06 May A Commitment on Mother’s Day
It’s important to start here by acknowledging that this article is gendered. However, this has been done to highlight gendered violence of which women are the victims, particularly intimate partner violence and not to minimise of other genders or those who are gender non-conforming.
As Mother’s Day approaches, our social media feeds overflow with images of smiling mothers and heartfelt tributes. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating the love, sacrifice, and resilience of mothers around the world. However, amidst the flowers and brunches lies a stark reality for many women in Australia: the haunting presence of intimate partner violence. For these mothers, Mother’s Day is not just a day of celebration but also a painful reminder of their struggles, fears, and resilience in the face of abuse.
While society celebrates the joys of motherhood, the occasion can be complex for women and mothers who are also grappling with intimate partner violence and the feelings of fear, shame, and isolation.
It can be helpful, though confronting, to look at the reality of intimate partner violence in Australia, so that we can put the severity of the issue and how we can address it in our own lives into perspective.
On average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner.
Between 2021 and 2022 alone, 4620 women in Australia were hospitalised due to family violence. It is important to also keep in mind that these were the numbers for the women who reported it and sought medical care. There are many more who do not report or seek care.
1 one 4 Australian women have experienced economic, emotional or physical abuse by a cohabiting partner.
And the numbers are increasing; the number of women killed by an intimate partner increased by 30% from 2021/2022 to 2022/2023, the rate of death among women at the hands of an intimate partner increasing by 66% since 1989/1990.
It’s crucial to use the platform of Mother’s Day to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of intimate partner violence on women and families. Understanding what intimate partner violence can look like is an essential starting point in identifying it.
As defined by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, Intimate Partner violence (IPV) refers to any behaviour within an intimate relationship (current or previous) that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm. IPV can include emotional, economic, physical and sexual abuse.
There are a number of factors that can perpetuate and sustain IPV in a society, one of which are myths surrounding IPV. These can include the belief that only physical violence constitutes IPV, that it is easy for women to leave a relationship where IPV occurs or that IPV only occurs in certain demographics. None of these are fact, and challenging these myths where and when they crop in, in ourselves and in our communities can help prevent perpetuating disinformation.
If you feel you or someone you know is experiencing any form of IPV there are several things you can do:
Be available to provide support in a non-judgemental way.
Offer access to resources, which can include seeing their own GP, seeking psychological support or accessing a helpline (some have been listed at the end).
As individuals and communities, we have a collective responsibility to support mothers experiencing domestic violence. This Mother’s Day, let’s take action by volunteering at shelters, advocating for policy changes, and offering a compassionate ear to those in need. By coming together to raise awareness and create safer environments for all mothers and families, we can make a tangible difference in the fight against domestic violence.
Mother’s Day may come and go, but the conversation about domestic violence and its impact on mothers must continue. Let’s keep the dialogue alive, not just on this special day, but every day of the year. Together, we can create a future where every mother feels safe, valued, and celebrated—free from the shadows of violence.
Support Services
If there is immediate danger, call 000
1800Respect
Reach Out
au.reachout.com/articles/domestic-violence-support
Collated support services across Australia on the White Ribbon website
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.