Local Laws and Violence Against Women Identifying the links and mitigating the risks

Family Violence Quiz

Current Statistics Approximately one in three Australian women will experience violence at some point in their lifetime. One in five women have experienced stalking (19%) * Reports of violence are increasing with over 60,829 family violence police referrals in 2012/13 for Victoria Approximately 50% of women in violent relationships report that their violent partner had hurt or killed one of their pets** * ( Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Personal Safety Survey) **(The relationships between DV and animal abuse – an Australian Study 2008 Monash University)

Aim To provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the scope and impact of family violence, within a Local Laws context.

Objectives Understanding family violence the impact of family violence Identifying family violence Supporting those experiencing family violence Getting help and/or support

Victorian Context - Common Risk Assessment Framework The Government recognizes the need for a consistent approach. The Common Risk Assessment Framework focuses on: o ensuring victims safety o ensuring responses to victims are respectful, informed, holistic and understanding, regardless of the victim’s background and/or the service’s culture.

Common Underpinning Principles Family violence is: A fundamental violation of human rights A crime Unacceptable in any community or culture

Definition of Family Violence is: (a)Behaviour by a person towards a family member … that is physically or sexually abusive; or emotionally or psychologically abusive; or economically abusive, threatening, coercive or in any other ways controls or dominates the family member and causes that family member to feel fear for their safety or wellbeing or the safety and wellbeing of another person (b) Behaviour that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of the behaviours referred to above Family Violence Protection Act 2008

Forms of Violence against Women Physical Sexual Emotional and verbal Social (VicHealth – Preventing Violence against Women – Short Course 2013) Economic Spiritual Stalking

Common (mis)beliefs Many people believe that family violence is caused by: Abuse of alcohol and/or drugsMental illness UnemploymentMale hormones Financial stressFemale hormones Provocation by women, culture, class etc. (Risk Assessment and Risk Management – Identifying Family Violence Resource Kit – Victorian State Government 2007)

Family Violence is a pattern of behaviour has a purpose is about power and control, generally of a gendered nature has an impact and generally unseen by the public is NOT an act of anger

Gendered Nature of Violence Both men and women are capable of violence and both are the victims of violence. Yet there are important differences between men’s and women’s experience of violence…

Prevalence: Men are most at risk in public spaces and from men they do not know. Women are most at risk in the home and from men they know. In the majority of cases the assailant is a current or previous partner, a male family member or friend. (VicHealth – Preventing Violence against Women – Short Course 2013) Gendered Nature of Violence (cont)

Impact: Women are far more likely than men to experience negative consequences: Sustain physical injuries Fear for their lives Experience a range of controlling tactics Be sexually assaulted Experience violence after separation

Local Knowledge/Statistics Latrobe: 2705 per No. 1 in State 192% increase in police callouts for FV incidents Baw Baw 985 per No. 42 in State 131% increase in police callouts for FV incidents

Local Knowledge/Statistics Bass Coast: 1419 per No.20 in State 72% increase in police callouts for FV incidents South Gippsland: 964 per No. 43 in State 129% increase in police callouts for FV incidents

Local Knowledge/Statistics Wellington: 1369 per No. 22 in State 257% increase in police callouts for FV incidents East Gippsland: 1937 per No.7 in State 247% increase in police callouts for FV incidents

How might you see family violence present in your role as a Local Laws Officer? What risk indicators, threats or violence might you see towards animals?

Why do you think women don’t leave?

Why don’t women leave? there is no place for her to go she may not have a way to support herself or her children if she leaves she feels embarrassed or humiliated about the abuse she fears that her friends, family and community will blame her for the abuse she may be reluctant to leave for emotional or religious reasons leaving entails substantial risks e.g. that the perpetrator may carry out threats to harm her, himself, the children, friends, family or pets.

Vulnerability factors to assess for and identify risk and safety Aboriginal and Indigenous women Women who come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Rural women Women with disabilities Women who are elderly Women with mental health issues Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people Pregnancy/early motherhood/children

Women in Rural Communities Additional factors that make women vulnerable Distance Limited availability of support services Reduced options for transport and cost Lack of affordable temporary or rental accommodation ( Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework and Practice Guides 1-3 Edition 2, 2012)

Reduced or no access to interpreters and other communication services Potency of threats that they will not be believed or be shamed, especially if the perpetrator is a high profile or valued community member Likelihood that they will have continuing encounters with the perpetrator The accessibility of Firearms (Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework and Practice Guides 1-3 Edition 2, 2012) Women in Rural Communities (cont.)

Guidelines SAFETY is a top priority Believe the victim Don’t judge or criticize her – acknowledge her strengths The perpetrator is responsible for the violence Confidentiality and it’s limits Accurate information

Safety Planning and Support The victim’s safety (and the children's) is a priority. For a woman to plan an exit the support worker would consider these things: A safe place where they can go if in danger A friend, family or neighbour who can assist in an emergency A small bag packed with important documents and essential items (e.g. Cash, passports, medication) Response to animals/pets Provide contact details for Specialist Family Violence Response

24 Hour Support Women and Children Women Domestic Violence Crisis Service Women, Children and Workers 1800Respect (secondary consult) 24 Hour National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselling Service

Once upon a crimeOnce upon a crime – follow the link to view the clip

Women and children are predominantly the victims of family violence with 57% of women who have experienced violence had children in their care and 34% witnessed the violence

Children Trauma – The effects of family violence on children Physical – Sleeping too much, too little, eating less, frequent illness, constant crying Bedwetting / Soiling Delays in development such as speech, cognitive thinking and processing Behavioural problems such as aggressive behaviour (to themselves or others) Finding it difficult to be comforted, look away from us or appear to shut down Hypervigilance

Child Protection Protects children and young people from significant harm. Reports can be made by any person, if they believe a child is at risk of significant harm. Has an intake service to respond to community reports. Reports are kept confidential and the identity of the person reporting is protected

Child First Works with children 0-17years and their families who are experiencing difficulties, including parents expecting a child, to ensure the wellbeing of children and prevent the possible involvement of Child Protection.

Safety Planning for Local Laws Officers What are the risks? What are the safety considerations?

If you witness a violent act - if safe you could: Call Police: Don’t endanger your own safety. Call 000 Be a witness: Stand far enough away, but close enough for the perpetrator to see you & be aware that they are being watched. Verbally intervene: Tell the perpetrator clearly that their actions are not okay, it’s a crime & you are calling the police. Ask the victim if they need help. Get others’ support: Ask others who are nearby to help.

Say something to the man: “Hey what are you doing?” “That’s not on mate”. Create a distraction so that the abused person has time to get away or the perpetrator slows down or ceases their violence. Talk to the Woman if possible – without endangering her further: Let her know you saw what was happening and are willing to assist her. Give her a Stop Family Violence Card (Tips taken from the White Ribbon Campaign)

What Else? Secondary Consults: Call police or a family violence agency to talk about your concerns. Contact RSPCA if required. Inform Your Manager: Follow Council policy re completing an incident report. Counselling can be organised if required. Ring 1800RESPECT on : 24 hr counselling service for workers who have witnessed a family violence incident and need debriefing.

Where to now? What supports/services would assist you in your role with Family Violence?

Family Violence Quiz - Answers

1. What is the greatest risk factor for experiencing family violence? a. Poverty b. Race c. Religion d. Gender Source: Victorian Department of Human Services 2012, Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework and Practice Guides 1-3, available at, edition 2, 2012, pp. 4, 14, 26

2. When is a woman in most danger of being killed? a. When the user of violence is drinking b. When she fights back c. When she attempts to leave d. All of the above Source: Victorian Department of Human Services 2012, Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework and Practice Guides 1-3, available at, edition 2, 2012, p. 28.

3. What was the cost of family violence to the Australian community in ? a. $14.7 million b. $1.4 billion c. $14.7 billion (KPMG )

4. How many children in Australia are affected by family violence? a. One hundred thousand b. One million c. Two million d. Two hundred thousand. Source: Sety, M 2011, The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children: A Literature Review, p. 1

5. Early and repeated exposure of children to family violence may result in: a. Chronic emotional and behavioural problems b. Familiarity and acceptance of violence c. Apparently calm and placid child d. Withdrawn and isolated child e. All of the above Source: Graham, J, Watson L & Wilcox, K 2012, AVERT Family Violence – Collaborative Responses in the Family Law System, p. 19.

6. The number of people who believe that victims would leave the relationship if they really wanted to is: a. One in ten b. Four in ten c. Eight in ten d. Ten out of ten. Source: Graham, J, Watson L & Wilcox, K 2012, AVERT Family Violence – Collaborative Responses in the Family Law System, p. 19.

7. Approximately what percentage of women in violent relationships report that their violent partner had hurt or killed one of their pets? a. 15% b. 20% c. 40% d. 50% Source: (the relationships between DV and animal abuse – an Australian Study 2008 Monash University)

A Gippsland Partnership Project with MAV, Wellington Shire Council and the Gippsland Integrated Family Violence Service Reform Steering Committee