New data shows assaults spike during public holiday period

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Each year over the Christmas period there is a spike in requests for assistance and referrals over incidents of domestic violence.

Transcript

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.

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