The Andrews Government recently announced that it has completed the implementation of all 227 final recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence (RCFV).
In her announcement of the milestone accomplishment Minister for Family Violence, Ros Spence noted that while implementing the recommendations was a critical step towards reform, work must continue.
“We’ve led the nation in the response to and prevention of family violence with an investment of over $3.7 billion into reforming the family violence system in Victoria.”
“But today isn’t a day for saying ‘well done, the job’s done’, it’s a day of saying “good we’ve now met a major milestone,” she said.
“It’s a day to acknowledge that we’ve done what we said we would do, but there’s so much more that needs to be done.”
Neos Kosmos sought comment from Greek community services organisation PRONIA regarding the issue of family violence in the Hellenic community.
“When we talk about ‘family violence’ there can often be misconception and misunderstanding about what it is,” a counsellor with the organisation explains.
The Victorian Family Violence Protection Act 2008 describes family violence as ‘behaviour by a person towards a family member which is physically, sexually, emotionally or psychologically abusive.’
This includes threatening, or coercive behaviours, or any which seek to control or dominate a family member, which cause that person to fear for their safety and wellbeing or that of another person.
It is important to note that elder abuse is family violence.
“The Act does not make distinctions about the age of victim-survivors or perpetrators of violence,” the counsellor notes
“People with additional needs, such as older people who may have health conditions or mobility restrictions can be more vulnerable to family violence”
“Older people can be neglected, forced into isolation or abused physically, financially and/or psychologically, all of which constitute family violence.”
The Act recognises family violence as a violation of human rights.
“Women and children can experience family violence in the same way,” they add.
“Children who may overhear acts of violence or see their mother with bruises; children who don’t have enough to eat, or are afraid for their own safety, or that of their mother are also victims of family violence.”
Highlighting that “children who are exposed to family violence experience long term emotional, psychological and social trauma.”
“Family violence is very much present in our community,” the counsellor continues “and unfortunately still goes unreported or under-reported, largely because of the stigma associated with it.”
They say a victim’s fear of what neighbours, friends and family may say or think remains a deterrent in reporting perpetrators and note that this is seen even in second generation adults who may be influenced by elders to remain silent.
“Often this comes from elders’ own personal experience, to not say anything, to be more obedient, to not provoke… hoping that the situation will change or improve.”
The counsellor says that cultural stigma and attitudes which normalise (or accept) violence add an additional layer of difficulty in the process of accessing support.
“We are however seeing a gradual shift in this, with more women coming forward, largely due to a lot of awareness work PRONIA is doing in conjunction with specialist organisations.”
They say that women will often come to the organisation (which offers bilingual services) even if they are fluent in English, owing to the cultural sensitivity their service offers.
The organisation’s yearly findings for the 2021-22 period show that in that time PRONIA assisted 54 clients who were experiencing family violence; and responded to 114 calls for crisis intervention.
A statement provided to Neos Kosmos by PRONIA states that in the Greek community, family violence is considered a sensitive and “hard to discuss topic.”
One which often remains in the shadows unless divulged unanimously.
“Perceptions of family violence in the Greek community are strongly embedded and stem from old patriarchal stereotypes which were used to promote male dominance,” it reads.
It details how most victim-survivors who reach out to PRONIA for support prefer not to report the matter to police, but rather pursue support for behavioural change of the perpetrator and family mediation.
In addition, victim-survivors that contact PRONIA often prefer not to reveal personal information due to community perceptions.
The statement notes that older female victims of abuse perpetrated by first degree relatives, usually their children; often do not wish to report instances of abuse.
This may be due to fears of retaliation; a sense of helplessness due to financial dependence; or even out of a concern for abusive children struggling with addiction.
Circumstances such as these can lead to victim-survivors attempting to justify their abuser’s actions.
“If I kick him out of home, he will end up on the street,” PRONIA provides as an anecdotal example of this.
According to peak body for specialist family violence services, Safe and Equal, one woman is killed every week because of family violence in Australia.
In Victoria, police attendance at incidents of family violence has increased four per cent each year since 2018, with children present in 30 per cent of all incidents attended.
The Royal Commission was established in 2015 after several family violence related deaths in Victoria, most notably the death of Luke Batty on 12 February 2014.
Its full report, delivered to the Victorian Government in March 2016 found that existing programs in the state were not able to:
Reduce the frequency and impact of violence; prevent violence through early intervention; support victim survivors; hold perpetrators to account for their actions or coordinate community and government services.
According to reports provided to the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) by Ambulance Victoria, between 2021 and 2022 it recorded 453 cases of violence against adults perpetrated by a partner or spouse.
Over the same period, it reported 61 instances of violence against children perpetrated by a parent or guardian.
In addition, 60 cases of parents suffering family violence at the hands of their child were reported.
CSA notes that a perpetrator’s relationship to a patient is not a mandatory field for paramedics to record; therefore, the reported figures are not comprehensive.
The nature of family violence means that it can often be difficult for victims to reach out for support.
Experiences of family violence have dramatic and multi-layered impacts not only on the life, health and interpersonal relationships of the person experiencing it; but also on the community at large.
While family violence can and does affect all people, women and children are impacted disproportionately.
If you or anyone you know needs help contact:
– 1800 Respect national helpline www.1800respect.org.au or on 1800 737 732
– PRONIA on 03 9388 9998
– Safe Steps crisis response line www.safesteps.org.au or on 1800 015 188
– Men’s Referral Service via ntv.org.au/get-help or on 1300 766 491
– Relationships Australia via www.relationships.org.au or on 1300 364 277