❓ Question regarding the accuracy of claims made in a workshop flyer about male victims of domestic violence and the Minister's response clarifying the gendered nature of domestic violence based on ABS data.
AnsweredQoN 548Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — MEN'S WORKSHOP
548. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Child Protection:
(1) Is the
minister aware of claims made on a flyer promoting a workshop on ''Working
with men affected by violence'' on 7 October that one in three victims
of domestic violence is male?
(2) Does the minister understand this claim to be correct?
(3) If yes to (2), what evidence is
the minister drawing on to substantiate the claim?
(4) If no to (2), will the minister
ask for the flyer to be withdrawn?
548. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Child Protection:
(1) Is the
minister aware of claims made on a flyer promoting a workshop on ''Working
with men affected by violence'' on 7 October that one in three victims
of domestic violence is male?
(2) Does the minister understand this claim to be correct?
(3) If yes to (2), what evidence is
the minister drawing on to substantiate the claim?
(4) If no to (2), will the minister
ask for the flyer to be withdrawn?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question; the question could easily have come to me under
either the Mental Health or Child Protection portfolio. I note that the
honourable member previously asked this question on 10 September, and at the
time I advised that I would look into the matter. I appreciate the honourable member
providing me with a copy of the flyer referred to in the question, and I advise
the following.
(1) The training
program ''Working with men affected by violence'' was held on 7
October 2010. I am advised that this training was developed by Greg Millan, the
vice president of the Australasian Men's Health Forum Inc, and
organised through Lifeline WA. The ''One in Three'' campaign
claims that one in three victims of family and domestic violence are male, and
that one in three victims of sexual assault are male.
(2) Many
well-regarded academics in the family and domestic violence field, such as Dr
Michael Flood, have written extensively on their concerns about the
inaccuracies perpetuated by ''One in Three''. The gendered nature
of family and domestic violence is clear when physical assault, sexual assault
and threat are combined. The 2005 Australian Bureau of Statistics personal
safety survey relied only on physical assault data that indicated that of the
808 300 men who had experienced violence, including physical and sexual assault
and threat, within the previous 12 months, only 3.5 per cent were assaulted by
a female partner or former partner. In contrast, 25.8 per cent of women who
experienced violence were assaulted by a male partner or former partner.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) No. To the
best of my knowledge, the workshop occurred in October 2010. I would also like
to take the opportunity to advise the member that I raised with the acting
director general of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support the
wording of the department's website in relation to family and domestic
violence services. I can now advise that the wording has been changed to —
The Men's Domestic
Violence Helpline is a state wide 24 hour service. This service provides
counselling for men who are concerned about becoming violent or abusive. The
service can provide telephone counselling, information and referral to ongoing
face to face services if required. Information and support is also available
for men who have experienced family and domestic violence.
some notice of this question; the question could easily have come to me under
either the Mental Health or Child Protection portfolio. I note that the
honourable member previously asked this question on 10 September, and at the
time I advised that I would look into the matter. I appreciate the honourable member
providing me with a copy of the flyer referred to in the question, and I advise
the following.
(1) The training
program ''Working with men affected by violence'' was held on 7
October 2010. I am advised that this training was developed by Greg Millan, the
vice president of the Australasian Men's Health Forum Inc, and
organised through Lifeline WA. The ''One in Three'' campaign
claims that one in three victims of family and domestic violence are male, and
that one in three victims of sexual assault are male.
(2) Many
well-regarded academics in the family and domestic violence field, such as Dr
Michael Flood, have written extensively on their concerns about the
inaccuracies perpetuated by ''One in Three''. The gendered nature
of family and domestic violence is clear when physical assault, sexual assault
and threat are combined. The 2005 Australian Bureau of Statistics personal
safety survey relied only on physical assault data that indicated that of the
808 300 men who had experienced violence, including physical and sexual assault
and threat, within the previous 12 months, only 3.5 per cent were assaulted by
a female partner or former partner. In contrast, 25.8 per cent of women who
experienced violence were assaulted by a male partner or former partner.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) No. To the
best of my knowledge, the workshop occurred in October 2010. I would also like
to take the opportunity to advise the member that I raised with the acting
director general of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support the
wording of the department's website in relation to family and domestic
violence services. I can now advise that the wording has been changed to —
The Men's Domestic
Violence Helpline is a state wide 24 hour service. This service provides
counselling for men who are concerned about becoming violent or abusive. The
service can provide telephone counselling, information and referral to ongoing
face to face services if required. Information and support is also available
for men who have experienced family and domestic violence.
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