A BOLT Safety Society resource
CW: Discussion of domestic and sexual violence
Writer: Dominic
Introduction
A survey that ran from 2021 – 2022 found that around 20% of Australian adults reported being physically or sexually abused at one point by an intimate partner or other family member. This includes roughly around 1 in 6 women who have experienced domestic violence at one point in their lives. Additionally, the government has reported that from 2022 – 2023, there had been 84 domestic homicide victims, 34 of which were women murdered by an intimate partner (FDSV). These statistics represent a disturbing trend for many Australians, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even calling the current issues of domestic violence against women a “national crisis” (The New York Times).
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a specific type of family violence in which a current or former intimate partner attempts to assert dominance and control over another in violent and abusive ways. Family violence is regarded as abusive behaviour towards family members, but not necessarily intimate partners. Although a large portion of domestic violence incidents do involve physical abuse, there are other ways in which an intimate partner can be abusive. This can include emotional or psychological abuse, such as intimidation, humiliation, or playing into a person’s insecurities. Other forms of abuse can be isolating their partner from friends and family, restricting their movements and freedom, controlling their finances or monitoring their spendings (Full Stop Australia). For more information about the various forms of abuse, you can read BOLT’s Hub article here.
Signs of abusive behaviour
Before continuing, it should be said that the survivor is never to blame for having suffered abuse. The blame and responsibility lie solely on the perpetrator who made the intentional decision to harm and take advantage of another person. Sometimes, survivors and their loved ones may not be aware that their partner’s actions are abusive as perpetrators often make an active effort to conceal signs of their abuse. They may even manipulate the survivor into thinking that their actions are a sign of love or that they deserve the horrible treatment. Despite this, there are still some signs that can be used to identify whether you or a loved one is experiencing domestic abuse. While this list is not complete, some signs include:
- The offender having control over their partner’s finances
- The victim having to ask permission before seeing friends and family
- The offender being overly present or constantly having to “check-up” on their partner
- An uncharacteristic change in the victim’s behaviour after entering the relationship or living together
- The victim becoming anxious or worried about their partner’s reaction to inconveniences, such as coming home late (Full Stop Australia)
If you believe that a loved one is in an abusive relationship, one of the most important things to do is to listen and believe them. This can help them feel validated, which is an empowering experience that can give them the much needed strength. It is also very important to avoid blaming the victim or survivor and to remind them that it is not their fault.
You can also offer to go with them to the police, hospital, or courts, or to be with them when they call a crisis line or shelter. The best thing you can provide for a loved one in need is support. If their life is in danger, call emergency services at 000.
Resources
If you or a loved one has been a victim of domestic abuse, there are numerous resources and services available that can provide aid and support.
Medical help
Sexual violence refers to being forced, manipulated, or coerced into engaging in any form of unwanted sexual activity. It is one of the most common forms of domestic violence and often involves non-sexual forms of physical abuse as well. If a victim or survivor is hurt with life-threatening injuries, ask for an ambulance by calling 000. Even if they don’t have any apparent injuries, they can still consider going to the hospital and ask for a forensic medical examination to be performed- this is a sexual assault examination performed to collect evidence after a rape. If they think they may be pregnant, they can also ask the medical professional for options. They can also test the survivor for any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Doctors and nurses will deal with their medical needs confidentially. If they are an adult, they will not inform the police without their permission.
Police action
Victims/survivors have the choice to decide whether they want a police report filed and press charges against the perpetrator. This can be done by filing a report at your local police station, or by calling 131 444.
The New South Wales government has the option to anonymously report crimes relating to sexual assault through an online portal. Although this portal seeks information about the offender, if you do not know the offender or do not want to disclose their name, you will be asked to describe them instead. The portal also seeks information about the person making the disclosure. You will have the opportunity to remain anonymous by providing your details but request no engagement from police. The online reporting portal for NSW is available here.
More resources
Emergency Services
Telephone: 000
Sexual Assault Crisis Line - Victoria Telephone: 1800 806 292 https://www.sacl.com.au/
After-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault in Victoria. Provides counselling, information on legal options, medical options and referrals, as well as coordination of crisis care response for survivors.
NSW Health Sexual Assault Services https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/parvan/sexualassault/Pages/health-sas-services.aspx
A list of telephone numbers of support services for survivors of sexual assault in New South Wales by region. They all provide 24/7 crisis counselling, information and support, medical care and forensic examination, ongoing counselling, group work and court preparation and support for anyone who has been sexually assaulted regardless of whether or not a police report has been filed.
1800RESPECT Telephone: 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au/ Provides 24/7 support to people impacted by sexual violence, including safety planning, counselling, information, and referral.
Full Stop Australia Telephone: 1800 424 017 https://fullstop.org.au/ The official New South Wales Sexual Violence Helpline. A 24/7 telephone and online chat service for anyone affected by sexual violence. They can provide professional trauma counselling, information and referral to other services, telephone and online support, and vicarious trauma support and debrief for professionals.
Disclaimer: Please note that our team is not claiming expertise in the topics discussed on our platforms, and we endeavor to verify any published information with reliable sources and community experts and organizations. Any content on our platforms should not replace advice given to you by professionals, and you are using our information, resources, and programs at your own risk. Please contact us if you see an error so that we can investigate the matter and make corrections where necessary.
References
“Adult Sexual Assault - NSW Police Force.” Portal.Police.Nsw.Gov.Au, portal.police.nsw.gov.au/adultsexualassault/s/sexualassaultreportingoption?language=en_US#:~:text=If%20you%20are%2016%20years,SARO)%20through%20the%20community%20portal.
“Amid All the Crisis Talks and Prevention Efforts, 2024 Has Been a Horror Year for Violence against Women | Kristine Ziwica.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 16 Dec. 2024, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/17/domestic-family-violence-against-women-deaths-australia-2024.
Bergin, Julia. “Australia’s ‘national Crisis’ of Domestic Abuse.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 May 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/05/24/world/australia/24ozletter-domestic-violence.html.
“Domestic Violence Resources Facts & Faqs: White Ribbon Australia.” White Ribbon, 17 Nov. 2024, whiteribbon.org.au/resources/.
“Domestic Violence.” NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, bocsar.nsw.gov.au/topic-areas/domesticviolence.html#:~:text=Domestic%20violence%20is%20a%20serious,in%20the%20past%2012%20months.
“FDSV Summary .” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/resources/fdsv-summary.
“Five Ways to Stand against Domestic Violence.” Mission Australia, www.missionaustralia.com.au/stories/safe-homes/five-ways-to-stand-against-domestic-violence#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20experiencing%20abuse,RESPECT%20(1800%20737%20732).
“Sexual Assault and Rape.” Healthdirect, Healthdirect Australia, www.healthdirect.gov.au/sexual-assault-and-rape#needed.
“Types of Domestic and Family Violence.” Full Stop Australia, fullstop.org.au/get-help/about-violence-and-abuse/types-of-domestic-and-family-violence.
“What Is a Forensic Examination?” Queensland Police , www.police.qld.gov.au/units/victims-of-crime/support-for-victims-of-crime/adult-sexual-assault/what-is-a-forensic.
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