Community Health Nursing Project
section 1
Domestic Violence Sydney, Australia
Population, Location, Time of Event, Occurrence; Distribution of problem
Problem
Domestic violence is prevalent although often concealed problem in several parts of Australia. It takes place in all parts of society irrespective of social-economic status, religious affiliations, and geographic location and often leads to demoralizing impacts. Such effects associated with domestic violence are either short term or long term in nature. The vice contributes to psychosomatic, economic and social challenges to the victims involved. In the long term, intimate partner violence can negatively affect the whole family unit, children’s lives, and the community as a whole. Currently, domestic violence has become a major public health problem and is very common among the females attending medical or clinical practices.
The phrase domestic violence also called gender-based violence, refers to an interpersonal violence that occurs in a domestic setting between two people who have or had an intimate relationship and it is commonly perpetrated against the female partner by the man. Such acts of violence include sexual assaults, physical and psychological exploitations. Nevertheless, the term is also used to refer to violence among the children by their parents and by the women against their male spouses (Summers, & Hoffman, 2002).
The city of Sydney in Australia has widespread occurrences of domestic violence often committed by the man to their female partners. In Sydney, there are people of all age brackets that is pre-teens, teenagers, and adults whose ages range eighteen years and above. The population in this city of Australia composes of both male and females, and the federal government requires that an individual should be recognized within the society as gender rather than the sex they were assigned during infancy. Some parts of the Sydney city are associated with certain ethnic groups and people born in diverse regions of the world living in particular parts of the metropolitan. The majority of the natives in Sydney are above the poverty levels and substantially educated. The city has a growing market economy with major fortes in finance, industrialization and tourism (Rauscher, & Momtaz, 2015).
Sydney is the largest town in Australia situated within a coastal basin, surrounded by the Hawkesbury River to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Blue Mountains over to the western side, and the Woronora Plateau over to the south. The population size in Sydney, according to the 2012 census statistics, was approximately 4.39 million out of which 49.2% are females, and 50.8% are males The present population density in the municipal area is 372.2 peoples per square kilometer. The middle age of the people in Sydney is thirty-six years. Considering the high prospects of population growth in Sydney, the Metropolitan Plan has provided suitable housing in several locations of the city. The principal modes of transport used in the city of Sydney are trains, ferry services, airport links and buses (Biddle, Al-Yaman, Gourley, Gray, Bray, Brady, Pham, & Montaigne, 2014).
Time of Event, Occurrence
In the city of Sydney, there is widespread exploitative and violent behavior that takes place in the privacy of natives’ houses often committed by men against women. In other words, women and children in this city experience gender-based violence at greater rates than males do. According to the most recent researched information, domestic violence in Sydney became more prevalent in 1996. Further, the survey proved that almost half a million female spouses reported having experienced sexual assault and physical abuse committed against them by their husbands. Besides, the majority of violence complaints amongst the men dwelling in the city were perpetrated by other males. Up to date the local government of Sydney is still fighting against the vice of domestic violence (“Measuring domestic violence and sexual assault against women.”
, 2012).
Distribution of problem
Personal safety survey carried out in 2005 in Australia indicates that almost 4.7% of all women natives in metropolitan undergo physical exploitation committed by their male counterparts. In addition, 1.6% of the total female population experienced sexual abuse under the age of 15 years. The data released by the 2005 survey shows that compared with the 1996 collected information on domestic violence, the prevalence of the immorality has fallen substantially. However, other researchers recorded that this reduction in sexual assaults and physical abuse was not common to all parts of the large city of Sydney. The issue of domestic violence in Sydney does not occur in particular circumstances; instead, it takes place arbitrarily throughout the year. Women and children who commonly experience sexual assaults and physical violence are at high risk of suffering from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and bodily injuries.
Section 2
History and Significance of Problem
The prevalence of domestic violence in Sydney, Australia became more pronounced in early 1996. Since that time, the problem has taken root in several parts of this metropolitan and many incidences of sexual assault and physical violence have been reported. This problem of gender-based violence has occurred in other regions of Australia apart from Sydney such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth (Murray, 2011). Domestic violence over years has significantly affected the lives of the major victims that are women and children in the community. The experience negatively affects their lives both in the immediate and in the long term. According to statistics, domestic violence has become the main contributor to early deaths, sicknesses and disabilities among the women in the major cities of Australia (Wendt, 2009). Young people whose parents are victims of domestic violence are subjected to tension, anxiety and dominated by fear, a condition which leads them to significant emotional and psychosomatic distress. The vice of domestic violence increases the risk of occurrence of other community problems such as child abuse, school dropouts and single parenthood (Parliament of Australia.2015).In addition, domestic violence among the Sydney inhabitants has consequently impacted the local well-being of the entire society. A considerable portion of the total population constitute of people who are not learned and thus lack technical skills which they can apply for economic purpose. As a result, majority of the families in this city are below the poverty line since they are not employed (Women's Services Network., Australia. & Partnerships against Domestic Violence (Australia). (2000).
Section 3
Community Specific Resources to Address the Problem
Specific strategies can been implemented in Sydney in the attempt to terminate the prolonged problem of domestic violence in the region. Means of curbing the vice from taking place can be categorized as primary approaches while those implemented to reduce the severity of domestic violence among the victims can be listed as secondary resources. Tertiary means are executed as alternatives when the primary and the secondary resources have failed to adequately address the major problem of violence in this community. The local government of Sydney can work hand in hand with the federal government in creating awareness among the citizens on the significant impact of the problem of domestic violence. Education and seminars addressing the issue can been conducted; a strategy which can impel people living in this city to report occurrences of domestic violence to the relevant bodies. In addition, the sessions can incorporate education on immoralities such as infidelity, and irresponsibility which greatly contribute to gender based violence in Sydney. Besides, efficient communication channels between the responsible authorities and the prospective victims can been executed to enable them to report the violence prospects before they take place. The primary cause of domestic violence among family members is the lack of enough livelihoods such as money, and food. Therefore, the community can aim at reducing the vice by for example providing job opportunities to the people and availing other resources such as food items at relatively low prices. Secondary measures such easily accessible healthcare centers can be established in the periphery of the city where majority of the incidences occur. Sexually assaulted and physically maimed victims can be swiftly rushed to these hospitals to receive medical treatments before other associated adversities such as demise come about. Alternatively, the local government officials can seek for assistance from the central government in combating domestic violence in the metropolitan.
section 4
Legal & Ethical Considerations
The central government in Australia has implemented several strategies in the fight against domestic violence in all jurisdictions. The government responses to the issue of gender based violence are of different forms ranging from preventive plans, and support of the women and children affected by the incidences. The local government in the city comes in to offer a special support to the families of the victims and survivors. Additionally, the response of the government to the issue of gender-based violence in Australia takes the form of law enforcement. Every jurisdiction in the nation has employed a variety of laws, plans and policies reacting to and attempting to curb the issue of gender-based violence. Each jurisdiction has the responsibility of funding its own programs and lineups, but the local government also comes in and supports financially programs and systems operating in the state and regional level. For instance, the government offers accommodation services, and safe living conditions to the victims of domestic violence (Alexander, 2002). Beside, most of the strategies and services destined at curbing gender based violence and sustaining the victims are established by the states through their community outreach programs, human right services and health sectors together with police among other bodies. For example, in May 2008, the federal government founded the National Council to fight against sexual assault and physical injury among the women and the children. This council has the responsibility to put in place measures to lessen the prevalence and influence of violence against the commonest victims, women and their children.
In addition, both national and state associations responsible for citizens’ domestic affairs should refine ethical standards in the attempt to establish a model of code of conduct between married couples in the society. Such ethical standards should clearly define how the two individuals should live together and help prevent children assault and physical injuries. Besides, ethical frameworks should be outlined on how to handle victims of domestic violence morally. National councils, donors and other supporters helping the victims and survivors should ensure their safety and avoid establishing any policy which might harm them psychologically or emotionally. While under their care, the supporters are expected to pay homage to the believes and customs of the domestic violence victims. (Day, &Fernandez, 2015). These ethical standards will enable them to continue with their normal lives unaltered by the new living environments. Doctors and other people who come into contact with them ought to treat them with care to avoid subjecting them into more psychological trauma or distress. Health specialists ought to maintain the privacy of the treatment information the patient provides while undergoing medication. In addition, clinicians can help the domestic violence victims recover psychology by offering moral support and encouragement. Further, researchers while carrying out their study on the problem of domestic violence should observe ethical and safety recommendations. In this context, they are supposed to protect the confidentiality of the interviewed respondents to ensure safety of their information and that of the women. Besides, investigators should avoid any action which has the possibility of causing distress to the field participants of the research. Study team members should undergo some trainings on how to conduct themselves ethically while associating with the victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, investigators and sponsors have a moral obligation in ensuring that data collected from the field is properly interpreted and used primarily to alleviate the prevalence of domestic violence (Ptacek, 2010).
section 5
Role of the Community Health Nurse
Community health care specialists have an important role to play in combating gender based violence in the city of Sydney. These professionals should proactively handle this heath care problem which for many years has dilapidated the normal lives of women in this society. They are expected to carry out primary, secondary and tertiary involvements and interventions in the attempt to reduce the prevalence and incidence of domestic violence which has become a public health menace. CHN can undertake several primary interventions to prevent the harmful health problems of violence. These professionals may take the responsibility of educating the community members on the vice of gender based violence. They can hold forums and seminars and invite recovered domestic violence victims to share their experiences and how they managed to resolve the problems they encountered. This move will enable the community members to easily evict the chances of occurrence of the health care menace in their engagements. Additionally, CHN can intervene by creating national awareness about the prevalence of the problem, its impact to the individuals and the larger society as well. Besides the health specialists can establish linkages with other professionals and bodies with the passion to fight against the problem (McClure, 2015). These include human right associations and non-governmental organizations who aim at availing resources meant to end domestic violence. Community health nurses can partner with them to form a strong foundation destined to provide a long lasting solution to this health care problem.
Secondary interventions by the CHN are intended primarily to identify the health problem promptly and curb its impact. During their routine health-related responsibilities, the nurses can assess the frequency of admission of domestic violence patients. In these circumstances they can carefully interrogate the victims about the root of their problems and show willingness to help them. In response, the nurses can assure the victim of violence that she is not the only one facing the problem and emphasize on the illegitimacy of the occurrence, thus helping her to heal psychologically. The next strategy would be to document the information provided by the victim and used proficiently as a sample to provide mental support to other patients of a similar problem and for future reference. Tertiary intervention by the CHN is meant mainly to provide long-term strategies to completely solve the health care problem of domestic violence in the community. At this juncture, nurses should be well informed in advocating for a community that is violence free. They should insist the health centers in which they work with to take the responsibility of combating domestic violence to establish environments that can offer support to the victims and survivors of this health care problem. Nurses should consistently campaign against the vice with concerted collaborations with other national programs and international institutions with commitment to the practice. In addition, they can establish local and world-wide agencies whose primary focus would be to maintain and ensure rules governing the rights of women and children are adhered and followed by all people irrespective of their racial backgrounds, religious affiliations or individual’s beliefs and customs (Summers, & Hoffman, 2002).
References
Parliament of Australia. (2015). Domestic violence in Australia: a quick guide to the issues. Retrieved from
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1415/Quick_Guides/DVinAust
McClure, M. (2015). Domestic Violence: The Role of the Health Care Professional. Retrieved from http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mfr/4919087.0002.105/--domestic-violence-the-role-of-the-health-care-professional?rgn=main;view=fulltext
Wendt, S. (2009). Domestic violence in rural Australia. Annandale, NSW: Federation Press.
Alexander, R. (2002). Domestic violence in Australia: The legal response - 3rd ed. Annandale, NSW: Federation Press.
Summers, R. W., & Hoffman, A. M. (2002). Domestic violence: A global view. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Murray, S. (2011). Domestic violence: Australian public policy. North Melbourne, Vic: Australian Scholarly Publishing.
In Day, A., & In Fernandez, E. (2015). Preventing violence in Australia: Policy, practice and solutions.
Ptacek, J. (2010). Restorative justice and violence against women. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Women's Services Network., Australia., & Partnerships Against Domestic Violence (Australia). (2000). Domestic violence in regional Australia: A literature review. Canberra?: Commonwealth Dept. of Transport and Regional Services.
APPENDICES
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