Are we brave enough to act on the facts?
As individuals, and a society, we all have a responsibility to prevent violence of all types. Perpetrated by anyone, towards anyone.
Since 1863 in Australia, and for over 400 years globally, Good Shepherd’s mission is to tackle the significant issues impacting women, girls and their families. So we’re particularly concerned with, and vocal about, violence perpetrated against women.
Often, when we open a conversation about this topic, it elicits many variations of the following question: “What about men?” So how do we answer this question?
Firstly: Family & domestic violence (FDV) is horrific for anyone experiencing it.
We stand with all victim-survivors.
Family and domestic violence (FDV) is experienced by people of all genders. Sharing the experience of women does not negate this. However we note that FDV is far more prevalent for women than men. (ABS (2021) Personal Safety Survey)
We encourage men to reach out to not-for-profits that specifically support and advocate for men, including Men’s Line, Men’s Shed and Movember.
Good Shepherd also provides programs and services that support people of all genders, including No Interest Loans (loans with 0% interest and no fees or charges), the Financial Independence Hub (supporting people who have experienced the financial impacts of family and domestic violence, including financial abuse, to rebuild and move forward) and Launch Me (coaching to start or revive a small business), among others.
See stats and links below for more info on the prevalence and impacts of family and domestic violence.
Please email us on [email protected] if you have further questions. Thank you for being part of the conversation.
We need to have the courage as individuals and as a society to face these facts:
- 1 in 4 women experienced violence by a partner or family member (27% of women vs. 12% of men) 1
- 1 in 6 women experienced cohabiting partner violence (17% vs. 6%) 1
- 1 in 6 women experienced childhood abuse (18% vs. 11%) 1
- 1 in 6 women was financially abused by a partner (16% vs. 8%) 1
- The majority of FDV is perpetrated by men against women 2
- One woman EVERY WEEK is murdered by an intimate partner 3
- Women are four times more likely then men to be killed by an intimate partner. 4
These women are not just statistics.
They are sisters, daughters, mothers, friends… and even one woman or girl living with the impacts of violence, poverty and instability is too many.
Sources
1Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (FY 2021-22). ‘Personal Safety Survey’
2Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2019). ‘Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia: continuing the national story’
3Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) 2017. ‘National Homicide Monitoring Program’
3Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) 2019. ‘National Homicide Monitoring Program’
Click below for more info from Men’s Line:
https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/experiencing-a-violent-or-abusive-relationship/
Feel free to email us on [email protected] if you have further questions.
You're not alone. There's someone who will listen.
Lifeline
Call 13 11 44 SMS 0477 131 114 lifeline.org.au
1800RESPECT
Financial Independence Hub
Call 1300 050 150 (7a – 7p M-F)