Friday, July 24, 2009

Domestic Violence

"I just want the violence to stop" It is hard to accept that someone your care about has deliberately hurt you. We are not just talking about physical abuse. Abuse can also include using force or fear to make you do things that you don't want to do. What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is an abuse of power perpetrated mainly (but not only) by men against women both in a relationship and after separation. It occurs when one partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate and control the other. Domestic Violence takes on a number of forms, the most commonly acknowledged forms are: Physical Assault - punching, hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, choking or use of weapons, spitting, raising fists, throwing objects at you. Sexual Assault - Being forced to have sex (rape), indecent assault, being forced to look at pornography. Emotional Abuse - Threats of violence or death, emotional and verbal abuse which threatens, degrades or insults you. Social Abuse - Being stopped from seeing friends and family. Your partner isolating you from people and controlling where you go. Economic Abuse - Having no access to, or control over money and other resources, being forced to live without money.
Effects of Domestic Violence: The effects of Domestic Violence have been well documented. Women in their child-bearing years appear to be more at risk than older women. Domestic Violence is likely to escalate during pregnancy. Domestic Violence can lead to substance misuse and abuse. Domestic Violence impacts adversely on the victim's physical and mental health. Effects of Domestic Violence include: Physical injury, disability and death. Stress related illnesses: - depression, anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks, feelings of helplessness and inability to cope. Loss of self-esteem and ability to make decisions and exercise choice. Poverty and homelessness.
Effects of Domestic Violence on children: Greater anxiety, bed wetting, restlessness, and unmanageable behaviour. Verbally and physically aggressive, destructive with toys and property. Withdrawal and suicidal. Learning difficulties. Hyperactivity, running away from home. Disrespect for women.
Facts: Police respond to approximately 120,000 domestic violence incidents each year. 75% of victims are female and 80% of offenders are male. On average there are 77 domestic homicides in Australia each year. Aboriginal women are far more likely to experience domestic violence than non-Aboriginal women.
Local Police Stations - Domestic Violence is a crime:
Bowral - 4862 9299; Mittagong - 4871 1222; Moss Vale - 4868 1222; Robertson - 4885 1244
In emergency or life-threatening situations always dial 000 and ask for urgent police response.
Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs): Apprehended Violence Orders are preventative Orders to protect victims in the future. An AVO puts conditions on the offenders behaviour to protect the victim from future violence. Orders can be made if the victim is afraid the offender will assault, threaten, molest, harrass, intimidate or stalk them. Orders can be made whether or not the offender has been charged by the police. Making an Apprehended Violence Order does not give the offender a criminal record. However, breaking an Order is a criminal offence. Conditions on your AVO can be varied, if your circumstances change, by applying to the Local Court for a variation.
For further information contact: Yvonne at the YWCA Family Abuse Prevention Service situated at the Bowral Memorial Hall 24 Bendooley Street, Bowral 2576. Phone: (02) 4861 1911 or mobile: 0423 770 305. Domestic Violence Help Line: 1800 65 64 63

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing the Domestic Violence .This information will help readers.Affray

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