The Cause

Family and domestic abuse in Western Australia

There were 68 victims of homicide and related offences in Western Australia in 2023. Over a quarter (27%) were family and domestic violence (FDV) related (18 victims).

In 2023, the number of victims of assault in Western Australia increased by 11% (4,083 victims) to 42,826 victims. Almost two-thirds of all assaults were FDV related (64% or 27,237 victims).

The number of sexual assault victims increased by 9% (271 victims) to 3,429 victims in 2023. Over a quarter (28%) of all sexual assault incidents were FDV related (960 victims).

Family and domestic abuse in Australia

Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health and welfare issue in Australia, occurring across all socioeconomic and demographic groups, but predominantly affecting women and children. These types of violence can have a serious impact on individuals, families and communities and can inflict physical injury, psychological trauma and emotional suffering. These effects can be long-lasting and can affect future generations.

1 in 6 women

1 in 18 men

in 2021–22 had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner since the age of 15.

1 in 6 women

1 in 13 men

in 2021–22 had experienced economic abuse by a current or previous cohabiting partner since the age of 15.

Of all respondents to the National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey in 2021:

• 25% believed that women who do not leave their abusive partners are partly responsible for violence continuing.
• 34% agreed it was common for sexual assault accusations to be used as a way of getting back at men.
• 23% believed domestic violence is a normal reaction to day-to-day stress.
• 19% agreed that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry he hits her without meaning to.
• 15% agreed that there is no harm in sexist jokes.
• 41% agreed that many women misinterpret innocent remarks as sexist.

Family and Domestic Violence Refuges

Family and domestic violence refuges in Western Australia are struggling under the unprecedented level of demand for their services and difficulty retaining their workforces of staff and volunteers. The housing shortage is adding to the demand for places at refuges.

Services Provided by Family and Domestic Violence refuges include the following:

• Accommodation for women over the age of 18 years without children who are experiencing or risk of experiencing family and domestic violence
• Accommodation for women and their children
• Case management services to women to support their individual needs
• Programs providing education and life skills support to improve participants’ physical and emotional health
• Programs that support women to feel safer in their homes through counselling, safety planning, support to attend court and obtain violence restraining orders, installation of household security devices, and liaison and advocacy with government agencies, including child protection and family support and the WA Housing Authority.
• Programs to improve employment opportunities for women with culturally diverse backgrounds
• Programs with the aim of improving the health of women experiencing family and domestic violence who have multiple health conditions, including ones related to alcohol or other drugs
• Programs for children that provide emotional support, health related referrals, homework support, out-of-school activities and holiday programs or art-related activities