This section is based off of a Family Violence Bench Book section from the Judicial College. # Family Violence is Gendered Violence >[!CLAIM] Claim >An overwhelming majority of women experience violence at the hands of men. The source of this claim is said to be: *[The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2009), Background Paper to Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009-2021, Canberra, at 25-26.](https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/background_paper_to_time_for_action.pdf)* That document references an [Australian Bureau of Statistics, Personal Safety Survey conducted in 2005](https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4906.0Main+Features12005%20(Reissue)%3FOpenDocument) (I highly recommend you read the full findings): - Persons involved in the survey were asked about violence since age of 15 - Violence was defined as *"any incident involving the occurrence, attempt or threat of either physical or sexual assault"* - 7,693,100 women responded, 7,478,100 men responded. The survey estimated a 25% to 50% of relative standard error. - During the last 12 months (since 2005): - 443,800 (5.8%) of women experienced violence from that sample. Within this sample; - 73,800 (31%) of women were physically assaulted by a current/previous partner. - 16,100 (10%) of women had a violence order issued as a result of the violence. - 808,300 (10.8%) of men experienced violence from that sample. Within this sample; - 21,200 (4.4%) of men were physically assaulted by a current/previous partner - Since the age of 15 (of the people responding to the survey): - 1,135,500 (15%) of women experienced violence from a previous or current partner. - 367,300 (4.9%) of men experienced violence from a previous or current partner. Keeping in mind that a full interpretation of the data would be needed to come to a concrete conclusion; this claim is substantiated. Statistics in 2005 showed in many ways that women do experience more abuse by a current or previous partner then men. Men were more likely to experience violence from strangers. # Coercive Power and Control >[!QUOTE] Family Violence Bench Book 5.2.3 - Victorian Judicial College >Family violence is characterised by repeated coercive and controlling behaviour which limits, directs and shapes a person's thoughts, feelings or actions. - Perpetrators combine subtle/overt methods to maintain control (e.g. act/talk/think in ways that please them) - Perpetrators have control over their actions when they are violent. # The Family Violence Cycle **Phase 1:** Tension builds and victim's perceptions of danger increase **Phase 2:** Tension culminates in violent incident **Phase 3:** Period of loving/remorseful behaviour by perpetrator, seducing victim to remain in the relationship. Tension then builds again (back to Phase 1). # Retaliatory Violence and Self-Defence >[!IMPORTANT] Distinguish Resistance Violence from Primary Aggression >Resistance violence lacks coercive or controlling intent on the part of the person committing the violence. Victims of family violence may engage in behaviours as a response to perpetrators. The behaviour may appear **non-sensical or threaten the legitimacy of 'victimhood'**. >[!INFO] Dr. Linda NEILSON >Documented reactive behaviours, such as retaliating against physical or psychological violence with violent behaviour, aggressiveness or self-defensive behaviours which appear excessive, are apt to cause confusion but need to be understood as different to the primary aggressor's behaviour. Reactive behaviour or 'resistance violence' can include: - Violence as a response to perceived imminent threats; or - Violence which is a response to psychological harm resulting from history of FV; or - Violent behaviour undertaken in an attempt to escape relationship; or - Violence as a means of standing up to primary aggressor >[!WARNING] Primary Aggressor Identification >Failing to identify resistance violence from primary aggressive violence can lead to a failure to adequately protect victims and be overly punitive to the victims themselves.