Each year over the Christmas period there is a spike in requests for assistance and referrals over incidents of domestic violence.
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00:00Obviously, we know that domestic family sexual violence is a complex issue and that there's
00:06no one reason, but what we do hear from people, particularly with the lived experience, is
00:11that there are increased times of stress, increased use of alcohol, and a time where
00:16people can be experiencing stress, like financial stress or other stresses that they may not
00:20throughout other times of the year.
00:23We know alcohol tends to get the blame a lot for increases in violence, particularly as
00:28you say around Christmas and big sporting events even, but could you explain why you
00:34say it's important that we recognise that alcohol itself doesn't cause violence?
00:40Absolutely.
00:42So alcohol can be a contributing factor towards violence.
00:45It decreases people's social behaviours or their decision-making capacity and it increases
00:50stress but it isn't the contributing factor to domestic family sexual violence.
00:55Ultimately, that sits with the person that uses violence.
00:58We know in this country that we are in the grips of a domestic violence crisis.
01:02It's been described by at least one coroner as an epidemic.
01:06Do you think people have an understanding of just how common domestic violence is and
01:12could you give us an idea of how widespread it is?
01:18What we do know is that domestic violence is under-reported and so any of the statistics
01:23which are bad enough, as we know, are under-reported by people for a range of reasons.
01:29I think the increased focus from media on domestic violence is bringing it to the forefront
01:34of all Australians' minds, particularly at this time of year.
01:38Do you think that highlighting, I suppose, of domestic violence is leading more people
01:45to actually making those reports?
01:49I think anything that helps people seek help at the time of need, whether that's media
01:54attention, whether it's family and friends reaching out, whether it's understanding what
01:57services are available, are a positive thing.
02:01On that, if someone does suspect that a loved one that they see at Christmas might be at
02:06risk, is there a safe way to approach that?
02:09What's the best way to check in on someone you might be concerned about?
02:13Absolutely.
02:14Starting the conversation and just asking, are you safe?
02:16Is there anything I can do, is a great start.
02:19If they need more information than that, 1800RESPECT can help both the person experiencing
02:23violence but also their family and friends to have that conversation or to work through
02:27where might be a safe time and place to have that conversation.
02:31And also, there is a lot of great information on local government and federal government
02:35websites that help people engage in having those conversations with people that they
02:39care about.
02:40Jenna Roberts, the Acting Commissioner for Domestic Family and Sexual Violence, thanks
02:44so much for your time.
02:46Thanks, Melissa.
02:48And if this story has raised any issues for you, you can get help by calling the National
02:53Sexual Assault and Family Violence Counselling Helpline on 1800RESPECT.
02:57That number is 1800 737 732.