Domestic Violence – It’s not just someone else’s problem!

Today the 25^th of November is White Ribbon Day in Australia and signifies Australia’s campaign to stop domestic violence against women.

The White Ribbon Day campaign involves raising awareness, education and programs across the community to ensure that all women live in safety, free from all forms of men’s violence. The campaigns aim is also to ensure that we make women’s safety a man’s issue too.

White Ribbon initially originated in Canada in 1991 and began in Australia in 2003. It is now active in more than 60 countries and is the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women.

 According to a 2013 World Health organization report, Statistics show that Intimate Partner Violence is the most common type of violence against women, affecting 30% of women worldwide.

And let’s not turn a blind eye to this and think that it doesn’t happen here!

In Australia the following statistics clearly indicate that within this great country of ours, we are facing a serious problem of male domestic violence against women that we need to address: –

Facts: –

1. On average over a 12 month period, one woman is killed “every week” as a result of intimate partner violence.
2. A woman is most likely to be killed by her male partner in her home.
3. One in three women have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence against them by someone known to them.
4. Harassment in the workplace is experienced by one in five women
5. One in five women over the age of 18 years old have been stalked during their lifetime.
6. Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and ill health in Australian women aged between 15 and 44 years old
7. One in four children are exposed to domestic violence which is recognized as a form of child abuse,
8. Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to perpetrate this violence,
9. Domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children, and
10. The cost of violence against women in the Australian economy is estimated to rise to $15.6 billion per annum.

That’s 10 statistics that nobody should be proud of !!

While women can also be violent in relationships with men, and violence is also found in same-sex relationships, the over-whelming health burden of partner violence is borne by women at the hands of men.

So what is intimate partner violence, what are the consequences of it, and what can we do about it?

– Intimate Partner Violence –

The term “intimate partner violence” describes any form of physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a current or former partner or spouse. Intimate Partner Violence can also occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples.

Some examples of Intimate Partner Violence are: –

1. Physical aggression,
2. Psychological abuse,
3. Forced inter- course,
4. Other forms of sexual coercion,
5. Controlling behaviours, and
6. Isolating a person from family and friends.

– Consequences –

There are many outcomes arising from Intimate Partner Violence that affect individuals both in the immediate and long-term. Some of these issues are: –

1. Physical injury,
2. Emotional issues,
3. Chronic pain,
4. Depression,
5. Suicidal behaviour,
6. Employment issues,
7. Increased Doctors visits,
8. Increased Hospitalisation,
9. Unwanted pregnancies, and
10. Increase in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

– What can we do about it? –

As a male we can do our bit to help decrease or eliminate male domestic violence against women by making sure that we do some of, or all of the following: –

1. Take the lead and initiate conversations with other males and discuss any issues or concerns you have if you feel the other person’s actions or words indicate ill treated or disrespectful behavior towards females,
2. Talk to your sons at an early stage and explain what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior toward females,
3. Lead by example and help to build better respect between men and women by treating females respectfully and as equals,
4. Speak out against violence against women, and
5. Challenge the minority behaviours of others who feel that it is alright to mistreat women.

So given the alarming statistics above, it’s about time that we all take a stand against domestic violence within this country.

After all, I don’t think any of us would like to find out that our wife, mother, daughter, partner, or friend has become a DV statistic.

References: –

1. World Health Organisation
2. White Ribbon Australia