Facts and Figures about Domestic and Family Violence in AustraliaPrepared and Presented by Veronica Wensing
The extent of the problem:
The ABS Women's Safety Survey in 1996 determined that at least 23% of women had experienced domestic or family violence. The 2003 Victorian Family Violence Database [1] upholds this figure. Using the last ABS census figures of 2001, that accounts for 2.2 million women, 1,7 million over the age of 15.Current 2002/03 national SAAP data shows that 56,100 women accessed a refuge in the last year and 53,700 accompanying children were accommodated. 87% (47,200) of these children were under the age of 12 and 23,900 of them under 4. These figures don't include the turnaways of 4,354 women with children counted in a snapshot SAAP AIHW survey. [2]Reports [3] also show that somewhere between 80% and 95% of women who experience domestic/family violence do not access help from any service [4] . If women accessing services represent somewhere between 5 to 15% of women who experience domestic violence, we can estimate that at least 1.12 million women are effected each year.The ABS Women's safety survey also found that up 42% of women who had experienced violence from a former partner had experienced it whilst pregnant and 11% of those incidents had resulted in miscarriage.
One quarter of Australian kids have witnessed or experienced acts of violence against their mother or stepmother [5] .
The year of age which a woman is most likely to experience family violence are also those that they are most likely to be pregnant and/or have dependent children [6]. More than two thirds of women who experienced violence from a former partner had children in their care at the time [7].
So if we are talking at least 1.2 million women - with an average fertility rate of 1.73, that is approximately 2.1 million kids (and according to SAAP data, two thirds of women accessing SAAP are escaping DV, so at least 1.4 million children are living with or affected by domestic violence!). That means we can estimate that somewhere between 1.4 and 2.1 million Australian children are living with or have been affected by domestic/family violence.
Homicide:
Approximately 88% of all crimes against a person offences in the home are perpetrated by males. Nearly 3 in 5 of all murders of women over 15 occur between domestic partners [8].80% of the315 homicides a year occur between known people.76 homicides a year are intimate (in a domestic relationship), three quarters of which have a male offender and female victim. Only 3% had AVOs or a reported history [9] .In Victoria, 80% of violence against women goes unreported to police [10]. During the period July 1989 to June 1996 there were 434 intimate homicides where the woman was a victim [11]. That is an average of 62 a year.35% of children who were victims of homicide in Australia between 1989 and 1993 died as a result of family violence, killed by a male offender and usually relating to the termination of the parent's relationship [12].Nationally, 24% of women who are escaping domestic/family violence and accessing SAAP services are Indigenous. In the NT it is 76% and in WA it is 50% [13]. The situation for Indigenous women and children in Australia is much more extreme than the average population.
The effects:
As a result of experiencing domestic violence women are placed in positions where they become isolated from family and friends, have to uproot them selves from their networks if they want to escape, ongoing victimization after separation, particularly if there are custody and child contact issues, physical injury, anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, drug and alcohol use, mental health issues and poverty.
The effects of domestic violence on children result in poor social skills, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, learning difficulties developmental delays and later, self harming behaviours, suicidality, drug and alcohol use, risk taking, mental health issues and often violent behaviour.The economic impact and cost to the community cannot be underestimated. - The cost to other services such as GP's Hospitals, Education, Child Health, Disability and mental health services, behavioural support, drug and alcohol services, police, courts, the prison system, public health, community services and SAAP is enormous.The current situation:
In spite of the Federal Government making a $66 million commitment through the Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative and the Sexual Assault initiative, there has been little difference made on the ground for women and children whose lives are effected.Consistent underspends in the budget remain. The fact that the Federal Government was able to use $10.3million for its fridge magnet campaign against terrorism when domestic and family violence is as great if not a greater threat to women and children’s safety and security, is shameful. Why had that money not been spent?The Howard Governments moves to streamline national women’s organisations have resulted in a conservative voice representing women’s issues from only 4 national women’s NGO’s. Amongst the organisations who no longer receive any government funding is the national peak body working towards the elimination of domestic and family violence, WESNET.WESNET has historically represented women’s SAAP services and its formation was initiated by a Labour government in the early 90’s and it was established1994. Since restructuring after losing its funding, WESNET now represents all services working with women and children whose lives are effected by domestic and family violence. This includes women’s health centres, women’s legal centres, court assistance schemes, hotlines, information and referral services as well as refuges.The current Commonwealth Government continues to ignore WESNET’s existence however, with the recent allocation of half a million dollars going to Lifeline to set up a phone line. This money is from unspent PADV funds and was allocated without consultation with WESNET or a fair tendering process.Women do not need another phone number to call – they need services on the ground.The latest example of the issue not being taken seriously is the Howard governments sudden withdrawal of the ‘No Respect, No Relationship’ campaign which cost the taxpayer $2.7million. Had the campaign gone ahead, it is said that it would have been internationally ground breaking and an excellent example to other nations of how Australia is dealing with this issue.There is a fear that the “no respect, no relationship” campaign will never see the light of day, particularly in the lead up to the elections. We put it to Mark Latham that he has an opportunity to capitalize on the failings of the Howard government and can provide leadership and recognition of the seriousness of these issues and the pervading effects on the wellbeing of our community and the overall wellbeing of our nation.§ Funding on-going programs instead of pilotsThis can be done by:
§ Progressing recommendations arising from several key PADV reports including current WESNET research on progress in accommodation and outreach support for women, where it will be recommended to fund places for clients aged 0 -18 in SAAP which currently are unfunded, although counted in data collections.§ Re funding national peak women's organisations such as WESNET.§ Raising awareness of the issue of safety for women at every opportunity.§ Promoting positive role modelling for children that is violence and oppression free.
[1] Victorian Community Council Against Violence, Family Violence Database, 2003 , www.vccav.vic.gov.au[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Data Collection Agency, Unmet demand survey 2001/02[3] ABS, Women's Safety Survey 1996; Victorian Family Violence Database, 2003[4] See also OSW Department of PM&C, Working together against violence. The first three years of Partnerships against Domestic Violence. Commonwealth of Australia 2001 p.v.[5] Indermauer, D (2000) Young Australians and domestic violence. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal justice. No 195, Australian Institute of criminology[6] Victorian family Violence database[7] ABS, women's Safety Survey[8] ibid.[9] Australian Institute of Criminology. Homicidal Encounters. A study of homicide in Australia. Mouzos J (2000)[10] Women's Experience of Crime and Safety in Victoria 2002. Crime Prevention Unit Department of Justice, Victoria[11] Carach, C and James, M (1998) Homicide between intimate partners in Australia[12] Strang, H (1996) Children as victims of homicide. Trends and issues in Crime and Criminal justice, no. 53, Australian Institute of Criminology[13] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, SAAP NDCA 2001/02