Family Violence Policy
Introduction
The key issue that impacts Australia is domestic violence. Family abuse, under Australian law, is solely defined as violence committed by a heterosexual companion. Physical injuries, coercion, doing harm to property intentionally, acting immorally without authority or threatening are some of the components of family abuse (UN, 2022). The impact of this can be observed on every individual be it a child or adult irrespective of race, financial difference social difference, educational variances, or any geographic upbringing which can lead to mortality. The quasi selections and failure to report models in official documents create an irrational prejudice; for instance, they omit the fact that women are the predominant perpetrators of this violence. In this paper, the background of the policy, and key changing moments will be discussed. Additionally, ideological influences in the policy and other welfare regime responses to the issue will be highlighted. The extent to which this policy tends to be socially just will also be discussed.
As per the crime statistics it has been observed that every third assault on a woman is done by her male partner. However, the number of assaults that women cause on their male companions is minimal. Moreover, from ancient times it has been observed that domestic abuse in some way or the other is related to violence. Females having aged between 25 to 40 are the most vulnerable victims of the intimate violence in homes (WHO, 2021). In imperial Queensland, family violence has a long history that is correlated with the frequency of abuse prosecutions in 19th-century tribunals. In 1880, the incidences of marital assault, white oppression, and violence against women based on race were on increase. Gender discrimination spread all over the Australian society which led to the supremacy of males (Kevin, 2020). Every individual whether a woman or a refugee suffered from domestic abuse in disparate amounts. At that time the primary objective of the government is to make certain policies that will encourage the other organization to collaborate with Australian National Institutions so as provide women safety in the society (Bessant, Watts, Dalton, & Smyth, 2020). When men beat their wives frequently during World War II, it eventually led to violence against the wives, which is when family violence first emerged.
Family, domestic, and sexual assault has raised public awareness becoming a primary priority for the Australian government as well as state and territory governments. Latest nationwide, state, and territorial investigations into the actions of the government have been conducted. They all emphasise the necessity of investing in preventive and better integrating victim service measures early intervention, as well as increased accountability for offenders. Australian women and their children can exist protected from abuse in safe communities, according to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children—2010–2022, which was published in 2011 (Australian Government, 2022). Domestic/family violence and sexual assault are the two main types of violence that are the emphasis of the plan. Women are the principal victims of these acts of abuse. A "substantial and sustained decline in violence towards women and their children" is what the National Plan seeks to accomplish. A structure for organizing official efforts to carry out four plans of action over a 12-year period is provided by the National Plan. It concentrates on the following six results:
1. Societies are secure and violence-free
2. connections are honourable
3. Native American groups are reinforced
4. Facilities are offered to help women and children who are victims of abuse.
5. Justice measures are successful.
6. Perpetrators stops, and those responsible are brought to justice.
In accordance with the National Plan, the Third Action Plan for 2016–19 was introduced in October 2016. It provides 36 doable activities in six national focus areas that authorities, communities, corporations, and people can take over the next three years to prevent violence against women and their children (Australian Government, 2017).
The consequences of gender-based violence are the most serious problem that women face. Due to a shortage of dispute protection, women who are victims of spousal violence have obstacles obtaining assistance as well as challenges with tracking and maintaining concealment. Thus to prevent women from such incidences it is required to establish security centers and assisting programs. Effective development and execution of statistical findings are included in the strength component. An effective and efficient mechanism for assessing and communicating new strategic objectives must be created. Intervention strategies and refugee protection under the public housing for repeated victims are subpar measures with minimal control. Intervention strategies and refugee protection under the public housing for repeated victims are subpar measures with minimal control. In Victoria and Queensland, perpetrators of domestic violence and homelessness have been forced to make decisions with safe alternatives due to the lengthy wait for substitute homes (Hill, 2015).
Family abuse victims are now concentrating on the police's involvement in participating and ending domestic violence. Thus to ensure safety and security for women in the society the criminal justice system and police officials of the nations have come together to respond to the increased family violence. Certain punitive steps must also be taken to reduce the incidences. The police officials have increased their assistance to victims of violence and are undergoing certain effective strategies so that they could get proper information about the incident committed (Fenna & Manwaring, 2021). Moreover, government agencies are involved in developing secure service edification programs that will help the women to heal from the abuse. The alterations in programs have to be done so that workplace culture for the women could change through implementing social pacts. A review process has to be conducted timely so that the impact of the change and evaluation could be possible. Moreover, with this analysis relationships with the community and other people might also be assessed. These measures will make the Australian society socially just for women (Mason, Spinks, Hajkowicz, & Hobman, 2014).
Conclusion
From ancient times till today, many changes have been observed in the society that relates to providing support and safeguarding the women against domestic abuse. Many policies have been framed to provide protection and this issue is not being treated casually. The police and judicial system are also taking severe measures to combat this problem. Despite this, today also women face such issues. To avoid these more significant measures like providing education and spreading awareness regarding the issue is an essential step that must be implemented on a wider scale.
References
ABS. (3017). Personal Safety, Australia. Retrieved from ABS: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/personal-safety-australia/latest-release
ANROWS. (2021). Who we are. Retrieved from ANROWS: https://www.anrows.org.au/about/
Australian Government. (2017). Family, domestic and sexual violence. Retrieved from Australian Government: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/992db2cc-be47-4c30-bf7b-a3d32afa84ce/aihw-australias-welfare-2017-chapter2-7.pdf.aspx
Australian Government. (2022). The National plan to reduce violence against women and their children 2010-2022. Retrieved from Australian Government: https://www.pmc.gov.au/office-women/womens-safety/national-plan-reduce-violence-against-women-and-their-children-2010-2022#:~:text=Listen-,The%20National%20Plan%20to%20Reduce%20Violence%20against%20Women%20and%20their,from%20violence%20in%20safe%20communi
Bessant, J., Watts, R., Dalton, T., & Smyth, P. (2020). Talking policy: how social policy is made. . Routledge.
Fenna, A., & Manwaring, R. (2021). Australian Government and Politics. Pearson.
Hill, J. (2015). The costs and causes of domestic violence. Retrieved from Mens out reach: https://mensoutreach.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-costs-and-causes-of-domestic-violence-1.pdf
Kevin, C. (2020). Tyrants, Heroes, Sex and Secrets: Foundational Histories of Domestic Violence, Turning Points in Historiography and the Legacy of Judith A. Allen in Australia. . Australian Historical Studies, 51(2), 127-145.
Mason, C., Spinks, A., Hajkowicz, S., & Hobman, L. (2014). Exploring the contribution of frontline welfare service delivery to capability development in Australia. . Journal of Social Policy, 43(3), 635-653.
UN. (2022). What Is Domestic Abuse? Retrieved from UN: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse
WHO. (2021). Devastatingly pervasive: 1 in 3 women globally experience violence. Retrieved from WHO: https://www.who.int/news/item/09-03-2021-devastatingly-pervasive-1-in-3-women-globally-experience-violence
