SPR30831 WLF SPA WhitePaper v12 - Flipbook - Page 17
Domestic violence
Domestic violence in relation to suicide prevention and mental health
The Australian Federal Government declared COVID-19 a disaster in May 2020 53. Analysis of
previous disasters and catastrophic events has shown an increase in domestic violence cases
for many months after their conclusion. Examples include:
• an increased chance of IPV one to two years following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti
• c
lose to 50 per cent increase in reports of domestic violence in Othello, Washington
post-eruption of Mount St. Helens
• p
artner physical abuse nearly doubling in some counties in Mississippi post-Hurricane
Katrina54.
Wesley LifeForce Network members reported that, drawing from their
experience of the 2009 Black Saturday fires, it was important to include
considerations of domestic and family violence impacts in disaster
management planning. Staff also require targeted training to equip them to
identify post traumatic stress (PTS) in domestic and family violence victims.
In an Australian case study investigating domestic violence following the 2009 Black Saturday
Bushfire catastrophe, more than half of female participants directly related their experience of
domestic violence as being new or increased55. A later study found domestic and family violence
survivors had reported increased incidence of mental illness (for example, post-traumatic stress
disorder and depression) because of the disaster. It is important to address the domestic
violence impacts on mental health and suicide outcomes that are likely to occur due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Wesley Lifeforce surveyed 30 of its community Suicide Prevention Network members across 23
of its networks. Networks represented three major cities, 13 regional, four remote and three very
More than a third (37%) of our survey respondents said the pandemic
has increased domestic violence in their communities.
remote areas in Australia on the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence in communities.
More than half of respondents reported the pandemic has negatively impacted domestic
violence in their communities. Network members identified comprehensive disaster planning,
specialist training in early identification of PTSD as key mechanisms for building resilience and
equipping frontline workers to assist in a disaster response56.
Network members noted that DFV anger management classes via phone have not been as
effective as face-to-face and increases in alcohol and drug use in communities has led to an
increase in domestic violence cases57.
Mental illness, unemployment and financial distress are key risk factors for suicide58. The risk of
suicide increases when a combination of risk factors occurs59. Evidence demonstrates that the
severity of IPV is strongly associated with an elevated risk of suicide and poor mental health
(e.g. PTSD, depression and anxiety). By addressing the mental health needs of victims, the risk
of suicide can be reduced 60.
Reducing distress in the community following the COVID-19 pandemic
June 2020
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