|
NEWS RELEASE
July 10 2001
The
full face of domestic violence –
UniSA launches new research unit
More
complex and pervasive than we would like to believe, violence within
families and relationships is emerging as a major social issue.
In an Australia-wide study 23 per cent of
women who had ever married or lived in a defacto relationship reported
they had experienced violence in that relationship.
The
study found young women reported high levels of physical and sexual
violence. And recent research has shown that boys and girls are both
victims of childhood sexual abuse at higher percentages than initially
thought, affecting up to 1 in 4 boys and 1 in 3 girls. This has
significant implications for intervention with young people.
According to researchers at the University of South Australia, it is vital
that both the community and governments acknowledge that relationship
violence and abuse impacts on a substantial percentage of the population.
UniSA
will launch a new specialist research unit this month, the Research and
Education Unit on Gendered Violence, to underpin long-term research,
education, policy and service responses in the field.
The unit is lead by three academics from the School of Social Work and
Social Policy, Donna
Chung, Mary Freer and Patrick
O’Leary. Donna, Mary and Patrick bring extensive experience as
practitioners, researchers, policy and management.
The Director of Australian Domestic and
Family Violence Clearinghouse, Dr Lesley Laing, will launch the unit on
Wednesday July 11 at 5 pm at UniSA’s Magill Campus, Amy Wheaton Lecture
Theatre.
UniSA research unit member Donna Chung says people need to see the full
face of domestic violence beyond simple and sometimes devalued notions of
women in violent partnerships.
“It is only through acknowledging the range of ways in which violence in
families occurs and is hidden that we are able to develop strategies and
policies that will make a difference,” Chung says.
“Even in the 21st century as a society there is still an acceptance that
domestic violence is a ‘private matter’. Horrifyingly enough, some
fairly recent research showed that a fair percentage of the population
believed violence and abuse could be justified in certain
circumstances.”
Fellow researcher, Patrick O’Leary, who specialises in the effects of
abuse on families says that sexual abuse is also an issue clouded by
secrecy in the community.
“Research and training offered by the unit will provide opportunities
for professionals and the community to become more aware of the issues
that adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse may face,” O’Leary
said.
Chung says the new unit will look at domestic violence, child sexual
abuse, sexual assault, the impact of domestic violence on children, dating
violence, men who use violence and the health and welfare impacts of
violence in the home.
“As a unit we recognise some key factors surrounding violence and abuse
have to be considered,” Chung says.
“Violence has a gendered dimension and occurs in a socio-political
context that supports power imbalances. It is also clear that violence can
not be properly understood without consideration of culture, race
sexuality, location and identity.”
Chung said the new unit would be hosting a series of domestic violence
education forums in conjunction with Women’s Heath Statewide, the SA
Community Health Association and the Department of Human Services in the
next couple of months to support community workers and educators
The first forum – Controversies and
politics in Domestic Violence Work – will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm at
UniSA’s Magill Campus on July 11 from 2 – 5 pm. Dr Lesley Laing,
Director of the DV Clearinghouse. The forum is free for the unemployed,
volunteers and students and a small charge of $30 will be required from
those who are employed. A second forum will be held in September.
Registration and enquiries can be directed to Lisa on (08) 8302 4740.
Media
contact: Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966 or 041 8823673
email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
|
