Domestic & Family Violence and Sexual Trauma

Question 1

How does the World Health Organization define Domestic and Family Violence (DFV)?

Answer 1

DFV is systemic abuse of power in a relationship where one partner controls the other, creating an environment of abuse, fear, and intimidation. It includes physical, emotional, financial, and other forms of abuse.

Question 2

Q2: What is coercive control, and why is it significant in DFV?

Answer 2

Coercive control is a pattern of behavior used to control and oppress a partner, restricting their freedom. It predicts the severity of violence and includes both physical and non-physical tactics, such as intimidation and isolation.

Question 3

Q3: What are some forms of DFV?

Answer 3

• Physical abuse
• Emotional/psychological abuse (e.g., gaslighting)
• Sexual abuse
• Financial control
• Reproductive control
• Social isolation
• Stalking
• Technological abuse
• Spiritual abuse

Question 4

Q4: How has coercive control been addressed legally in Queensland?

Answer 4

In 2023, Queensland introduced legislation making coercive control a stand-alone criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

Question 5

Q5: What is gaslighting, and how does it relate to DFV?

Answer 5

Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where a person is manipulated into doubting their sanity, memories, or perceptions, often used to control and disempower the victim.

Question 6

Q6: What are the statistics on DFV in Australia?

Answer 6

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men experience DFV in their lifetime.
• Indigenous women are overrepresented as victims.
• On average, 1 woman a week is killed by a current or former partner.

Question 7

Q7: How does DFV affect children?

Answer 7

Children exposed to DFV often experience co-occurring abuse, including neglect, emotional and physical abuse, and sometimes sexual abuse. They may also be used as tools to continue abuse post-separation.

Question 8

Q8: What unique forms of abuse occur in LGBTQIA+ relationships?

Answer 8

• Threats to reveal gender or sexuality.
• Using transphobia, homophobia, or biphobia for control.
• Undermining gender identity or targeting gendered features.
• Higher rates of sexual assault for transgender and gender-diverse people.

Question 9

Q9: What role does technology play in DFV?

Answer 9

Technology is used to intimidate, harass, monitor, or stalk victims through tools like spyware, location tracking, and hidden cameras, creating a pervasive sense of control.

Question 10

Q10: How did COVID-19 impact DFV rates?

Answer 10

• 33% of women surveyed experienced physical or sexual violence in their relationships for the first time.
• Violence increased in frequency or severity for 53% of women who had prior experiences of violence.

Question 11

Q11: What is the Power and Control Wheel, and how is it applied in DFV?

Answer 11

The Power and Control Wheel is a framework showing tactics used by perpetrators to dominate victims, including emotional abuse, isolation, intimidation, and financial control. It highlights the cyclical and systemic nature of DFV.

Question 12

Q12: What are some risk factors for homicide in DFV cases?

Answer 12

• Stalking
• Escalation of violence
• Strangulation
• Use of weapons
• Controlling behaviors
• Isolation and jealousy
• Threats to kill or commit suicide.

Question 13

Q13: What are some barriers to reporting DFV in LGBTQIA+ communities?

Answer 13

Fear of outing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Concerns about discrimination from police or service providers.
- Community minimization of DV, attributing it to external factors like trauma or discrimination.

Question 14

Q14: What are the impacts of DFV during pregnancy?

Answer 14

• Increased risk of violence.
• Over 400,000 women reported experiencing violence during pregnancy in Australia.
• Can lead to harm to both the mother and unborn child.

Question 15

Q15: How does DFV differ between men and women in terms of perpetration and victimization?

Answer 15

• Men’s violence against women often involves control, coercion, and intimidation.
• Women’s violence against men is more likely to result from self-defense.
• 95% of violence victims report abuse from male perpetrators.

Question 16

Q16: What are the long-term costs of childhood sexual trauma in Australia?

Answer 16

• Economic cost: $24 billion in unresolved trauma.
• A minimum gain of $9.1 billion could result from addressing childhood trauma.
• Significant impacts on victims, families, and communities.

Question 17

17: What are the statistics on stalking in Australia?

Answer 17

• 1 in 5 women report being stalked since age 15.
• 75% of stalking victims are women.
• Men are more likely to be stalked by other men.
• Stalking is often linked to other forms of DFV, including homicide.

Question 18

Q18: What does research say about sexual assault rates among transgender and gender-diverse people?

Answer 18

Trans and gender-diverse individuals report sexual assault rates of 50%, significantly higher than the general population’s 14% rate.

Question 19

Q19: What are the outcomes of sexual assault cases reported to police?

Answer 19

• Only 1 in 6 rape reports and less than 1 in 7 incest reports result in prosecution.
• Only 17% of reported sexual offenses result in conviction.

Question 20

Q20: How can post-separation violence manifest in DFV cases?

Answer 20

• Increased risk of homicide.
• Use of children to continue abuse.
• Attempts to turn children against the other parent.
• Continued stalking and harassment.

Question 21

Q21: What is reproductive control in DFV?

Answer 21

Reproductive control includes actions like controlling contraception use, forcing decisions around pregnancy or termination, and restricting the timing or number of children.

Question 22

Q22: How does DFV impact Indigenous women in Australia?

Answer 22

Indigenous women are disproportionately affected, with significantly higher rates of violence compared to non-Indigenous women, exacerbated by systemic inequalities and limited access to culturally sensitive support services.

Question 23

Q23: What are some psychological impacts of gaslighting in DFV?

Answer 23

• Doubting one’s sanity, memory, or perceptions.
• Increased feelings of confusion, helplessness, and self-doubt.
• Long-term emotional and psychological trauma.

Question 24

Q24: What does research suggest about DFV in bisexual women?

Answer 24

Bisexual women experience higher rates of DFV compared to lesbian-identified or heterosexual women, with most perpetrators being male.

Question 25

Q25: What is the significance of the “worried-well” in the context of DFV?

Answer 25

The term refers to individuals who seek support due to stress and fear caused by abuse, even if they are not direct victims. This highlights the widespread psychological impacts of DFV on communities.