Domestic violence refers to acts of violence that occur within intimate relationships and take place in domestic settings (AIC: 2009). It includes physical and sexual assault, intimidation, threats, psychological and emotional abuse, social isolation and economic deprivation (Bugeja et. al: 2013). Domestic violence intersects class, age, ability, location, culture and religion (VicHealth: 2014). It is predicated upon inequitable relationship dynamics in which one person exerts power and coercive control over another (Bugeja et. al: 2013) and whereby violence is most commonly perpetrated by a male against a female partner. According to the ABS (2006), approximately one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence committed by a current or former male partner, and almost one in five have experienced some form of sexual violence. Between 2013 and 2014, there were 31,621 reports of domestic violence in NSW of which 69% of victims were women (Women in NSW: 2014). Of equal gravity, statistics published by White Ribbon (2014) indicate that during the same period one woman was killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence. However, the consequences of domestic violence are more complex than these statistics suggest. Within Australia, domestic violence is the largest contributor to the homelessness of women and children, it is the single biggest health risk for females aged between 15 – 44 and distinct from physical injury, it has severe impacts on emotional wellbeing with more women likely to increase behaviours associated with self-harm and substance abuse (AIC: 2009). The coup de grace; 17% of Australians consider domestic violence a “private” matter (VicHealth: 2014), one in five believe there are circumstances in which women bear some responsibility for violence (VicHealth: 2014), and only 36% of victims actually report personal incidences of domestic violence to police (AIC: 2009).
Main Thesis Statement
Motives and justifications for domestic violence are complex, multifaceted and contradictory. Contemporary explanations of domestic violence conclude that it is an attempt to assert domination and control over women as a result of male inadequacies (James et. al: 2002), it is shaped by sexist and traditional gender roles (Hunnicutt: 2014), is supported through peer culture, media and pornography (Flood & Fergus: 2008) and is more likely to occur where negative attitudes towards women are upheld and legitimised by gender inequality (AIC: 2009). Two key sociological theories emerge in this debate; feminist theories which place gender, masculinity and
patriarchal domination at the centre of domestic violence, and family violence theories which regard partner violence as just one aspect of a larger issue (Lawson: 2012). However, this paper will advocate that gender is crucial in understanding and resolving the significant social issue of domestic violence. “Men’s violence against women is not just a women’s issue, it’s a social issue, it’s a men’s issue” (White Ribbon: 2014), it requires community leaders, decision makers and effective social policy in addressing gender inequity and reducing the prevalence of domestic violence in Australia. Ultimately, men are both part of the problem and part of the solution (Flood: 2002). It is men that can most effectively challenge the attitudes and behaviours of their peers who use or condone violence against women (White Ribbon: 2014). Whilst it is acknowledged that domestic violence is experienced within GLBTI relationships, the scope of this paper is limited to domestic violence within a heterosexual context.