Violence is a crime and it is never acceptable. If you have been a victim of, or have witnessed family violence, help is available.
Family violence, also referred to as domestic violence, can include physical, sexual, emotional/psychological and financial abuse as well as neglect, threats and property damage.
The main perpetrators of family violence are men, and the majority of victims are women, most commonly intimate partners, but also mothers and/or children of the perpetrators. VicHealth’s study, The Health Cost of Violence – Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence, reports that:
- One in five women is reported as being subjected to violence at some time in their adult life;
- Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15–44, being responsible for more of the disease burden than well known risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking and obesity;
- The greatest proportion of the disease burden is associated with mental health problems (60%); and
- The risk is higher in pregnant women and in the period following the birth of a child.
At the Federal level, the Women’s Safety Agenda- Elimination of Violence (access via http://ofw.facs.gov.au/womens_safety_agenda/index.htm) aims to decrease the impacts of domestic violence and sexual assault by addressing four broad themes – prevention, health, justice and services. This agenda builds upon the Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative and the National Initiative to Combat Sexual Assault, with increased attention on preventing violence and early intervention and support for those affected by violence.
The Victorian State Government addresses family violence through Changing lives: a new approach to family violence (access via http://www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/) which is also supported by A Fairer Victoria, released in June 2006.