Domestic Violence in Australia - Research Proposal Example

Introduction: Domestic Violence - A major dilemma faced by women around the globe, has different legal definitions in different countries. In Australia as well, there are specific activities adopted by government and organization which protects women from domestic violence and provide them with various intervention and Safe Home provisions. “Domestic violence can occur in many forms and can affect people of any age.” (What is domestic violence? n.d.). It can be in the form of physical, emotional, economic, social and spiritual disturbance and throbbing. There has been a wide spread intervention on such problems with keen observation to protect them from any harm in future. The paper deals with topics linked to Safe Homes provided for battered women in Australia. To achieve a success in the proposed investigation, an abundant choice of literature available on the topic was identified and studied. Literature Review: The intervention programs are arranged including emergency hide outs, women assistance after police intervention, special victims services linked to diverse languages etc. When looking into the problems of women facing domestic violence is regarding their living place. Safety becomes a major concern and hence many organizations; both governmental and non profit units have come up with provisions and services for this matter. BBC News, Sydney reported in February 2, 2009 that “the first refuge for domestic violence victims has opened in Australias Northern Territory, and is designed to help vulnerable Aboriginal women.” (Mercer, 2009). (Mercer, 2009). Safe Homes are shelters for women who can never hope for a secure help from any others. The victims undergoing legal formalities are more prone to insecure situations. “The safe house aims to be a circuit-breaker to give sanctuary to vulnerable women in small communities where they have few places to seek help.” (Mercer, 2009). Cathy Huddleston says that this turned out to be a relief for battered women to live in safety with no fear of violence. There have been many admissions to this refuge owing to domestic violence in the aboriginal areas of Australia. Joblessness, economic deficiencies and addictions and at times abnormalities lead to domestic violence. It is a fact that a victim of such tortures and brutalities will obviously have physical, emotional and psychological disturbances. An outlying anxiety of further abuse will be present in the victims that can lead to bigger complications in the future. The prerequisite to get out of the traumatic situations is a safe and peaceful existence for the victims. The Australian refuge centres ensure that all the inhabitants are safe and comfortable. A lofty interest about this matter in the national level gave way to the establishment of Safe Homes across the country. The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) and University of Melbourne together has launched an organization that provides help and shade for women in need. The year 1973 came up with the start of revolution in this field. “Elsie Womens Refuge was the first refuge set up in Australia for women and children escaping a violent home who had nowhere to sleep. The refuge offered advice and assistance in relation to the legal, welfare and health systems.” (Elsie women’s refuge (1973-), 2010). The concept of Safe Homes gave a vague estimate on the large groups of battered women who are in need of protection. This was followed by the opening of about 300 such homes by the year of 1999. The increased number of launches of refuges for battered women can be evident from the words of Jenny Craig who stated in a book named “The Jenny Craig story: how one woman changes millions of lives” by marking the year as 1985. She spoke about the people in Australia and the societal experiences. “We opened five safe houses across the country for battered women and children” she claimed. (Craig, 2004, p.116). This shows up a fact linked to refuges in Australia that national interest for those is very high owing to the security they offer to the weaker sections of the society. Another well-known refuge in proving secure hideouts for exalted women and children in Australia is the Refuge House. “Families come to the Refuge House when they have no other safe housing option.” (Emergency shelter, n.d.). The specialities of their emergency shelters include the provisions for counselling, caring and administration. The main area can accommodate 50 women and children which they give for a period of 45 days. A separate supportive section is there with a capacity to allocate space for 20 women and children. Their provisions does not limit on just facilitating a place to sleep and eat securely. They are given assistance in achieving strength of mind to traverse from what has happened and get into productive and successful living. Unique strategies are provided for the children of such women to recover from fear and ambiguity. The provisions of food, clothing, sheets and medicines are given for the inhabitants. Exactly this is a non profit organization and so activities they perform is all based on humanity and betterment of society perspectives. For the wellbeing and protection of the people at Refuge House, an exact site and setting is kept not to be disclosed. The support from the law and order wing makes every activity in a safe and comfortable manner. Salvation Army, as name indicates, brings about salvation to the harmed minds of battered women and their children. The organization discovers contentment in finding the revival and renovations in such women and their offspring. “If you are a woman who is experiencing domestic violence, homelessness or some other personal crisis, The Salvation Army may be able to assist you.” (Women’s refugees, 2010). Similar to Refuge House people, the Salvation army finds their strategies concentrated on the overall expansion of peace and security at the intellectual level itself. Proper counselling and other activities to enhance the state of mind for making them capable to remove all pains of suffering from their minds and get involved in life to achieve new domains of development and expansion. A place to new dreams is their objective to make the refugees at their homes. Army is accommodating battered women and children in various places throughout Australia about which all information and kept off the record. The lodgings provided are under two schemes of urgency and average terms. The entire activities offered are based on the values and teachings of Lord Jesus. It gives a firm support of spiritual offerings to the victims. Each entry will get a Personal Case Manager who will assist in every necessity with respect to any personal aspects including emotional, intellectual, physical, economic etc. Food and other immediate provisions are made available along with a training that includes counselling and enlightenment to procure autonomous existence in future. Children are supplied with extreme care and help to remove all hurt and pain from their intellects. Special needs are met in ultimate urgency and concern. Conclusion: The paper had gone through various provisions of Safe Homes and emergency centres in Australia to support battered women and children so that they will never be deprived of their rights of life as human beings. The objective of such refuges is to provide care, compassion and affection to women and children who are caught in the trauma of violence. In the contemporary age, it is said that women are strong and can withstand violence. But the factuality of the domestic brutality remains intact. The prevailing scenario related to battered women and children urge the importance of motels of safety and amity. Australian organizations mentioned above will not cover the entire mission within the nation; however their provisions are far beyond the hopes of a soul in distress. Reference List Craig, J. (2004). The Jenny Craig story: How one woman changes millions of lives. John Wiley and Sons, p.116. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://books.google.co.in/books?id=fdaUm724KlgC&pg=PA116&dq=safe+homes+for+battered+women+australia&hl=en&ei=m6mlS72tK82yrAf2xf3CCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false Elsie women’s refuge (1973-). (2010). The Australian Women’s Register. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0018b.htm Emergency shelter. (n.d.). Refuge House. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www.refugehouse.com/services_shelter.html Mercer, P. (2009). Safe house for abused aborigines. BBC News. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7864991.stm What is domestic violence? (n.d.) Reachout.com. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/domestic-violence#toc-what-is-domestic-violence Women’s refugees. (2010). The Salvation Army. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://salvos.org.au/need-help/refuge-and-accommodation/womens-refuges.php Read More