Big risk for victims

AFTER being prejudged as liars, why would victims of domestic violence front up and tell their story to a committee that is facilitated and influenced by a senator who has publicly affirmed that women victims are liars?

I guess some victims hearing these pronouncements would find the prospect of revealing the fear and pain that goes with the experience of domestic violence too big a risk, and the risk is not only about not being believed.

The bigger risk will be the violent partner’s reaction to having his violence revealed.

Domestic violence perpetrators use an all-encompassing pattern of abuse that is effective in silencing the victim, saying that no one will believe them.

There are many ways perpetrators silence their victims, from threats to kill, to taking the children, reporting their partner as a danger to the children, or reporting her to a range of authorities on madeup allegations.

In the political, legal and social sphere, myths about women and domestic violence and sexual assault abound.

Despite efforts over the last few decades to educate and legislate, the domestic violence deniers perpetuate both the abuse and the myths.

Too many of our systems are failing to keep women and children safe in their own homes.

Data, research and evidence have consistently shown the reality of domestic violence, and successive governments have responded.

However, at least one woman a week, year after year, is dying at the hands of her male partner.

Before the committee has even started its work, members are already conflating the issues of women being killed at the hands of their partner with the high numbers of men who take their own lives for a huge variety of reasons.

Men’s suicide is another of our social ills that needs significant attention, but what is the purpose of this committee publicly announcing that the high rate of suicide deaths is connected to family court matters?

What do we want: to pander to the agenda of the men’s rights groups that back Ms Hanson; or a safer, fairer, quicker, more effective family court system?

It is hard to have confidence in this process when its many flaws are obvious.

Will the new committee inquiring into the Family Court demonstrate that safety, justice and fairness will underpin the outcomes? Will they demonstrate that they understand the gendered nature of domestic violence with its ongoing patterns of abuse?

Will they ensure they are familiar with the domestic violence data and research available as a result of commonwealth funding, such as the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children?

Will they be aware of the recent and previous research into the Family Court of Australia outcomes?

On the face of it, many victims of domestic violence will not come forward, either because they are too afraid of their perpetrator, too afraid that what they say will be held against them, or because they will see this inquiry as another system weighted against them, their safety and their hopes of justice.

PAULINE WOODBRIDGE

OAM, Aitkenvale.