By Natalie Gallenti
BRIMBANK Council last week adopted its Family Violence Prevention Action Plan in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour within the community and create a safer and more stable environment for children.
The council has determined to work with policy makers to integrate violence prevention programs into the core business of local government by capitalising on opportunities arising in policy, programs and planning.
The Family Violence Prevention Action Plan will also work with the Brimbank community to raise awareness and influence attitudes and behaviour by promoting positive and healthy relationships through a range of settings.
According to data revealed, from 2007 to 2009 Brimbank had the highest number of family violence incidents reported compared to other local government areas in the western region. From 2008 to 2009, there were 1335 family violence incidents reported.
Consultation with various community groups revealed that children who witnessed domestic violence were likely to suffer long-term effects including “chronic non-attendance” at school, dropping out of school early and hanging around suburbs with others, therefore being labelled as “gangs”.
It was also revealed that “one in five children were moving schools, possibly in relation to housing”, as there was unsatisfactory accommodation available, often forcing victims of family violence to continue living with the perpetrator.
Rebecca, a children’s counsellor from Women’s Health West, said “children who live with family violence attempt to make sense of their place in the world in an atmosphere shaped by fear, confusion, and abuse”.
The experienced counsellor said children living with family violence experienced ongoing trauma and as a result did not have the opportunity to recover and heal.
“These children struggle to make meaning of their world and their place within it,” she said.
“Many children feel responsible for the violence, and the guilt and shame they experience as a result of family violence silences them, isolating them from their family and the wider community. They can feel anger towards their father for his behaviours, but also towards their mother for appearing not to act protectively.”
CEO of Women’s Health West Doctor Robyn Gregory said the best way mothers could protect their children from the negative repercussions of family violence was to protect themselves.
However, she said this was not always possible as there was a lack of support within the community and often the choice of whether to stay or leave was a difficult one.
