Domestic violence - facts
domestic; violence; relationship; facts; statistics;
Contents
Domestic violence is most commonly referred to in the literature and the media as violence occurring between adults who are intimate partners in a current relationship, or have been intimate partners in a previous relationship.
However, other violence occurs within a domestic situation (family/household), including:
- child abuse
- indirect abuse of children when they witness violence
- sibling to sibling abuse
- violence directed at parents from children
- violence inflicted by family members who are not partners.
Exposure of children to all forms of abuse in the family harms them.
Patterns of violence
While many attempts have been made to explore the extent of domestic violence, we will never accurately know how much goes on in the community. Few victims report abuse to service providers who might collect statistics, or to police. Indeed, few victims discuss it with family members or friends. In part this is because of social taboos that prevent open discussion of the issue.
Research has shown that in Australia, women are more commonly the victims of violence from male partners. Men may also be the victims of female violence, and violence occurs in some same-sex relationships, but the nature of the violence differs. Women are more often the victims of physical violence, while men are more often the victims of psychological or emotional violence. Most men who report being the victims of female violence do not report being frightened of the perpetrator, while women victims of violence often report being in constant fear of their male partner.
Types of domestic violence
These are detailed in the topic 'More than arguments – domestic violence'.
The nature of violence
While there is evidence that both men and women are abusive in domestic relationships, research clearly shows that the nature and results of men's violence are often different to that of women's violence in a number of significant ways.
- In particular, men's violence is more severe, and more likely to inflict severe injury.
- Most researchers agree that men understate and underreport their use of severe forms of violence, and that far more women than men live in fear of their abusive partner.
- Relatively few (if any) males with violent partners experience control, fear and intimidation on a daily basis, while almost all women being abused report that they experienced verbal, psychological and emotional abuse at least once or twice a week, and about half report abuse as a daily experience.
Some sources of statistical information
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse
http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/
Australian Government Department for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) 'Office for Women'
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/overview/ofw/
Pages/default.aspx
Australian Institute of Criminology
http://www.aic.gov.au/
South Australian Government 'Office for Women'
http://www.officeforwomen.sa.gov.au/
Research papers
Australian Government – (FaHCSIA) 'Reducing violence'
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/progserv/violence/
Pages/default.aspx
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 'SAAP clients and children escaping domestic and family violence 2003-04' AIHW bulletin no. 30
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10136
Bobic N, 'Adolescent violence towards parents' Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse
http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/
Carrington J, Phillips J 'Domestic violence in Australia – an overview of the issues' Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Library 2006
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/sp/Dom_violence.htm
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.