Domestic violence: Australia's silent victims

Catherine Robinson

Tony Abbott's recent announcement that he would crack down on gang warfare and knife crime if the Coalition wins the election reinforces the common perception that the worst danger of physical violence lurks down dark streets or in parks.

But the fact is, for most of us the horror exists within our homes, or with the people already in our lives. Of the women killed each year, 60 per cent are at the hands of partners or ex-partners, and 12 per cent by family members.

The common wisdom is that if a woman is in an abusive relationship, the best protective action she can take is to leave. But it is a hidden fact that a woman's risk to violence increases when she attempts to leave her partner, or if she is pregnant. This is the point at which domestic violence often begins, or otherwise existing violence and abuse intensifies.

For the rest of the article http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2998651.htm

Domestic Violence Forum on Older People

Today's forum had 2 guest speakers - Carolyn Tanner from the new Tenancy Support service run by On Track Community Programs, and Paula Wiles from Clarence Valley Community Programs' Aged Care Services. Vicki St Lawrence who is developing the Ageing Strategy for Clarence Valley Council also attended. Unfortunately attendance was poor, though those few of us that were there learnt a lot and had an interesting discussion.

The Tenancy Support Far North Coast is a 2 year Pilot for people at risk of losing their tenancy. The two criteria are 1) that a family (single or couple, and including carers/grandparents etc) have children under 18 years old, and 2) that they have existing accomodation but are 3 or more weeks behind in their rent. The service is able to broker funds for families and is flexible in how support is provided. Each family is also provided with 16 weeks case management with the aim of getting the family out of crisis and functioning well after that time. In her work with victims of domestic violence, Carolyn's emphasis was enabling them to remain in the home by using funds and contacts to change locks and tenancy details etc. Carolyn also works closely with the Salvation Army who now have a complementary 1 year pilot for addressing homelessness - through cross referrals and advice. Carolyn can be contacted on 02 66426399.

Paula spoke on issues such as the need to develop the local Interagency Protocol for Responding to Abuse of Older People so that all major services had an active role, and described some of the types of abuse cases that she had known of and the ways in which she was able to find solutions, as well as the many barriers. Paula can be contacted on 02 66427257.

Thankyou very much to Carolyn and Paula for their time and information.

The next Forum will be on October 21st at the Grafton Council Chambers and the issue will be the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Young People. Hoping more can get to that one!

And on that issue, check out the new website link to the right - Love - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - a website for young people about relationships.

UK Public Service Announcement

I came across this interactive public service announcement on YouTube and thought I would share it. You have two options during the clip  - to click or not to click - and there are consequences for each option. Any ideas on how to get this out to a wider audience?

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=helpmakeitstop&annotation_id=annotation_614488&feature=iv#p/a/u/0/zZY5nFzretw

Police anti-domestic violence campaign a winner - Local News - News - Express Advocate Wyong Edition

Police anti-domestic violence campaign a winner - Local News - News - Express Advocate Wyong Edition