WOMEN'S HEALTH “There is a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up!” Dr Tim O’Dowd, O & G Specialist and Niamh O’Dowd Violence has permeated everyday life to such an extent that society’s desensitisation is alarming. It took a series of brutal public murders of innocent women in 2015 for the grave nature of family and domestic violence (DV) to be recognised in the Gold Coast community and local media. These murders are the extreme tip of the spectrum of DV. Queensland legislation defines family and domestic violence as violent, threatening or other behaviour that coerces or controls a family member, or causes a family member to be fearful. It is a criminal act when a person imposes psychological or violent control over another person, inside or outside the home. The Domestic and Family Violence Act 2012 (Qld) states that ‘Perpetrators of domestic violence are solely responsible for their use of violence and its impacts on other people.’ Managing DV involves bringing perpetrators to account while supporting and protecting the victims. DV IS BETWEEN: • Intimate partners • Parent to child (or vice versa) DV INCLUDES: • Assault (sexual, striking, strangling, other physical) • Stalking • Denial of financial autonomy • Denial/control of social connections • Deprivation of liberty • Abuse of technology as revenge X X pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 49
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven
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