Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the advice provided on the department's website concerning domestic violence helplines for men and women, specifically if the advice is helpful to men experiencing domestic violence. The Minister confirms the advice is helpful, citing statistics on domestic violence victims.

AnsweredQoN 516Legislative Council
Asked
11 September 2013
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE HELPLINE
516. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Child Protection:
(1) Is the
minister aware that her department's website provides the following
advice —
The Women's Domestic Violence
Helpline is a 24 hour service. This service provides support and counselling
for women experiencing family and domestic violence. This includes phone
counselling, information and advice, referral to local advocacy and support services,
liaison with police if necessary and support in escaping situations of family
and domestic violence. The service can refer women to safe accommodation if
required.
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 and information and referral to ongoing face to
face services if required
(2) Is the
minister confident that this advice sends a helpful message to men experiencing
family and domestic violence?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1)–(2)
Yes. It is acknowledged that both women and men can be victims of family and
domestic violence. However, there is a significant disparity between the
numbers of women and men who experience family and domestic violence. Of the
808 300 men who experienced violence—physical and sexual assault and
threat—in the previous 12 months, 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.

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