What is Gendered Violence?
The prevention of violence against women (PVAW) is about stopping violence before it starts. The evidence is very clear that violence against women, including coercive control is driven by gender inequality and worsened by other forms of discrimination and systemic power inequity.
Violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights in the State of Victoria. The good news is that if we all work together, violence against women is absolutely preventable.
"Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that causes or could cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of harm or coercion, in public or in private life."
— UN Declaration
Gendered-violence includes psychological, economic, emotional, spiritual, physical and sexual violence. It is the leading preventable contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15-44 years.
Violence against women is an important determinant of women’s health as it can have significant psychological effects (such as, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) and result in poorer wellbeing. In addition to these negative health impacts, violence against women is also a major contributing factor to housing instability and homelessness among women due to difficulties with maintaining housing, paying mortgages, bills or rent, or having to live in temporary accommodations with family and/or friends.
In Our Region
One in three Australian women will experience physical violence and one in five women over the age of 15 will experience sexual violence at some stage in their lifetime.
Violence against women includes psychological, economic, emotional, spiritual, physical and sexual violence.
It is the leading preventable contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15-44 years.
Violence against women is an important determinant of women’s health as it can have significant psychological effects (such as, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) and result in poorer wellbeing. In addition to these negative health impacts, violence against women is a major contributing factor to housing instability and homelessness due to difficulties with maintaining housing, paying mortgages, bills or rent, or having to live in temporary accommodations with family or friends.
Police data relating to violence against women in the SMR is presented below. However, research indicates that less than one third of women contact the police following a violent incident. This data includes all violence that has been perpetrated from one family member to another and is not exclusively related to violence against women. The data also provides insights into intimate partner violence which refers to violence committed by a former or current partner.
Gendered Violence and...
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Latest Family Incident Figures
The rates of family violence recorded in 2020 were particularly concerning. Research suggests that these higher rates of family violence were impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, especially in Victoria where we experienced multiple extended lockdowns. Since 2020, there has been a slight decrease across the SMR, which is consistent with Victorian trends.
Frankston and Greater Dandenong have had the highest reported incidents across the last five years.