Today the federal government announced a $30 million campaign to address domestic violence.
Media reporting by the ABC today has picked up on comments that “there is no clearer symbol of continuing gender inequality in our society than the epidemic of violence against women.”
Sadly though, domestic violence affects men and women of all ages from all backgrounds. Male victims of family violence often find it distressing to see social marketing campaigns such as Violence Against Women Australia Says No (federal) and Don’t Cross the Line (SA), which suggest that men are the only perpetrators of family violence and women and children the only victims.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics 4906.0 – Personal Safety, Australia, 2012 (2013) is the largest and most recent survey of violence in Australia. It found that one in three victims of current partner violence during the previous 12 months (33.3%) and since the age of 15 (33.5%) were male.
Many men suffer multiple forms of abuse, just as women do.
Males make up a significant proportion of victims of family and sexual violence, yet are excluded from government anti-violence programs. http://www.oneinthree.com.au
Domestic violence exists in epidemic proportions – it is criminal and it is up to us all – government and community – to work together to put a stop to violence.
Don’t let concern become regret – domestic violence hotline –http://www.dvconnect.org