Royal Commission into Family Violence: issues paper

The purpose of this issues paper is to provide general guidance to individuals and organisations in making written submissions to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Introduction The Royal Commission into Family Violence (‘the Royal Commission’) is seeking submissions from anyone directly affected by family violence, from individuals and organisations who have come into contact with people affected by family violence (whether directly working in the family violence sector or not), and from any others whose experiences and ideas may assist the work of the Royal Commission. Examples of individuals who do not work directly in the family violence sector but may wish to make a submission include general practitioners and other health professionals, social workers, disability workers and advocates, teachers and community or religious leaders. The purpose of this issues paper is to provide general guidance to individuals and organisations in making their written submissions. The Royal Commission is also accepting submissions that address its Terms of Reference1 without responding to the particular questions in this issues paper. Written submissions are just one of the ways in which the Royal Commission will gather views and information. It will also be examining more detailed questions through its research, community engagement and public hearing activities. Updates about the Royal Commission’s activities will appear on our website: www.rcfv.com.a

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence in the State of Alaska: Key Results from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey

Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Department of Public SafetyThis document is a two-page summary of the key results from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) for Alaska statewide and trends from 2010 to 2015, which show a decline in intimate partner and sexual violence in Alaska since 2010. The 2015 AVS statewide survey was conducted from May to August 2015, with results released on February 25, 2016 in Juneau. Findings include: * In 2010, 12 in 100 women had experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in Alaska during the previous year. By 2015, that number dropped to 8 in 100; * Intimate partner violence decreased by 32%; * Sexual violence decreased by 33%; * 6,556 fewer women experienced intimate partner violence in 2015 than in 2010; and * 3,072 fewer women experienced sexual violence in 2015 than 2010. The 2015 survey also indicated that: * 21,401 adult women in Alaska experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in the past year; and * Half of adult women in Alaska (more than 130,000) have experienced violence in their lifetime.Purpose of the Survey / Methodology / Acknowledgments / Key Estimates / Intimate Partner Violence Estimates / Sexual Violence Estimates / Important Limitation

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence in Bristol Bay: Key Results from the 2011 Alaska Victimization Survey

This document is a two-page summary of the key results from the 2011 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Brisol Bay region, which was conducted from April to June 2011, with results released on October 12, 2011 in Dillingham. Findings include: * Over 50% of adult women in the Bristol Bay Region have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime; * Nearly 15% have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year; * 3 out of every 10 adult women in the Bristol Bay Region have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime; and * 4 out of every 10 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Department of Public SafetyPurpose of the Survey / Methodology / Acknowledgments / Key Estimates / Intimate Partner Violence Estimates / Sexual Violence Estimates / Important Limitation

Physical and Psychological Violence at the Workplace

[Excerpt] Key findings Workplace violence is a social phenomenon of a certain magnitude. Overall, approximately 6% of European workers report having experienced some form of workplace violence, either physical or psychological, in the past 12 months. Non-physical forms of workplace violence (such as verbal abuse, threats of physical violence and unwanted sexual attention) experienced in the past month are reported by 12% of workers. Overall, levels of reported psychological violence are higher than those of physical violence. Of the diverse types of psychological violence, bullying or general harassment is more prevalent than sexual harassment. There are variations in exposure to workplace bullying between European countries. On the whole, exposure to bullying or harassment is comparatively greater in France and the Benelux countries, while reported levels are lower in southern and eastern European countries. The country variations of reported exposure may reflect different levels of awareness of the issue and willingness to report, as well as of actual occurrence. Major differences in the incidence of workplace violence are apparent across sectors. Exposure to all forms of violence tends to be concentrated in sectors with above-average contact with the public. The level of physical and psychological violence is particularly high in the health and social work sectors as well as in public administration. Women, particularly younger women, appear to be more subject to sexual harassment in the workplace than men. Both physical and psychological violence have serious implications for the health and well-being of workers. Workers exposed to psychosocial risks report significantly higher levels of work-related ill-health than those who are not. The most common reported symptoms are stress, sleeping problems, fatigue and depression. Exposure to psychological violence is correlated with higher-than-average rates of absenteeism. Although psychological violence is, by its nature, more cumulative in its impact than physical violence, its negative health effects measured in terms of absenteeism appear to be as detrimental as physical workplace violence. Work environment factors contribute to the incidence of workplace violence. For example, high levels of work intensity (tight deadlines, working at very high speed), a high number of work pace constraints and working in frequent contact with customers, clients and other non-colleagues are associated with a higher likelihood of being bullied

Estimating the costs of gender-based violence in the European Union

The purpose of the study is to identify and recommend appropriate methodologies to measure the cost of gender-based and intimate partner violence in EU-28 Member States. To define gender-based and intimate partner violence for this study we draw on the definitions advanced by the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (UN 1993) and Council of Europe (2011) respectively. These authorities focus on the forms of violence, violence perpetrated by intimate partners and other family members (domestic violence) and sexual violence that are disproportionality perpetrated against and disproportionality impact women

SEX BEFORE VIOLENCE: GIRLS, DATING VIOLENCE, AND (PERCEIVED) SEXUAL AUTONOMY

This article explores the phenomenon of girl violence by examining teen dating violence and girls\u27 experiences with intimate abuse both as victims and as perpetrators. While there is a tendency to view women\u27s experiences as victims of violence as separate and distinct from their experiences as victims of violence, the two phenomena are interrelated. A girl\u27s violent victimization can lead her to victimize someone else, just as her own violence can lead her to violent victimization. These conversations about young women and sexual behavior are especially important for lawyers and advocates. While the implementation of legal strategies such as civil restraining orders and more aggressive criminal prosecutions provide victims of intimate violence greater legal options, there have been no studies which suggest that these strategies help prevent violence among teens. It is necessary to explore more proactive strategies, such as programs geared to reducing dating violence and sex education classes that fully inform adolescents of the risks of early sexual activity

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence in the Municipality of Anchorage: Key Results from the 2011 Alaska Victimization Survey

This document is a two-page summary of the key results from the 2011 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Municipality of Anchorage, which was conducted from April to June 2011, with results released on October 3, 2011 in Anchorage. Findings include: * Over 50% of adult women in the Municipality of Anchorage have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime; * Over 8% have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year; * Three out of every ten adult women in the Municipality of Anchorage have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime; and * Four out of every ten have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Department of Public SafetyPurpose of the Survey / Methodology / Acknowledgments / Key Estimates / Intimate Partner Violence Estimates / Sexual Violence Estimates / Important Limitation

Preventing Gun Violence in Pediatrics

Learn about the Violence Prevention Initiative at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which has become a national and global model for hospital-based and communitydelivered violence prevention through educational programming in schools and the community, screening for risk in clinical settings, and direct casework with injured youth and their family members. This session will be led by Rachel Myers, Research Scientist, Violence Prevention Initiative at CHOP. ----- Rachel Myers, PhD, is a Research Scientist and Violence Prevention Initiative Fellow at Children\u27s Hospital of Pennsylvania. She has worked on several studies related to both intentional and unintentional pediatric and adolescent injury prevention. The Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) at CHOP is an evidence-based effort to protect youth from violence that has become a national and global model for hospital-based and community-delivered violence prevention. Overview Burden of Pediatric Gun Violence CHOP Violence Prevention Initiative CHOP Gun Violence-related Research Efforts Pediatric Perspective on Gun Violence Polic

Mental health of victims of sexual violence in eastern Congo: associations with daily stressors, stigma, and labeling

Background: The conflict-ridden context of eastern Congo has set the scene for grueling human rights violations, with sexual violence as one of the 'weapons of war'. Currently, sexual violence continues, with a considerable increase in civilian perpetrators. However, little is known regarding the particular impact of different experiences of sexual violence on adolescents' mental health. This study therefore investigates the impact of sexual violence on eastern Congolese adolescents' mental health and its differing associations with daily stressors, stigma, and the labeling of sexual violence (as 'rape' or 'non-consensual sexual experience'). Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based survey design was implemented in 22 secondary schools, randomly selected from a stratified sample, in Bunia, eastern Congo, a region extensively affected by war. A total of 1,305 school-going adolescent girls aged 11 to 23 participated. Self-report measures of mental health symptoms, war-related traumatic events, experiences of sexual violence, daily stressors, and stigmatization were administered. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics, traumatic experiences and daily and social stressors between types of sexual violence (rape, non-consensual sexual violence, no sexual violence) were explored through statistical analysis. ANCOVA analyses investigated associations between those risk factors and adolescents' mental health. Results: More than one third of eastern Congolese adolescent girls reported experiences of sexual violence. Elevated levels of daily stressors, experiences of stigmatization, and stressful war-related events were found amongst girl victims of sexual violence, with the highest levels for girls who labeled the sexual violence as rape. Daily stressors, stigmatization, and war-related events showed a large impact on the girls' mental health. Last, girls who labeled the sexual violence as non-consensual sexual experiences reported more post-traumatic hyper-arousal and intrusion symptoms compared to those labeling the sexual violence as rape. Conclusions: These findings point to the important association between how war-affected adolescent girls label sexual violence (rape or non-consensual sexual experiences) and their mental health. This study also documents the large impact of sexual violence on other stressors (daily stressors, stigmatization, and stressful war events) and the impact of these stressors on girl victims' mental health. It discusses important implications for addressing sexual violence and its consequences in war-affected contexts