Efficient Domestic Violence Support Services Can Be a Real Game-Changer

Domestic violence can be called a pattern of abusive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship where a close person or family member uses violence to dominate, oppress or control another person who is most of the times a female or a woman in the family.

Such violence within the four walls of a home can take different forms including intimidation, cruelty or isolation, physical, emotional, sexual, social, financial and spiritual abuse. It can happen to anyone and in any socio-economic and cultural settings.

The cases of domestic violence reported from all over the world portray that it is an ongoing problem and seem to be undeterred by any policy or regulation made to curtail it. The recent figures elucidate this in a much clearer manner. On average, it has been estimated that almost one-third to one-fifth of Australian women experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

While men also experience it, women are also more likely to be subjected to it and get seriously injured by ongoing assaults than men. Cases of such extreme level of violence have revealed that people experiencing it are often left isolated, deprived and marginalized due to the shame, fear, insecurity and stigma attached to it. In many conservative countries, such victims are often reluctant to even ask for help.

It is of paramount importance that people victimized by domestic violence get the needed help and support. Most of the times, such victims hardly dare to speak up and stand for themselves. A lot of the sufferers also helplessly accept it as part and parcel of their lives. But, with awareness programs, information and counselling, they can also emerge victoriously and take the courage to speak up against the offenders.

Domestic violence services are designed with this aim in view, and those working in domestic violence services offer the necessary guidance and support to those in need. By providing the victims, information, resources and references agencies dedicated to such services can come as a great sigh of relief. Identifying the early signs of such violence even in workplaces and cases where minors are concerned, these services play a decisive role.

The worst aspect of domestic violence that has been observed globally is that the victims are often left isolated, deprived and homeless, mainly because most of them are women and children. The problem is so bad that it has been estimated that about 121,000 people who were victims of domestic and family violence sought help from professional homelessness services in 2019. Such victims also suffer from economic deprivation, making them depressed and suffer from several mental as well as physical health issues. With the appropriate help and support and active participation from the society, at large, the rate of such violence can be controlled considerably to a great extent.