2018澳大利亚家庭、家庭暴力和性暴力调查（英文版）_162页-11mb

Summary of Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence in Australia (2018)

Core Content

This report, published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in 2018, provides an overview of the prevalence, impacts, and responses to family, domestic, and sexual violence in Australia. It highlights the significant burden of violence on individuals and communities, particularly women and children, and outlines key data gaps that hinder a full understanding of the issue.

Main Points

1. Overview of Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence

• Definition: Family, domestic, and sexual violence encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological harm, typically occurring within close relationships.
• Prevalence:
  • Women: 1 in 6 (17%) women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a current or previous partner since age 15.
  • Men: 1 in 16 (6.1%) men have experienced similar violence.
  • Emotional Abuse: 1 in 4 (25%) women and 1 in 6 (16%) men have experienced emotional abuse from a partner.
  • Sexual Violence: 1 in 5 (20%) women and 1 in 20 (5%) men have experienced sexual assault or threats since age 15.
• Impact: Violence can cause long-term psychological trauma, physical injury, and emotional suffering, with effects lasting a lifetime and affecting future generations.
• Context: Most violence is committed by intimate partners, especially men against women. However, children can also be victims or witnesses of family violence, which is increasingly recognized as a form of child abuse.

Key Statistics

Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

• Physical and Sexual Violence:
  • 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men (since age 15) have experienced this type of violence.
  • Over half (54%) of women who experienced current partner violence have faced more than one incident.
• Homicide Rates:
  • Between 2012–13 and 2013–14, one woman per week and one man per month were killed by a current or previous partner.
• Hospitalisations:
  • In 2014–15, on average, 8 women and 2 men were hospitalised daily after being assaulted by a spouse or partner.
  • Indigenous women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women.
  • Indigenous men are 23 times more likely than non-Indigenous men.

Children Exposed to Violence

• Witnessing Violence:
  • Nearly 2.1 million women and men witnessed violence towards their parents before age 15.
  • Children who witness family violence are 2–4 times more likely to experience partner violence as adults.
• Child Protection:
  • In 2015–16, about 45,700 children were the subject of substantiated child abuse or neglect.
  • 55,600 children were placed in out-of-home care due to abuse or neglect.

Economic and Social Impact

• Financial Cost:
  • In 2015–16, the estimated cost of violence against women and children in Australia was $22 billion.
  • Indigenous women, pregnant women, women with disabilities, and homeless women may be underrepresented in this figure, potentially adding another $4 billion to the total.
• Health Burden:
  • Intimate partner violence was the leading cause of disease burden for women aged 25–44 in 2011, contributing more than any other risk factor.
  • Anxiety disorders accounted for the largest proportion of this burden (35%), followed by depressive disorders (32%).

At-Risk Groups

• Indigenous Australians:
  • Experience significantly higher rates of family violence, with 14% of Indigenous women reporting physical violence in the previous year.
  • 28% of these incidents involved a cohabiting partner.
• Young Women:
  • Particularly vulnerable to family and domestic violence.
• Pregnant Women:
  • Also at higher risk of experiencing violence.
• Women with Disabilities:
  • Face increased risk of abuse.
• Women Experiencing Financial Hardship:
  • More likely to be victims of violence.
• Children:
  • Often exposed to violence either as witnesses or victims, with long-term developmental and mental health impacts.

Data Gaps and Recommendations

Data Gaps

• Limited information on:
  • Children’s experiences and outcomes.
  • Specific at-risk groups (e.g., Indigenous Australians, people with disability, LGBTI individuals).
  • The impact of socioeconomic, geographic, and employment factors.
  • Service responses and their effectiveness.
  • Pathways and long-term outcomes for victims and perpetrators.

Recommendations

• Improve Data Sharing: Facilitate cross-agency data sharing while protecting privacy.
• Standardise Definitions: Develop consistent definitions to enhance data comparability.
• Enhance Data Collection: Better understand at-risk populations and the services they require.
• Use Longitudinal Surveys: Track the long-term impacts and outcomes of violence.
• Data Linkage: Improve the integration of data across different systems to better understand the full scope of violence and its consequences.

Responses and Policy

• Government Initiatives:
  • The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2010–2022) outlines a framework for reducing violence through four action plans.
  • It focuses on six national outcomes, including safer communities, respectful relationships, and effective justice responses.
• Local Efforts:
  • State governments, such as Victoria, have implemented programs to improve victim services, strengthen early intervention, and support specific groups like sexually and gender diverse individuals.

Conclusion

Family, domestic, and sexual violence is a widespread and deeply impactful issue in Australia, disproportionately affecting women and children. While some data exists, significant gaps remain, particularly in understanding the experiences of vulnerable groups and the effectiveness of responses. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing more targeted and effective policies and services to prevent and respond to violence.