Family Violence as a Social Issue: Context, Strategies, and Policies

This essay provides an overview of family violence as a significant social issue in Australia. It defines family violence, explores its historical context, and discusses the complexities surrounding the issue, including deeply held beliefs about masculinity and the tendency for perpetrators to blame external factors. The essay highlights the World Health Organization's recognition of violence against women and children as a global public health concern and notes that in Australia, this issue affects all ages, cultures, and socio-economic groups, with women being disproportionately affected. It identifies strategies, programs, and policies implemented by local governments, such as the City of Casey's partnership with Victoria Police to regulate alcohol licensing, to address the issue. The conclusion emphasizes that family violence remains a major problem, exacerbated by factors like unemployment and financial insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and references online resources, books, and journals for further information.

Family Violence
By:

Introduction
Social issue can be referred to as the
problem which mainly affects the large
group of people within society. It is
basically the group of common issues in
the current day society and the people who
are being affected are its mass victims.

Definition
Family violence is the broader term which
mainly refers to the violence between the
members of the family that includes
violence between the former or current
intimate partners, violence between the
child and parent, among siblings, and
many others.

History Overview of the Issue
Society has a perception that family is relatively the safe place, safe harbour and the place of the care and
sustenance. Regrettably, this opinion of the families is idealised, and far often, the families have become the
source of violence and maltreatment. There has been very little agreement as to what exactly constitutes the
family violence as it mainly occurs behind the closed door and is often unnoticed, hidden as well as ignored.
There are different data sources which provide the sense of scope of problem such as monitoring number of
criminal assault, while some other records number of homicides. With the rise of computers and governmental
organizations, there are different electronic databases being created which track the family violence.

Current Context of the Issue
● Why do you think that the issue is complex?
The causes of the family violence mainly include the deeply held opinions
and beliefs which are about the masculinity. The perpetrators mainly blame
other people, or circumstance or alcohol for the violent outburst and they
often reduce and blames others. The man who is being undergoing the
counselling for its violent behaviour requires to recognise that the regaining
of the trust of its family shall take time and its partner has the right to bring
end to its relationship if she/ he wants.

Outline the Discourse in which the Issue is
Discussed
The World Health Organization have described the level of the violence which
is being experienced by the women as well as children as the global public
health issues and demands urgent action against it. In Australia, this issue is
found in all ages, cultures as well as socio-economic groups but majority of
whom this issue is faced is women. The information on this violence is found
through surveys and Australian Bureau of Statistics have found that many
women and men experiences encounter with the violence in its lifetime.

Identification of Strategies, Programs &
Policies to Address the Issue
The local government is in the unique position of having the enormous
influence, reach as well as access to the local community. For example, the
City of Casey have partnered with the local Victoria police in order to regulate
the licensing of alcohol as the locality is facing high level of the alcohol related
behaviour which includes family violence. The local government is working
with six different councils, welfare groups and police to advocate the changing
licensing legislations so that social impact of alcohol can be minimised and be
considered in the planning application.

Conclusion
It is concluded from this PPT that family violence is the major social issue
which is prevailing in Australia. There are different plans and policies framed
by the Australian government which helps in reducing the cases of it. This issue
has the historical context but the number of cases relating to this issue has seen
a significant rise during the pandemic of covid-19. This has mainly been due to
many factors such as unemployment, financial insecurity, etc.

References
Online
● Domestic violence soars in Australia, 2020 [Online]
Available Through
https://
www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/01/the-worst-year-domestic-viole
nce-soars-in-australia-during-covid-19
Books and Journals
● Gelles, R. J., & Straus, M. A. (2017). The medical and psychological costs
of family violence. In
Physical violence in American families (pp. 425-
430). Routledge.