‘Deeply concerning’ views on domestic violence commonplace in Australia

Concerning new data has revealed that Australians still have misconceptions when it comes to the serious topic of domestic violence, despite increasing discussion around the issue.

According to research released by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), a whopping two in five believe that many women exaggerate the unequal treatment of females in the country, while one in five Aussies think domestic violence is a normal reaction to stress.

On top of this almost 20 per cent are not aware that non-consensual sex in marriage is illegal and one in seven believe non-consensual sex is justified if the woman initiates intimacy.

Shine Lawyers’ Solicitor Kimberley Allen said while discussions around domestic violence have helped to break down the stigma attached to it in the past, there is still much more that needs to be done, with one woman a week, on average losing their life at the hands of a partner or former partner. This year alone, a total of 63 women have been killed due to domestic violence.

“What is extremely important is the continued conversation to change the dialogue around domestic violence, to end victim blaming and any judgement that survivors face,” she told Starts at 60.

“We need continued education for all of us, victims, men, women, children – we all need to learn and model respectful behaviour, it is everyone’s responsibility.”

The latest statistics follow reports in June by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that the number of sexual assault victims has increased by eight per cent across Australia from 2016, reaching an eight-year high.

ANROWS Chief Executive Officer Dr Heather Nancarrow described the discrepancy between many Australians’ knowledge and the evidence as worrying.

“Despite an increase in the number of high-profile cases of sexual violence in the media, such as those involved in the #MeToo movement, it is deeply concerning that so many Australians are still not believing women who come forward with claims of violence and sexual assault,” she said in a statement.

Health promotion foundation VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter, which led the NCAS study in 2009 and 2013, echoed her comments, claiming it is unacceptable that many in the community were quick to dismiss or explain away women’s experiences of sexism, violence and abuse.

“There has been a continued decline in the number of people who realise that women are the primary victims of domestic violence, which is ludicrous when we consider that violence against women is still the leading preventable contributor to death and disease of women aged 18 to 44,” she said.

“Promoting equal relationships between women and men at every level of our community is integral to reducing the devastating rates of family violence. If we are to make any headway in achieving this, we have to recognise and believe women’s experiences.”

While both men and women can be victims of domestic abuse, statistics show that it is most commonly women who are subject to violence or torment on a regular basis.

The reporting of domestic violence has increased in recent years though, compared to the 1990s when women were more likely to suffer in silence to all forms of violence including, physical, sexual and emotional.

Read more: White Ribbon Day: Baby Boomer recalls harrowing domestic violence experience

It was not widely talked about and there was a lot of stigma surrounding violence within the household. Only 19 per cent of women who experienced physical assault by a male perpetrator reported it to the police in 1996. The same statistics were recorded for those who reported sexual assault.

Thankfully though, some of the attitudes towards violence against women have changed since then with more people recognising financial and emotional signs of abuse.

In 1995, 71 per cent of people surveyed believed repeatedly criticising a partner to make them feel bad was a form of domestic violence compared to 92 per cent in 2017.

While 62 per cent of Aussies in 1995 thought controlling a partner by denying them money was regarded as domestic violence, compared to 81 per cent last year.

Read more: White Ribbon Day: Baby Boomer recalls harrowing domestic violence experience

Perhaps helping to understand the growth in domestic violence cases over the past few years is the fact that more people are recognising the importance of reporting. Back in 1995 20 per cent of people believed women who are sexually abused should sort it out themselves rather than report it. Whereas nowadays only seven per cent claim this is right.

This latest data comes just weeks after people across Australia came together on White Ribbon Day to recognise the importance of prevention of domestic violence.

Aussies took the opportunity to spread awareness and discuss the importance of implementing prevention programs in communities through activities such as marches and barbecues throughout the country.

Speaking to Starts at 60 White Ribbon Acting Chief Executive Officer Delia Donovan said frontline services are at breaking point and Australians need to act now to prevent the issue from spreading further. 

“At this point everyone needs to stand up and hold disrespect, abuse and violence against women and children in all its forms to account, without exception,” she explained. 

“Prevention programs that deliver behaviour change like White Ribbon’s will unite with all other services and frontline responses to address this critical issue for our society. We need leadership, and we need to treat this issue as a political and social priority.”

What are your thoughts on this data? Do you think attitudes have changed in regards to violence against women? What more do you think needs to be done to address this issue?