Australia Says No to Violence against Women!

Australia Says No to Violence against Women
written by Angela Berenger.

On 2004, the Federal Government funded a $20 million Campaign to bring awareness to the public of violence occurring in the home behind closed doors. The Campaign is a milestone toward opening up publicly against family violence via the media, being one of the most influential social institutions in society today.

The Campaign includes encompasses a website and booklet containing information of what it is aiming to do. There are also advertisements on the television and the radio as part of the campaign, portraying men and women speaking about instances about family violence. The Campaign is definitely a step forward towards seeing family violence as a serious crime in society and the efforts should be given credit for the efforts made toward this long time growing concern.

However, following an article in The Age News in October 2006 titled “Domestic Violence Misunderstood” raises significant concerns to the effectiveness of the impact the commercials had on its viewers. Even though awareness that domestic violence is indeed a crime has risen, as well as the defining factors of what abuse is has broadened; for instance harassment and threats can be done through modern technology such as sms on a mobile telephone, there are still significant numbers of women who are not taking in the messages that are being portrayed through the media about domestic violence.

Particularly, Women who have migrated to Australia that do not have a strong understanding of this country and it’s language have next to no understanding or education about domestic violence and what support there is out there for them. The impact of violence has not been hard-hitting enough for people to sit up and take notice of how serious and damaging it can be to live in an abusive home environment. Showing average people making statements about whether or not abuse has occurred doesn’t seem to have an impact strong enough for all cultures and status in our communities.

Although it sends out a strong message that violence is not acceptable and it is a crime, people seem to sit up and take more notice when there is a shock factor. For instance a commercial showing what can occur when speeding in a car or when a person drink-drives, a smoker and the effects of the body from doing that; has been more effective for people to take notice and much more hard-hitting.

How would a commercial about domestic violence affect viewers if they were to see a woman cowering in a corner, battered esteem and body, with a man holding his power and strength over her and then attempting to apologise for his actions? A vicious cycle of abuse is what is occurring over and over again until the person being abused gathers up the courage and strength to leave, although in many cases. This has not been successful as the perpetrator has gone too far and murdered their victim or the victim has turned into rage and attacked their abuser and they may be sentenced to a life of imprisonment.

So how would harder hitting messages on commercials, relating to violence in the home have an impact on the viewers? I can only assume and hope that the nature of it would make more the public and the people affected to sit up and take notice about the seriousness of crimes taking place right in the family home.

October 15th, 2007. Filed under Community & Writing, Mindless Banter | No Comments »