Introduction
Domestic violence is a serious social problem that affects millions of Australians, especially women and children. It involves physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial abuse by a current or former intimate partner or family member. Domestic violence can have devastating consequences for the victims, their families and the community, such as physical injury, mental health issues, homelessness, poverty and death.
Domestic violence proceedings are legal actions taken by victims or perpetrators of domestic violence, or by the state on their behalf, to seek protection, justice or compensation. These proceedings can include applying for or responding to domestic violence orders (DVOs), reporting or prosecuting criminal offences, seeking family law orders or accessing civil remedies.
This essay will examine the statistical deviation in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last 10 years, using data from various sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). It will analyse the trends and patterns of domestic violence proceedings across different jurisdictions, types and outcomes, and discuss the possible factors and implications behind them.
Trends and patterns of domestic violence proceedings
According to the ABS Personal Safety Survey (PSS) 2016, an estimated 2.2 million Australians aged 18 and over (11.6% of women and 4.7% of men) had experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or previous partner since the age of 15. This was a slight decrease from 2.5 million (12.4% of women and 5.3% of men) in 2005. However, the proportion of women who experienced emotional abuse from a current or previous partner increased from 22.8% in 2005 to 25.1% in 2016 (ABS 2017a).
The PSS also found that only a minority of victims reported their experiences of partner violence to the police or sought legal advice or assistance. In 2016, among those who experienced physical assault by a partner in the last 12 months, only 23% of women and 16% of men reported it to the police. Among those who experienced sexual assault by a partner in the last 12 months, only 18% of women and 10% of men reported it to the police. Among those who experienced emotional abuse by a partner in the last 12 months, only 7% of women and 4% of men sought legal advice or assistance (ABS 2017a).
However, other sources indicate that there has been an increase in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last decade, especially in relation to DVOs and criminal offences. According to the AIHW Family, domestic and sexual violence data in Australia report, there were more than 1 million DVOs issued across Australia between 2010–11 and 2019–20, with an average annual increase of 4%. The number of DVOs issued per year ranged from about 80,000 to over 120,000 across jurisdictions, with Queensland having the highest number and rate of DVOs issued (AIHW 2022).
Similarly, according to the AIC National Homicide Monitoring Program report, there were more than 1,000 domestic violence-related homicides recorded across Australia between 2008–09 and 2017–18, with an average annual increase of 1%. The number of domestic violence-related homicides per year ranged from about 80 to over 120 across jurisdictions, with New South Wales having the highest number and rate of domestic violence-related homicides (AIC 2020).
Moreover, according to the ABS Recorded Crime – Victims report, there were more than 2 million victims of domestic violence-related offences recorded across Australia between 2010 and 2019, with an average annual increase of 3%. The number of victims of domestic violence-related offences per year ranged from about 180,000 to over 240,000 across jurisdictions, with Tasmania having the highest proportion and rate of victims of domestic violence-related offences (ABS 2020a).
Factors and implications behind the statistical deviation
The statistical deviation in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last decade may be influenced by various factors, such as:
- Changes in legislation, policy and practice that affect how domestic violence is defined, reported, recorded and responded to by different agencies and systems.
- Changes in social awareness, attitudes and behaviours that affect how domestic violence is perceived, experienced and disclosed by victims and perpetrators.
- Changes in demographic characteristics and risk factors that affect how domestic violence is distributed and manifested among different groups and communities.
The statistical deviation in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last decade may have various implications, such as:
- Indicating the extent and nature of domestic violence in Australia and its impact on individuals, families and society.
- Informing the development and evaluation of strategies and interventions to prevent, reduce and respond to domestic violence in Australia.
- Highlighting the gaps and challenges in data collection, analysis and dissemination on domestic violence in Australia.
Conclusion
The statistical deviation in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last decade shows a mixed picture of the prevalence and trends of domestic violence in Australia. While some sources suggest a slight decline in the proportion of Australians who experience partner violence, other sources indicate an increase in the number and rate of domestic violence proceedings, especially in relation to DVOs and criminal offences. These variations may reflect the influence of various factors, such as legislative, policy, social and demographic changes, as well as the limitations of data availability and quality. The statistical deviation in domestic violence proceedings in Australia over the last decade has important implications for understanding and addressing domestic violence as a major health, welfare and social issue in Australia.