Community Development: Analyzing Domestic Violence in Australia

This report analyzes the social problem of domestic violence in Australia, applying community development theories and principles to find a proper change direction and probable evidence-based solutions. The report begins by defining domestic violence and highlighting its prevalence. It then explores the issue through the lens of community development theory, empowerment theory, and positivism. The discussion includes the need for increased awareness, the importance of multi-agency relationships, and the role of research in addressing the issue. The report provides relevant solutions for addressing the issue. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and provides references to support the analysis. The assignment emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities of domestic violence and the application of community development strategies to create positive change.

Running head: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community Development
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References and bibliography...........................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Domestic violence is referred to the acts of violence that are carried out between people
who either have or had any kind of intimate relationship inside domestic settings. These acts can
be inclusive of sexual, physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Defining the types of
violence, the perpetrators and their victims gets complex by means of different forms of family
and intimate relationships and living arrangements that are existent in Australian communities
(Aph.gov.au 2017). In this report, the social problem of domestic violence would be analyzed by
applying different community development theories and principles to find a proper change
direction and probable evidence based solutions.
Discussion
The issue
In Australia, the more pervasive form of violence that are faced by women is the violence
that gets perpetrated by the male intimate partner, mostly known as domestic violence. It must
also be noted that men and same sex relationship partners also face this form of violence. The
major reasons behind domestic violence are complicated with the outcome that there are a lot of
confusion and misinformation mirrored in public debate. However, there exists general
agreement that power imbalances, gender inequality and controlling behaviors inside
relationships which are the main determinants. The attitude of the community in the direction of
domestic violence, sexuality, gender roles and sexual assault has the ability of strongly
influencing both the prevalence of domestic violence and reporting rates. A wide range of
strategies have been put to use for tackling domestic violence in Australia and globally. Even
though majority of the strategies for the prevention of domestic violence have been now going

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on for decades, there still exists a lack of reliable proof as to what is applicable and what is not
(Fisher 2013). Back in 2012, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducted a Personal
Safety Survey which provided the most up to date prevalence estimated in Australia. From the
survey it was found that 41 per cent of women aged 18 years and above, and 49 per cent of men
aged 18 years and above has faced some form of violence from the age of 15. Around 62 per cent
of women in comparison with 8 per cent of men faced their very recent experience of physical
assault at the hands of a male at their home. The report also found that equal proportions of men
and women have shown reluctance in reporting or contacting to the police after their latest
experience of physical assault (Abs.gov.au 2017).
Theories
To understand the importance of solving these issues of domestic violence, the
community development theory can be referred to. The community development theory is the
most practical framework that is used by social workers who are seeking a lasting change for
individuals, societies and communities where they are living. The theory majorly focuses on the
centrality of oppressed people continuing in the procedure of overcoming externally imposed
social issues. This community development theory works as by the mere fact of the description it
has a voice of its own. This theory is adaptable to other disciplines such as neighborhood
development (Green and Haines 2015). The next theory that can work in this context is
empowerment theory, which refers to the knowledge of personal growth and a development in
self-definition which is happening as am outcome of the advancement of proficiencies and
capabilities. One more definition proposes that empowerment is a mixture of initiative, personal
strengths and natural helping systems for bringing in change. This theory is applicable to
community development by means of empowerment of the people inside the community for

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developing their personal communities. This theory has the capability of adapting to other
disciplines too, such as sociology (Peterson 2014). Inside the theory of positivism, the base of
sociology’ claim in the direction of scientific paradigm that measures human attitudes, most of
the times in a decontextualized way and minus concerns for the actual intangible instinctive,
feeling or emotional aspects of being a human. This theory displays a base in dichotomous
thought along with bourgeois philosophy that looks in the direction of empirical science for
being the real source of knowledge. Inside this theory the organizers look at the community as
objects that require dealing with as a part of solving problem. However, the downside of this is
that no thought is provided as to how the community members might be feeling regarding the
issue in hand and the way they might be affected by possible changes. If the issue exists at an
interpersonal level the practitioner would be just looking at the person, deciding what they
require for solving the problem and do not even discuss with them as to the way they are looking
for the change (Halfpenny 2014).
Solution
For solving the issue of domestic violence, the first step would be increasing awareness
regarding domestic violence. Exploration of fear and concerns, providing knowledge and
resources that includes safety planning and referral for local advocacy and support services also
helps (Herman 2015). There is requirement of good multi agency relationships and referral
systems for regular enquiry for enabling safe disclosure and providing further support for the
women in question. There is a need for good mechanisms to be in place for all the staffs for
receiving information, support and advice with the help of different methods like supervision,
ongoing reviews and specialist advice. Domestic violence in itself is an underreported crime and
there needs to be an increase in recording it as an appropriate performance indicator (Groves and

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Thomas 2013). There is a requirement for more research on the use of photographic proof and
the impact it has.
Conclusion
In this report, the social problem of domestic violence was analyzed by applying different
community development theories and principles for finding a proper change direction and
probable evidence based solutions. With the help of community development theory,
empowerment theory and positivism theory, the importance of the community development and
domestic violence as an issues was understood. Based on the severity of the issue, relevant
solutions were provided.

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References and bibliography
Abs.gov.au. 2017. Personal Safety, Australia, 2012. [online] Available at:
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/0556FBD355B2719BCA2
571C50074ABF2?opendocument [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017].
Aph.gov.au. 2017. Domestic violence in Australia—an overview of the issues – Parliament of
Australia. [online] Available at:
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/
pubs/BN/2011-2012/DVAustralia [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017].
Fisher, C., 2013. Changed and changing gender and family roles and domestic violence in
African refugee background communities post-settlement in Perth, Australia. Violence Against
Women, 19(7), pp.833-847.
Green, G.P. and Haines, A., 2015. Asset building & community development. Sage publications.
Groves, N. and Thomas, T., 2013. Domestic violence and criminal justice. Routledge.
Halfpenny, P., 2014. Positivism and Sociology (RLE Social Theory): Explaining Social Life.
Routledge.
Herman, J.L., 2015. Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to
political terror. Hachette UK.
Peterson, N.A., 2014. Empowerment Theory: Clarifying the Nature of Higher‐Order
Multidimensional Constructs. American journal of community psychology, 53(1-2), pp.96-108.