Information on Family Violence
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Definition of Family Violence
Family violence is a pattern of behaviour where one partner in an intimate relationship attempts by physical or psychological means to dominate and control the other. It is generally understood as gender violence and is an abuse of power within a relationship or after separation. In the large majority of cases the offender is male and the victim female. Children and young people are profoundly affected by family violence, both as witnesses and victims.
A wide range of behaviours may be involved in family and family violence including physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, social and economic abuse.
Family violence affects the entire community and it occurs in all areas of society, regardless of:
- geographical location
- socio economic status
- age
- culture and ethnic background and
- religious belief
What is Family Violence
Family violence may involve a wide range of behaviours, including:
physical abuse - including direct assaults on the body, use of weapons, driving dangerously, destruction of property, abuse of pets in front of family members, assault of children, locking the victim out of the house and sleep deprivation.
sexual abuse - any form of forced sex or sexual degradation, such as sexual activity without consent, causing pain during sex, assaulting genitals, coercive sex without protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease, making the victim perform sexual acts unwillingly, criticising, or using sexually degrading insults.
emotional abuse - blaming the victim for all problems in the relationship, constantly comparing the victim with others to undermine self-esteem and self-worth, sporadic sulking, withdrawing all interest and engagement (e.g. weeks of silence).
verbal abuse - continual 'put downs' and humiliation, either privately or publicly, with attacks following clear themes that focus on intelligence, sexuality, body image and capacity as a parent and spouse.
social abuse - systematic isolation from family and friends through techniques such as ongoing rudeness to family and friends, moving to locations where the victim knows nobody, and forbidding or physically preventing the victim from going out and meeting people.
economic abuse - complete control of all monies, no access to bank accounts, providing only an inadequate 'allowance', using any wages earned by the victim for household expenses.
spiritual abuse - denying access to ceremonies, land or family, preventing religious observance, forcing victims to do things against their beliefs, denigration of cultural background, or using religious teachings or cultural tradition as a reason for violence.
Note: Physical and sexual violence, threats to harm and damage to property are all reportable crimes.
Facts about Family Violence in Victoria
Family violence directly affects one in five Victorian women over the course of their lifetime
Family violence is the leading contributor to preventable death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15-44 years
Women are more likely to be killed by a male partner or an ex-partner than by any other person
Family violence is a factor in more than half of substantiated child protection cases and children are present at more than half of police attendances for family violence
Less than 20% of affected women report family violence to the Victorian Police
Indigenous Victorians, mainly women, are eight times more likely to be victims of family violence
In 2003/2004 the Victoria Police recorded more than 28 000 family violence incidents and demand for a police response to family violence has increased by 45% in the past three years
In 2003/2004 36% of family incidents attended by police were repeat visits to the same household
The number of intervention orders sought by police from family violence incidents 2004/2005 was 4 523, up 72.2% from the previous year
Family violence affects all communities with the total cost of family violence to Victoria estimated at around $2 billion each year
(Department for Victorian Communities 2005)
Common Beliefs About Family Violence
Commonly held beliefs about family violence reflect attitudes about men and women in general. They influence the way victims see themselves and the responses of social institutions and services, including police, doctors, counsellors, the law and the media.
Beliefs about men who are violent towards their partners:
It's because he drinks.
Alcohol does not cause family violence. Often men are violent whether they are drunk or sober, and many men (and women) drink but do not become violent. In some cases, alcohol may accentuate family violence, and some men may use alcohol as an excuse for their actions, but it is not the primary reason why some men choose to assault their partners.
He had a difficult violent upbringing.
Often people seek to explain family violence by suggesting that violent men had traumatic childhoods, or that they repeat the violence they witnessed in their own family backgrounds. However, this belief cannot account for the thousands of men and women who came from violent backgrounds who do not grow up to be violent. Nor does it explain how men who report happy and non violent childhoods became violent in adulthood.
He has a stressful job. He can't control his anger.
Many men and women work and live in stressful environments, without resorting to violence. Men who are violent toward their partners usually do not also assault their co workers, bosses, or friends. This demonstrates that they are able to control their feelings in other environments.
Violent men are mentally ill.
There is no evidence that men who are violent have higher rates of psychiatric disorders than other men. Given that family violence affects a significant proportion of the population, it cannot be explained solely in terms of 'abnormal' personality characteristics of perpetrators. Violent men usually look and act like 'ordinary' men.
Beliefs about women who are victims of family violence:
She drives him to it, she asked for it
Violence is inexcusable regardless of the circumstances. Men can choose other ways of dealing with conflict, rather than using violence. In fact, many survivors of violence report that there was no conflict in the period leading up to a violent attack, revealing that violence does not result from anger or 'provocation'.
Women who are victims of family violence are predisposed to it
Some believe that victims of family violence allow themselves to be abused, and have psychological problems that lead them to choose violent men as partners. However, there is no evidence that it is a particular 'type' of woman who is likely to become a victim of family violence.
Beliefs about violence in other cultures or classes:
It mainly happens in working class families
Research suggests that family violence occurs in all socio economic groups and cultures. It may be more visible in working class families because they are more likely to come to the attention of public authorities. Middle class women may be just as likely to have violent partners, but these women generally have greater resources to enable them to leave compared to working class women.
Family violence is more common in non English speaking and Aboriginal cultures
This belief may reflect the negative stereotypes held by some people about 'other' cultures. It is difficult to know the prevalence of family violence in any community. It may be more difficult for women of non English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal women to leave violent partners, as they often face additional obstacles. These can include a lack of social and economic resources, language barriers, racism, and inappropriate responses from police and other services.
Beliefs about the family:
Family violence is a private matter
Assault that occurs in the home is often seen as a private matter to be sorted out by the parties involved. Family violence is often referred to as "a family incident" or "a bit of a family" as if it is less serious than violence which occurs in public places. Assault and abuse in the home is equally as serious and damaging as other forms of violence. Family violence is a crime.
(From Family Violence and Incest Resource Centre DVIRC)