Put a stop to men’s violence against women – AMA

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male-led campaign to end men’s violence against women. Its vision is that “All women live in safety free from all forms of men's violence”, and its mission is “Making women's safety a man's issue too”.

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said today that too many women in Australia experience some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes.

“Across Australia, it is estimated that more than half the total population of women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes,” A/Prof Owler said.

“This rate is even higher in some communities, in particular among women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

“Studies show a clear link between domestic violence and poor physical and mental health.

“For example, a study by VicHealth determined that domestic violence is the leading factor contributing to death, disability, and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44.

“The most prevalent effect is on mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse.

“Domestic violence is also associated with poor physical health, including injury, somatic disorders, chronic disorders and chronic pain, gastro-intestinal disorders, gynaecological problems, and increased risk of sexually-transmitted infections.

“This is unacceptable for a sophisticated nation like Australia,” A/Prof Owler said.

The AMA wants all Australian governments to pursue the measures in the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, so that Australian women and their children can truly live their lives free from violence and in safe communities.

The National Plan aims to achieve “a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children”, with a focus on the two main types of violent crimes that have a major impact on women in Australia – domestic and family violence, and sexual assault.

The desired national outcomes of the National Plan include that:

• communities are safe and free from violence;
• relationships are respectful;
• Indigenous communities are strengthened;
• services meet the needs of women and their children experiencing violence;
• justice responses are effective; and
• perpetrators stop their violence and are held to account.

In March this year, the AMA released the AMA Position Statement on Women’s Health 2014, which contains a section on violence against women.

The Position Statement is available at https://ama.com.au/position-statement/womens-health

Background (from the White Ribbon website)

• Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.
• A woman is most likely to be killed by her male partner in her home.
• Domestic and family violence is the principal cause of homelessness for women and their children.
• One in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them.
• One in four children are exposed to domestic violence, which is a recognised form of child abuse.
• One in five women experience harassment within the workplace.
• One in five women over 18 has been stalked during her lifetime.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence or sexual assault, get help by contacting your family doctor or by calling:

·         000 - if you, a child, or another person is in immediate danger

·         1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732

·         Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277

·         Mensline – 1300 789 978

25 November 2014

CONTACT:        John Flannery                     02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                            Odette Visser                      02 6270 5412 / 0407 726 905

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