Domestic Violence in Queensland in the 21st Century - Research Paper Example

Name ***************************** Institution : xx xxxxxxxxxxx Domestic violence in Queensland in the 21st century : Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Executive summary 3 Introduction 4 Scope 4 Hypotheses 5 Literature Review 5 Methodology 9 Findings / Results 9 Evaluation of Text 10 Discussion 12 Conclusion and recommendation 12 References 13 Executive summary The primary objective of the entire report was to establish whether there has been an increase or a decrease in the cases of domestic violence. The findings have has been able to point out a few issues regarding the state of domestic violence in Queensland. First and foremost, the report has established that the state of Queensland has experienced a significant reduction in the number of domestic violence cases being reported to the police. Over the last decade or so the focus of tackling this problem has had to be more comprehensive, this has lead to a reduction in the number of cases of domestic violence. Educating the masses on matters pertaining to violence and ways of tackling them has also ensured that the number of reported cases remain low. Lastly the report establishes that the native Australians are more affected by the problem more than the non natives. The methodology adopted in order to come up with these findings was the use of secondary data derived from research materials, government publications, journals and statistics facts from established sources such as the police and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Introduction According to the Australian Institute of Health and welfare, domestic violence is a pattern of behavior characterized by the misuse of power and control by one person over another. Research studies have shown that domestic abuse or violence literally affects all social classes whether remote or urban, disadvantaged or wealthy with an equal measure. Having signed the Universal Declaration on Human rights and the United Nations declaration on the elimination of violence against women and children, the Australian government and in that case the Queensland government has committed itself in enabling all people especially women and children live their lives free from incidences of domestic violence. Even amidst these declarations and commitments it is important to note that human rights issues especially those of women and children have had to pass through many challenges over the years so as to reach where they are today. This report will try to determine whether we have made progress after having signed the universal declaration on human rights and have passed several laws in parliament against violence. Even more important it tries to establish whether the incidences of domestic violence have increased or reduced in Queensland at the 21stcentury Scope This report will focus mainly on the progression of domestic violence over the last thirteen years or so. The findings will mainly come from secondary sources such as literature reviews, research citations, peer reviews and even statics drawn from reliable government sources. Hypotheses Has the number of domestic violence cases reduced or increased in Queensland over the last 13 years? Literature Review Domestic violence in Queensland Domestic Findings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics crime and safety survey results carried out in the year 2002, reveal that fewer cases of battery are reported and responded to by the police as compared to the actual victims of abuse. In Queensland alone, 500 victims who had in the past undergone domestic violence were surveyed. The victims were both men and women from 15-55 years. From these findings we note that 25% of the women who were abused did not report the cases to the police. Some of the respondents in this survey said that they feared retaliation from their spouses or boyfriends; while others simply wanted the relationship to continue, the third group felt that the criminal justice prosecution especially on gender based violence were not worth the cost to the victim. In addition, the study also observed that in the 25% of the reported cases, to the police, it is mainly the victim’s family, neighbor or friends who did report the incident and not the victim (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2002). Still from these findings in which men were also surveyed, the findings reveal that out of the 150 men interviewed in Queensland, 30%, of them admitted that they had at one time or another been victims of gender violence from their girl friends or spouses. However, very few, 10% reported these cases to the police. Most of those interviewed felt stigmatized reporting to the police such matters citing the shame it would bring to their reputation. The survey also revealed that there were slightly more native men that are the non native men who were abused by their wives, the latter phenomena of the findings indicate that this could be attributed to the culture or socialization of the people (Australia Bureau of Statistics, 2002). The International Violence Against Women (IVAWS), Australian component also carried out surveys in 2002. They gave an insight about the real prevalence e of domestic violence as was being experienced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with a special interest in Queensland. Research conducted by Mouzos and Makkai (2004) using data from the same source revealed several issues of concern. In the survey telephone interviews were done for females between the ages of 18-69. 6,677 women participated in the study out of which 92(1.4%) were Aborigines or Torres Islanders. Most of the natives surveyed had phone access and could speak English. Two questions asked during the survey were: First, what was their experience in the last 12 months of violence directed at them; secondly they were asked about their experience of violence in their life time Findings of the study; On the first question, 20% of the native women confirmed that at one time in their lifetime they were physically abused compared to7% of non indigenous women. 12% of the native women confirmed that they at one time had reported on sexual violence directed towards them compared to 4%of the non indigenous women. 25% of the natives women reported any violence as compared to 10% of the non native o On the second question, 66% of the native women reported physical abuse, compared to 10% of their non native counterparts. 32% of the original inhabitants went to the police to report on sexual violence compared to 34% of the non original inhabitants. 71% of the Aboriginal and islander women reported any violence directed towards them compared to 57% of their counterparts. Mouzos and Makkai (2004) also evaluated data derived from the National Homicide Monitoring Programme (NHMP). He noted that in 20% of all homicides committed by the natives were committed by the female, while in slightly fewer than 75% of these cases; the victim was a male intimate partner. In summary he noted that the native women were responsible for 10% of all the non native homicide cases where in 44% of the cases were the victims of a female offender. Records from the Queensland police service reveal that during the year 2005-2006, one hundred and twelve (112) homicide cases were committed. From the latter, 29% of the cases were committed by the indigenous Australians (Queensland Police Service, 2006). A survey trying to see the correlation between drug use patterns in Queensland in relation to the rising incidences of child abuse and neglect cases was conducted by the National Child Protection Clearing house in between the year 2002-2003.Out of the 30,000 children above 12 years that were surveyed using computer assisted telephone interviews, 40% were living with parents who were abusing drugs. Of the latter case, most were doing poor socially. This survey also showed that most of the children living in such homes had a high probability of witnessing domestic violence and dropping out f school as compared to their counterparts whose parents were not abusing any drug (NCCP, 2004). Heather and Lee (2002), in their research have established that men are primarily responsible for most of the acts of violence against their spouses. In their findings, they try to illustrate the importance of criminalizing domestic violence by adhering to the already established family violence and protection act, 1989. They point out for example that in most of the cases reported by women to the police, investigations are hardly done and when done the findings are unsatisfactory since very few if any are charges instigated or laid against the perpetrators of the crime. In their findings, they noted that its only21% of the offenders in the year 2000 who were found culpable and imprisoned for acts of domestic violence. Many of the offenders 58% to be specific were just but small fines or asked to compensate for the damages, 19% were asked to do community work and a paltry 2% were set free without any penalty. The findings by Lee and Heather were similarly echoed by Criminal Justice Commission of Queensland (1995) who in their findings on the former claims put forward by lee and his co pointed out that many women suffer in silence while being abused because they feared retribution from their spouses in case they reported these cases to the authority. Some did this with the belief that they were trying to keep the family together for the sake of children. The findings of the commission also pointed a blaming finger to the police. The police defense on their argued that there is often lack of evidence and even witnesses especially in cases involving stalking and sexual offenses that happen in homes. Most police cite lack of evidence as the core reason for not willing to pursue such criminal cases. Many police officers also consider domestic violent crimes to be ‘less sexy’ as compared to capturing a burglar and so they don’t pursue them as enthusiastically as the later cases (Criminal Justice Commission, 1995). Methodology The methodology of the study is mainly drawn from secondary sources that include government documents, research and policy papers which have already been well documented. The data used is reliable in the sense that they all came from reliable sources. The second reason for adopting the option of using secondary data is because it is less expensive as compared to using primary sources. Primary sources such as the use of interviews and questioners require more costs as compared to secondary sources. Thirdly, secondary sources are direct and lastly less time is consumed in coming up with a conclusion as compared to using primary sources. Findings / Results This paper has been able to establish that even though there has been a decrease over the years of incidences of domestic violence, this has more or less happened to people who are non indigenous. The research establishes that compared to the whole population as a whole, the ratio of indigenous people affected with this issue relative to the non indigenous people is quite high. It also points out that women and children are more vulnerable and so need more protection. The issue of reliability regarding statistical information is always put to doubt especially when it comes from an unreliable secondary source. Even though this research was primarily drawn from the latter source, it has some level of validity because all the sources that have been quoted come from very reliable sources. Evaluation of Text The above statistics point a very sobering picture over the state of domestic violence in Queensland’s communities. It is however important to note at this point that some measures are being taken by the various stakeholders involved in ensuring that this problem is drastically reduced so as to have a better society. Stewart (2001), points out that it is high time that a ‘one size fits it all’ criminal justice response is set up. This she says is because of the changing nature of the perpetrators. In her research findings she noted for example that when the perpetrators were found in a particular area for example at the work they tended to transfer their violent activities to other victims for example the unemployed. Still on the same point she pointed out that there was need to understand the needs and the setting of the victims and the different types of perceptions people have towards domestic violence. Stewart (2001) also points out the fact that the police have to be trained and supported in a wide range of options they can employ in solving issues relating to domestic violence. She suggests for example that if the police would be trained in recognizing and identifying the needs of victims they should be able to at times to direct the perpetrator or the victim to an appropriate agency or programme for help. Homel (2009) states in his research findings that adequate prevention of crime comes about as a direct consequence of access to knowledge for the control of crime, the reverse he notes is also true. In support of his arguments he makes the following observations: Crime prevention requires tools and instruments. All stakeholders should therefore be properly equipped and trained to deal with the problem. Crime prevention requires technical skills and competencies. So as to handle the victims in a more humane way, all stakeholders need training to be more professional in the way they handle the victims. Of domestic violence Crime prevention requires tools and instruments. Equipping the stakeholders for example the police with vehicles for instance so as to report in a crime scene on time. Crime prevention is not just a duty of the police and the children department for example but the whole society. Crime prevention should be synchronized with other areas of prevention like diagnosis. It should be an integral part of economic and political development Homel is quick to note however that a comprehensive approach needs to be adopted by Australia and in that case Queensland so as have a home grown solution to the problems affecting us. He says for example that there is clear need for strategic technical assistance for the dissemination of professional assistance to the victims of crime, prime prevention and for enhancement of a crime prevention work force (Homel, 2009). Discussion Domestic violence should be dealt with strongly. No man, woman, or child should suffer in the hands of another person. Proper legislation of this issue should not just be in paper but also in real tangible actions. From this particular study it can be noted that, although the statistical evidence give an indication that there has been a decline in the level of domestic violence in Queensland. Nevertheless, the vice still continues. Consequently, people need to be educated on their rights and responsibilities as citizens so that they can know how to deal with this problem. It is important to note also that all stakeholders including the communities should be actively involved in tackling this problem, in so doing the problem can be drastically reduced. Conclusion and recommendation This paper has been able to establish that domestic violence is a reality in Queensland affecting all communities. Even though there are communities which are more affected by the scourge, the research findings have established that more needs to be done by the government and all the stakeholders involved including the communities in order to manage this problem. The paper has also established that every people and community are unique on their own, as a result there is need to come up with a more comprehensive approach or rather a home grown solution to our problems. References Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1996, Women’s Safety: Cat No4128.0: Gov Canberra Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2002, crime and safety survey, ABS. Australian institute of Health and welfare 2006 Statistics on the Aborigine community report on domestic violence. Gov :Abs. Australian Institute of Health and welfare, 2006. Statistics on family Violence. Gov :Abs. Criminal Justice commission of Queensland 1995. A snapshot of crime in Queensland. Government press. Family Violence Protection Act, 1989. Homel, P, 2009, Australia’s National Research and Knowledge Centre on crime and Justice. Australian Institute of Criminology :Aus Gov. Heather, D and Lee , G,2002, The decriminalization of domestic violence: possibilities for reform, Expanding Our Horizons” Conference, Sydney. Mouzos and Makkai, 2004Family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Oxford: Hart publishing. Stewart, A, 2001, Policing Domestic Violence: Journal on an overview of emerging issues. Griffith :Queensland. Steering Committee on for the review of government service provision (2005) Statistics on the cases of hospitalization due to assault. Gov: Government press. Queensland Police Service , 2006, Homicide Records . Read More