of abusive behaviours that occur within intimate relationships, causing physical, emotional, or psychological harm. In this article, we will explore the complex and sensitive topic of family violence, examining its causes, types, and ways to prevent it.
Types of Family Violence
- Physical Violence: Physical violence includes actions like hitting, slapping, pushing, restraining, shaking, choking, throwing things or using weapons to harm a family member. These actions leave visible injuries and are clear signs of an abusive relationship.
- Emotional and Psychological Abuse: Emotional and psychological abuse is more subtle but equally damaging. It involves manipulating, name-calling, mind games, humiliation, silent treatment, scream, yell and controlling a family member’s emotions and thoughts, causing long-term emotional scars.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse involves coercing or forcing a partner into non-consensual sexual activity, which includes demanding sex, manipulation, make the person feel guilty, which often leads to physical and emotional trauma.
- Financial Abuse: Financial abuse involves controlling or misusing a partner’s financial resources, preventing them from getting or keeping a job, putting them on an allowance, demanding to see receipts, taking the other person’s money without permission, controlling the other person spending thereby trapping them in the abusive relationship.
- Coercion and Threats: Threaten to harm the person, pressuring the person to do illegal things, pressuring the person to drop legal charges, drop intervention orders, threaten to leave and threaten to commit suicide.
- Stalking: Stalking consists of unwanted phone calls, messages, putting GPS trackers on cars, leaving notes and gifts, creating fake profiles to continue communication, turning up to public venues at the same time, and otherwise causing much fear and distress to the victim.
Causes of Family Violence
Understanding the root causes of family violence is essential for effective prevention. Several factors contribute to this issue:
- Cultural and Social Factors:
• Gender Inequality: Deep-rooted gender differences contribute to violence against women.
• Cultural Norms: Some cultural practices and rules may continue violence in families.
• Social Acceptance: Societal acceptance and social language of certain violent behaviours can worsen the problem. Ie, telling your son don’t act or hit or cry like a girl.
Economic Stress:
• Financial Strain: Economic difficulties can lead to increased tension and conflict within families.
• Unemployment: Joblessness may increase feelings of powerlessness and frustration. - Alcohol and Substance Abuse:
• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: Substance abuse can lead to impulsive and violent behaviour.
• Dependency: Dependency on substances can strain relationships, often resulting in violence. - Psychological Factors:
• Mental Health Issues: Unaddressed mental health problems can contribute to abusive behaviours.
• Personality Disorders: Conditions like narcissism or borderline personality disorder can be triggers. - History of Violence:
• Inter-Generational Transmission: Individuals may learn violent behaviours from their families.
• Childhood Abuse: Victims of childhood abuse are more likely to become abusers or tolerate abuse. - Isolation and Lack of Support:
• Social Isolation: Isolation from friends and family can leave victims vulnerable.
• Limited Support Services: A lack of accessible support services can hinder escape. - Technology and Cyberbullying:
• Online Harassment: The digital age has introduced new forms of abuse, including cyberbullying and online harassment.
• Tech-Facilitated Control: Abusers may use technology to control and monitor victims. - Immigration and Cultural Diversity:
• Cultural Adjustment Stress: Immigration stressors can contribute to domestic violence.
• Language Barriers: Communication difficulties can worsen conflicts. - Housing Insecurity:
• Lack of Safe Housing: A shortage of affordable and safe housing options can trap victims in abusive relationships.
• Homelessness: Victims may become homeless due to violence. - Legal and Law Enforcement Factors:
• Inadequate Legal Protection: Gaps in legal protection for victims can discourage reporting.
• Lack of Police Training: Inadequate police training in handling domestic violence cases may lead to underreporting. - Educational Gaps:
• Limited Awareness: Lack of education and awareness about healthy relationships may continue violence.
• Early Intervention: The absence of preventive programs in schools can delay breaking the cycle. - Stressors in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities:
• Historical Trauma: Indigenous communities may face trauma from colonization and displacement.
• Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Socioeconomic differences can contribute to family violence in these communities.
Prevention and Support
Prevention and support interventions for family and domestic violence in Australia are crucial to addressing this pressing issue. Various organizations and agencies work together to provide a range of services and initiatives. Here are some key prevention and support interventions in Australia:
- Public Awareness Campaigns:
Government and non-government organizations run public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the signs of domestic violence and how to seek help. These campaigns also aim to challenge attitudes that perpetuate violence. - Crisis Hotlines:
24/7 crisis hotlines, like 1800RESPECT, are available for individuals experiencing domestic violence. This service provides immediate support and referrals to local services. - Refuge and Shelter Programs:
Safe houses and shelters offer temporary accommodation to people escaping violent situations. They provide a safe space for victims and their children. - Counselling and Therapy:
Psychological support is available through counselling services to help survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives. Counselling Services are also available for men wanting to get a better handle on their behaviour and improve family relationships. - Legal Aid and Advocacy:
Legal Aid services provide information and assistance with legal issues, such as obtaining restraining orders, child custody, and divorce proceedings. - Support Groups:
Support groups allow survivors to connect with others who have experienced similar situations and share their stories and coping strategies. - Community Education Programs:
Schools, workplaces, and community organizations offer educational programs aimed at preventing domestic violence, promoting healthy relationships, and identifying the signs of abuse. - Perpetrator Programs:
Many organizations offer intervention programs like Men’s Behaviour Change for men to address the root causes of their violent behaviour and teach non-violent conflict resolution skills. - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Services:
Specialized services cater to culturally and linguistically diverse communities, recognizing the unique challenges they may face. - Children’s Services:
Children’s Services which include The Orange Door are available to help children who have been exposed to domestic violence, as they may experience trauma and require support. - Financial Assistance:
Financial support and advice help survivors gain independence and financial security. - Technology Safety:
With the increasing use of technology, programs and resources focus on online safety and dealing with cyberbullying and stalking. - Housing Support:
Assistance in finding safe and affordable housing options for survivors is crucial for their long-term well-being. - First Nations Services:
Tailored services are provided to Indigenous communities, recognizing the specific issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - Healthcare and Medical Services:
Healthcare professionals are trained to recognize signs of domestic violence and offer support and referrals. - Policy and Legislative Changes:
Advocacy for and changes in laws and policies to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. - Collaborative Initiatives:
Government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations often work together on coordinated responses to domestic violence.
These interventions are part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and address family and domestic violence in Australia. It’s essential for individuals, communities, and governments to collaborate to create a safer environment and provide support and intervention for all parties concerned.
If you are looking for a particular service, please click on “Resource Links” below.
Click here for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.
Click here for Counselling.
Click on the Resource Links heading above and it will take you to a page which contains many helpful links associated with family violence. Services who work with men, women and children.