Suffering in Silence
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Domestic violence victims live in constant fear all the time. If the abuse has been severe enough, they can have little faith in anyone being able to help them. The fear the victim has that they would be found out can outweigh the need to stop the abuse. Police maintain that any forms of domestic violence need to be reported, whether by the victim, friend, neighbour or support worker. Yet, having the victim report the abuse is what appears to sometimes be the problem. They fear that the police will not do anything is called out, thus also fearing what may happen to them once the police have left. There have been large quantities of literature maintaining that the police do not do much to punish the abuser, or if there is an intervention order, the penalties are minimal. Due to this constant doubt in the back of the victims mind, they are less likely to call the police to help with their situation thus seeking help for domestic violence appears out of reach for many victims. Findings from research conducted by Victorian police using risk assessment analysis, on police responses to domestic violence, show that the police need to pay greater attention to fear as an initial response and take more notice of a victim’s reluctance to apply for an intervention order, due to the fear of what the outcome will be. Findings from interviews conducted from victim’s experiences in formal support, showed dissatisfaction towards outcomes and involvement of police in domestic violence situations.
RESEARCH QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS
Suffering in silence. Why some women find fear restricts them to seek help in domestic violence relationships.
Domestic violence was defined by The Royal Commissions of Human Relationships as ‘acts of violence by one spouse against the other spouse or against the children and was mainly concerned with physical violence and rape. Domestic violence refers to acts of violence that occur between people who have, or
Domestic violence victims live in constant fear all the time. If the abuse has been severe enough, they can have little faith in anyone being able to help them. The fear the victim has that they would be found out can outweigh the need to stop the abuse. Police maintain that any forms of domestic violence need to be reported, whether by the victim, friend, neighbour or support worker. Yet, having the victim report the abuse is what appears to sometimes be the problem. They fear that the police will not do anything is called out, thus also fearing what may happen to them once the police have left. There have been large quantities of literature maintaining that the police do not do much to punish the abuser, or if there is an intervention order, the penalties are minimal. Due to this constant doubt in the back of the victims mind, they are less likely to call the police to help with their situation thus seeking help for domestic violence appears out of reach for many victims. Findings from research conducted by Victorian police using risk assessment analysis, on police responses to domestic violence, show that the police need to pay greater attention to fear as an initial response and take more notice of a victim’s reluctance to apply for an intervention order, due to the fear of what the outcome will be. Findings from interviews conducted from victim’s experiences in formal support, showed dissatisfaction towards outcomes and involvement of police in domestic violence situations.
RESEARCH QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS
Suffering in silence. Why some women find fear restricts them to seek help in domestic violence relationships.
Domestic violence was defined by The Royal Commissions of Human Relationships as ‘acts of violence by one spouse against the other spouse or against the children and was mainly concerned with physical violence and rape. Domestic violence refers to acts of violence that occur between people who have, or