IT’S often unspoken and sometimes whispered about – but family violence seems to be a growing trend.
Those working in the system suggest that most incidents go unreported. Family violence can be like an iceberg – we can see what’s on the surface, but the rest is hidden.
And while the trend is nationwide, counsellors in the Yarra Ranges say there is a large incidence of cases in the region.
In 2007-’08, Knox had the highest reported rate of family violence in the Eastern Metropolitan Region with 613 (per 100,000) incidents reported, closely followed by the Yarra Ranges with 451 (per 100,000).
While the numbers may be a little confronting and hard to hear, they come as no surprise as the Women’s Health East website states that women who live in rural and remote areas reported a higher incidence of sexual assault and domestic and family violence than those in the city.
It also suggests Australian Aboriginal women are more than 40 times more likely to suffer abuse than their fellow countrywomen.
The Mail, in partnership with Yarra Valley Community Health, wants to lift the stigma associated with family violence.
We have been lucky enough to speak to the brave victims of all forms of family violence – all of whom have agreed to tell their story in the hope that it might help others in similar situations.
These are the people who have stood up against their aggressors – physical, emotional or financial – and survived.
Many have said it took years for them to escape, others said it took one moment.
This six-week campaign not only hopes to share the stories of these brave victims, but also inform our readers on what family violence is.
Whether it be a verbal slap, a physical punch or years of financial tyranny, controlling behaviour in our community should not be tolerated.
Victims should be able to shake the stigma, stand up and fight for their survival – without feeling they will be judged or their claims ignored.
In 2005, the Australian Bureau of Statistics personal safety survey estimated that only 36 per cent of female victims of physical assault and 19 per cent of female victims of sexual assault in Australia reported the incident to police.
We hope that bringing the issue out of the shadows and into the light will give victims a voice, and empower society as a whole.
Melissa Meehan
Chief of staff
