Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behaviour through which a person seeks to control and dominate another person. Apart from physical violence, domestic violence includes sexual, emotional, social, spiritual and economic abuse. Domestic violence is an ongoing behaviour that gradually undermines the victim’s confidence and ability to leave the abusive partner. Domestic violence causes physical and psychological harm to a person.
Around the world, as cities have gone into lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus, the mass efforts to save lives have put one vulnerable group more at risk. Women and children who live with domestic violence have no or much less means of escape from their abusers during quarantine. The victims living with the perpetrators are at a constant risk.
The “Stay at home” would be more like “hell in closed doors” for many and for these victims leaving violent relationships is likely to become far more difficult and dangerous.
While days may seem too long for many of us now, the days are merciless for that encountering domestic violence. The children who got safety and normalcy at school, but who are at home now, being beaten and abused or forced to watch beatings. The horror of the virus is not simply it being toxic but the violent circumstances it creates.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison responded on 29 March 2020 with a promise of A$150million in the form of support for telephone counselling services who address domestic violence, including to 1800 Respect and MensLine. The Prime Minister has acknowledged that for many families, home is not a safe place and more needs to be done to counter the threat.
The law grants police and the courts power to protect persons in need of protection from perpetrators of domestic violence by way of Apprehended Violence Orders or Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders. Breaches of these Orders are a criminal offence and can have serious consequences.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please do not hesitate to contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), LifeLine, 13 11 14, or feel free to contact our offices at 02 8917 8700 to speak to one of our experienced lawyers in domestic and family violence matters.