FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – POST COVID 19

Domestic and family violence during and post Covid-19, and identifying the “markers” of an abusive relationship

 

Whilst Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease in WA, lawyers, counsellors and front line workers are starting to see a flood of family and domestic violence victims seeking support and access to legal services. Whilst the amount of families that are seeking support is overwhelming, sadly this is not surprising.

In Australia, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. In 2018, The West Australian described WA as the epicentre of the nation’s domestic violence surge, with almost two in three assaults being committed by a partner or relative. Over the past decade family violence related offences in WA have steadily increased by more than 100%. According to the WA Police Crime Statistics, there were 16,815 Family Violence related offences during 2018 – 2019. During 2019 – 2020, this statistic increased to 18,459.

The Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister, Simone McGurk stated:

“We know that people experiencing family and domestic violence are at increased risk when they are isolated from family and the community, and are unable to leave or put other protective measures in place.” – 02 April 2020 Media Statement

For those affected by domestic and family violence, home is not a safe place or a place of refuge. However, the flow on effect of the pandemic has resulted in a heightened state of stress and anxiety not only for victims, but also for perpetrators of family and domestic violence. Many families have either lost their jobs, or have had their finances significantly impacted. Further, many families were required to work from home and home school their children whilst WA was in lockdown. This has meant many victims of family and domestic violence, have had had to self-isolate with their abuser for longer periods of time. The combined stress and anxiety caused by economic hardship, social isolation and close proximity for extended periods of time within the family unit, has created what can only be described as “the perfect storm.”

Identifying family and domestic violence (even if there are no bruises or black eyes)

Many people mistaken family and domestic violence as “just” physical abuse or assaults. Family and domestic violence is essentially where one person tries to dominate and control others within the family unit. Family and domestic violence includes, but is not limited to the following behaviour:

No	Type of behaviour	Examples
1	Repeated derogatory / emotive remarks or comments	“You’re fat / lazy / useless” “You’re nothing without me;” “You’re a f****** c***;” “ No one would ever like or love you;” “If you leave me, I will kill myself;” “Just think what our friends and family will think of you if you leave me;” “This is all your fault – I’m like this because of you.”
2	Preventing you from making / keeping connections with friends or family members	Moving to locations where you don’t know anyone and have no support network; Behaving rudely to family and friends, or telling them lies to put them off from maintaining a relationship with you; Forbidding you or making you feel guilty from seeing family, friends or meeting new people; Taking away your mobile phone or monitoring your phone calls with family or friends
3	Damaging / destroying your property or shared property	Smashing your phone or destroying other property; Kicking / hitting / punching doors / walls / cars
4	Stalking / Cyber stalking	Monitoring your everyday movements and posts on social media
5	Distributing intimate images (or threatening to do so)	“If you don’t do this, I will send nude photos of you to your family and friends / post photos of us having sex on snapchat.”
6	Unreasonably denying financial autonomy or withholding financial support	Complete control of all finances (regardless of whether they are the main income earner or not); No access to any bank accounts or providing only an inadequate allowance;” Removing funds from your bank account or taking cash from you without your permission
7	Causing injury or death to your pets
8	Kidnapping / depriving you of your liberty
9	Assault / Sexual Assault	Being pushed, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or spat on; Sexual activity without your consent, criticising or using sexually degrading insults
10	Threatening to do the above behaviour or threats to take away your children	“If you tell anyone / call the Police, I will choke you out / bury you in the back yard etc;” “If you leave me, I will make you pay / ruin you / I will kill you / I will take the kids away from you and make you feel sorry”
11	Exposing other family members who are children to the above behaviour	Over hearing threats of violence (even if the children are not in the same room or are “asleep”); Seeing or hearing assaults; Helping comfort a family member who has been assaulted; Cleaning up a place after someone has been assaulted or property has been damaged; Being there when the Police or ambulance officers come after there has been family violence

At Frichot Lawyers, we understand not only the emotional and financial impact a restraining order can have upon an individual but also the overall impact they can cause an entire family. Frichot Lawyers are able to provide specialist legal advice in relation to Violence Restraining Orders, Family Violence Restraining Orders and Misconduct Restraining Orders.

Whether you need assistance in obtaining a restraining order, wish to object to a restraining order, or have been charged with breaching a restraining order, our specialist team will provide you with sound advice to ensure you obtain the best outcome in your matter.

This article was written by Mila Mortimer,

Senior Associate and Specialist in both Family and Criminal Law