Hearing from Amanda Gearing, PhD on Friday speak about the work she has been doing, and continues to do, to identify the concerning behaviours which are classified as coercive control was immensely helpful, particularly for use in practice given many victims are not aware themselves that they are being coercively controlled.
The Australian Family Lawyers Australian Relationships Report also identifies some reasons why domestic violence may be something third parties, or even victims themselves, are unaware of until the right questions are asked.
"Many prevalent misconceptions about domestic violence normalise abusive behaviours and dissuade victims from seeking help. One in five Australians believe that violence is a normal reaction to daily stress (20%), and that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry that he hits her without meaning to (21%). Some even blame the victims of abuse for not leaving, with 32% of Australians believing that those who stay with violent partners are in part responsible for ongoing violence. In reality, many victims are scared for themselves and for their children, and the perpetrators’ tendency to isolate their victims from support networks instils them with a feeling of helplessness."
For practitioners, Dr Gearing's article titled 'What is coercive control? These are the concerning behaviours' is a great analysis of the behaviours to listen out for.
https://lnkd.in/gMhYRt5S
For anyone impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800-RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au who offer 24-hour support services.
Thank you to Dr Gearing for sharing your work with the legal profession and to Nathan Laing and French Quarter Chambers and Mediation Centre for arranging Dr Gearing's presentation.
The Australian Family Lawyers Australian Relationships Report also identifies some reasons why domestic violence may be something third parties, or even victims themselves, are unaware of until the right questions are asked.
"Many prevalent misconceptions about domestic violence normalise abusive behaviours and dissuade victims from seeking help. One in five Australians believe that violence is a normal reaction to daily stress (20%), and that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry that he hits her without meaning to (21%). Some even blame the victims of abuse for not leaving, with 32% of Australians believing that those who stay with violent partners are in part responsible for ongoing violence. In reality, many victims are scared for themselves and for their children, and the perpetrators’ tendency to isolate their victims from support networks instils them with a feeling of helplessness."
For practitioners, Dr Gearing's article titled 'What is coercive control? These are the concerning behaviours' is a great analysis of the behaviours to listen out for.
https://lnkd.in/gMhYRt5S
For anyone impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800-RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au who offer 24-hour support services.
Thank you to Dr Gearing for sharing your work with the legal profession and to Nathan Laing and French Quarter Chambers and Mediation Centre for arranging Dr Gearing's presentation.