From November 25 to December 10 governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, media, and the UN system are urged to join forces to address the global pandemic of violence.
With a Report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) finding three in ten adolescents aged 18-19 years reported at least one experience of intimate partner violence in the previous year, place-based child and community service organisation Upper Murray Family Care (UMFC) is calling on parents, teachers, community members and funding bodies to ensure that young people are guided from an early age to have respectful relationships and to be kind to each other.
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study found that one in three girls aged between 16 and 24 experienced sexual abuse, primarily from another known young person.
Commenting on the reports, UMFC Chief Executive Officer, Felicity Williams, said the rate at which girls experience intimate partner violence and sexual abuse is too high.
“We are deeply concerned that six Australian women have been killed in ten days. While members of our communities of all genders can be victims of intimate and family violence, there is no doubt that it is gendered adversely towards girls and women,” Ms Williams said.
“We need to understand that intimate partner and family violence affects all of Australia and all cultures, from the most disadvantaged to the most privileged and wealthy. Girls and women are not the problem – we need persons using violence to be held accountable and to change their behaviour. However, in the longer term, we need prevention and elimination – not just safe guarding.
“As a society, we shouldn’t be waiting until children are adolescents to help them understand consent, respect and gender equality.
“Following this spike in the number of women dying as a result of intimate partner and domestic violence in Australia, this is the time where we must stand up and express zero tolerance for gender-based violence.”
Based in north-east Victoria and southern NSW, UMFC supports children, young people and families within local communities, including those experiencing family violence.
UMFC has recognised that part of the solution to breaking the cycle of gender-based violence is to support our young people to make sense of the barrage of confusing social norms and poor role models, particularly as displayed in popular culture and destructive social media influencers such as Andrew Tate.
Communities also need to support the mental health of children and young people through programs that help them to understand themselves and the world around them, and ways in which they can support themselves to grow into becoming good men and women within local communities.
Key to this is having positive role models. For example, boys need to see the adults in their lives calling out disrespectful behaviour and attitudes, and not tolerating displays of toxic masculinity, control and violence. Open family relationships and positive peer friendships are also crucial in reducing intimate violence, particularly for adolescents.
Ms Williams said parent–child relationships that are supportive, trusting and promote good communication throughout adolescence can foster constructive conflict resolution skills for future intimate relationships.
“We have an opportunity to start these conversations about the importance of friendships, family, peer support, and positive respectful relationships with boys and girls at the earliest age possible, even at pre-school,” Ms Williams said.
“UMFC supports children, young people and families affected by family violence and recognises children as victims in their own right. No matter how young the child is, we listen to their story and strive to understand their needs.
“We also recognise that this is an opportunity to work with our youngest generation who are victim survivors to help them heal and participate in education and life. We also need to support them to emerge stronger from their experiences and play a part in breaking the cycle of intimate partner and family violence.
“As friends and family, we need to be aware of the signs of distress that might signal being a victim of violence. We need to find ways to sensitively assist neighbours, friends and family, which could include reaching out to services such as a trusted health provider, child and family services such as UMFC, or the police for support and intervention.
If you or someone you know needs help, phone 1800 RESPECT or 1800 737732, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 13 YARN 13 9276, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line.
UMFC ensures that everyone has a voice, is listened to, and has access to care, and resources and support options when they need it – for local support phone 02 6055 8000.
