Social Problems in Australia Report 2022

Running head: SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN AUSTRALIA 1
Social Problems in Australia
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SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN AUSTRALIA 2
Introduction
Community development refers to the process where agencies and individuals come
together to take appropriate actions on matters affecting the society (Straza, 2017). The main
focus of community development is to improve the quality of community life (Straza, 2017). In
practice, community development entails public agencies and communities working together to
improve community services and the way decisions are made within the community (Straza,
2017). It solely relies on equality, social justice, respect for diversity and values of human rights
(Straza, 2017). This report aims at discussion domestic violence as one of the current social
problems in Australia, with reference to relevant theories and principles of community
development. The report will also propose recommendations that can help to address this issue at
the policy and practice level.
Social Problem in Australia
A social problem is any behavior or condition that has adverse effects on large numbers
of people within a community. Domestic violence is one of the current social problems in
Australia which needs to be addressed (Stubbs & Wangmann, 2017). It entails a behavior where
one of the partners in an intimate relationship tries to harm the other partner either physically or
psychologically (Owen & Carrington, 2015; Roberts, Chamberlain & Delfabbro, 2015).
Intimidation, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical assault, threats of violence and economic
deprivation are some of the various forms in which domestic violence is exhibited in Australia
(Stubbs & Wangmann, 2017). Although this social problem is more prevalent in certain groups
such as indigenous communities, this social problem affects all cultural groups and geographical
areas (Stubbs & Wangmann, 2017).

SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN AUSTRALIA 3
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 3 million individuals in
Australia have been victims of domestic violence (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,
2019). However, it is difficult to come up with a true estimate of the people affected by
domestic violence in Australia because most of these incidences go unreported (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) several
females who are physically assaulted by their spouses do not report it to the police (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019. The problem of domestic violence has had far-reaching
consequences both on the perpetrators, victims as well as their family members (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). The problem predominantly affects women and children
in Australia (Stubbs & Wangmann, 2017). The lifelong impacts of domestic violence call for
appropriate measures to enable the community to address this social problem (Stubbs &
Wangmann, 2017).
Relevant Theories and Principles
Several theories shed light on the social problem of domestic violence. One of the
theories is the feminist theory (Smith, 2017). This theory claims that females are considered
vulnerable beings both socially, politically, and economically (Smith, 2017). Because of the
vulnerable nature of women, the feminist theory argues that they are unable to defend themselves
in case of violence (Smith, 2017). The feminist approach does not rely on the assumption that
domestic violence is influenced by stress, anger, behavioral or mental problems or substance
abuse. Rather, it argues that males perpetrate violence against females as a way of exercising
their power and control over women (Smith, 2017). The model focuses on providing help to
perpetrators of domestic violence by helping them to change their perceptions they must
dominate and have control over their spouses.