Facts & Statistics
In Australia, one woman is killed by her former or current partner every week. (Australian Institute of Criminology Report 2015)
- "1 in 3 women has been a victim of physical or sexual violence, since the age of 15, by someone known to them. (2012 Personal Safety Survey, ABS)
- 1 in 4 women have been emotionally abused by a partner. (2012 Personal Safety Survey, ABS)
- 1 woman dies almost every week at the hands of a current or former partner. (2015 Australian Institute of Criminology report)"
A shrine and memorial is necessary...
According to Herman, public recognition of trauma is required for healing.
Judith Lewis Herman born in 1942, is a psychiatrist, researcher, teacher, and author who's area of focus is on the treatment of incest and traumatic stress.
“The response of the community has a powerful influence on the ultimate resolution of the trauma. Restoration of the breach between the traumatised person and the community depends, first, upon public acknowledgement of the traumatic event and, second, upon some form of community action. Once it is publicly recognised that a person has been harmed, the community must take action to assign responsibility for the harm and to repair the injury. These two responses- recognition and restitution- are necessary to rebuild the survivor’s sense of order and justice”[1].
[1] Judith Herman, The role of community in “Trauma and recovery” pp. 70. Pub. Rivers Oram Press/Pandora list, 1992, London.
Recovery from psychological trauma. Judith L.Herman MD Department of Psychiatry, The Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. First published: 04 January 2002
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.1998.0520s5S145.x. Citations: 21
Recovery from psychological trauma. Judith L.Herman MD Department of Psychiatry, The Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. First published: 04 January 2002
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.1998.0520s5S145.x. Citations: 21
A shrine and memorial is required to commemorate those both living and who have passed R.I.P as they suffer(ed) and struggle(d) violent acts.
Action needs to be taken on many levels. Community members and society in general can demonstrate that, it wants to bring about change by taking responsibility towards zero tolerance of violence in its systems and laws.
Action needs to be taken on many levels. Community members and society in general can demonstrate that, it wants to bring about change by taking responsibility towards zero tolerance of violence in its systems and laws.
|
|
|
| ||||||||
What is private violence?Private violence definition |
|
Here I will refer to the term 'private violence' encompassing, family violence, & gender-based violence.
|
The Macquarie dictionary
|
Private:
adjective 1. belonging to some particular person or persons; belonging to oneself; being one's own: private property. 2. relating to or affecting a particular person or a small group of persons; individual; personal: for your private satisfaction. 3. confined to or intended only for the person or persons immediately concerned; confidential: a private communication... 8. removed from or out of public view of knowledge; secret. 9. not open or accessible to people in general: a private road. 10. without the presence of others; alone; secluded... [Middle English, from Latin prīvātus, past participle, literally, separated] |
Violence:
noun 1. rough force in action: the violence of the wind. 2. rough or injurious action or treatment: to die by violence. 3. any unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights, laws, etc.; injury; wrong; outrage. 4. a violent act or proceeding. 5. rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language; fury; intensity; severity. 6. a distortion of meaning or fact. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin violentia vehemence] |
I coined the term ‘private violence’ to incorporate gender-based violence, family violence, atrocities, sexual assault, maltreatment and neglect towards: children, young people, adults and older adults.
Perpetrators who commit ‘private violence’ are usually known to the survivor and victim. It is not necessarily what people assume, that is, ‘stranger danger’. Perpetrators are often; family members, friends of family, neighbours, individuals, some are respected leaders within a community and a group of people.
Such acts of private violence include; murder, family and domestic violence, incest, sexual assault, indecent assault, maltreatment and abuse that is, emotional, psychological, physical, financial and spiritual.
I believe that, bullying in the home, at work, school and on the internet / cyberspace is also very harmful and not discussed.
Perhaps, to consider and flag the issue of self-harm may also be seen as an act of private violence (towards oneself).
Private and family violence usually occurs ‘Behind closed doors’, even within the home and often kept as a ‘secret’. People in this situation can feel shame, anger, rage etcetera and think that it is their fault.
Private violence is not the same as what I call ‘public violence’. In my opinion, the definition of ‘public violence’ is (often sanctioned by society) such as, war, where it is in a combat situation, country versus country therefore, soldier against soldier. Albeit, in some cases soldiers violate children and women from the country they are at war with, this is an issue in itself.
Possibly, under the umbrella of ‘private violence’ topic areas can extend to: sexual harassment, racism, discrimination, sexual identity, spiritual/religious affiliation or non-affiliation, sexism, political affiliation, disability, ageism and harm towards the most vulnerable in society.
Perpetrators who commit ‘private violence’ are usually known to the survivor and victim. It is not necessarily what people assume, that is, ‘stranger danger’. Perpetrators are often; family members, friends of family, neighbours, individuals, some are respected leaders within a community and a group of people.
Such acts of private violence include; murder, family and domestic violence, incest, sexual assault, indecent assault, maltreatment and abuse that is, emotional, psychological, physical, financial and spiritual.
I believe that, bullying in the home, at work, school and on the internet / cyberspace is also very harmful and not discussed.
Perhaps, to consider and flag the issue of self-harm may also be seen as an act of private violence (towards oneself).
Private and family violence usually occurs ‘Behind closed doors’, even within the home and often kept as a ‘secret’. People in this situation can feel shame, anger, rage etcetera and think that it is their fault.
Private violence is not the same as what I call ‘public violence’. In my opinion, the definition of ‘public violence’ is (often sanctioned by society) such as, war, where it is in a combat situation, country versus country therefore, soldier against soldier. Albeit, in some cases soldiers violate children and women from the country they are at war with, this is an issue in itself.
Possibly, under the umbrella of ‘private violence’ topic areas can extend to: sexual harassment, racism, discrimination, sexual identity, spiritual/religious affiliation or non-affiliation, sexism, political affiliation, disability, ageism and harm towards the most vulnerable in society.
What is family violence?
On the Victorian Department of Human Services website [1] family violence is described as:
|
|
[1] http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/children,-families-and-young-people/family-violence/what-is-family-violence (14 May 2016)
What is Gender Equity?
|
Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Everyone is affected by gender inequality - women, men, trans and gender diverse people, children and families. It impacts people of all ages and backgrounds.
We need gender equality urgently. Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls. It’s essential for economic prosperity. Societies that value women and men as equal are safer and healthier. Gender equality is a human right. Everyone benefits from gender equality. https://www.vic.gov.au/gender-equality-what-it-and-why-do-we-need-it |
|
(En)countering resistance Strategies to respond to resistance to gender equality initiatives
|
Human Rights Commission 2018 Face the Facts - Gender Equality.
| ||||
"Everyone is affected by gender inequality.
Gender roles and stereotypes impact Victorians throughout their lives."
"Children
- Gender stereotypes affect children's sense of self from a young age.
- Boys receive 8 times more attention in the classroom than girls.
- Girls receive 11% less pocket money than boys.
- Children classify jobs and activities as specific to boys or girls.
- Gender stereotypes affect behaviour, study choices, ambitions and attitudes about relationships.
- Girls are less likely to take part in organised sport.
- Girls are less likely to do advanced maths subjects in their final years of school.
- 1 in 3 Australian women over 15 has experienced physical violence.
- Victorian women earn 87.6 cents to every dollar earned by men.
- Although more women than men complete tertiary education, their graduate salaries are lower.
- 1 in every 2 mothers experiences discrimination during pregnancy, on parental leave or when returning to work.
- Victorian women do nearly twice as much unpaid work as men.
- Women retire with half the superannuation savings of men.
- This affects women's financial security, health and wellbeing.
- More older women are at risk of homelessness than men.
- Aboriginal women’s experience of gender inequality is made worse by the impacts of colonisation and violent dispossession.
- They are 11 times more likely to die from family violence than other women.
- Women from culturally diverse communities experience racism and discrimination on top of gender inequality.
- Migrant and refugee women are often in insecure, low-paid work or work they are overqualified for.
- Women from non-English speaking backgrounds can face barriers to accessing services and understanding their rights.
- Traditional stereotypes are difficult for many men to live up to. They feel pressure to be a ‘real man’, to be physically and emotionally strong, and be the main income earner.
- Many workplaces don’t offer men extended parental leave or flexible hours.
- Men are more likely to drink too much, take unhealthy risks and engage in violence.
- They are less likely to seek professional help or talk about their problems with friends or family.
- Men are more likely to commit suicide.
- Women living outside of metropolitan areas often do not have access to public services.
- They are at greater risk of poor health outcomes and family violence.
- Trans and gender diverse people may feel forced to hide their gender identity when using services, at school or at work.
- They are at greater risk of mental illness, verbal and physical abuse and social exclusion.
- Women with disabilities are more likely to experience family violence and sexual assault.
- They are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed.
- They are paid less than men with disabilities and women without disabilities."
Infographics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
