Tragic impact of domestic violence

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 30 Mar 2014.

New research from the University of South Australia and Curtin University shows the true extent of damage to victims of domestic violence, which does not end when a victim escapes the relationship.  The study of 175 women in all Australian States and Territories found that:

• more than half of all victims changed their job or hours of work as a result of the abuse, either to escape their attacker or because of the low self-esteem it caused;
• more than 30 per cent reported making a significant geographical move;
• while a majority of women had jointly owned a home before the attacks, they had since moved into rental housing with increased costs and uncertainty; and
• while most of those surveyed had reported good mental health before the violence, they now suffered high levels of anxiety, depression and fear.

Abuse of any kind, whether sexual, physical or emotional, must never be tolerated or excused.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.