Domestic Violence Services For Women In Remote And Regional Australia

Running head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES 1

Domestic Violence Services for Women in Remote and Regional Australia

Name

Institutional Affiliation

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

Domestic Violence Services for Women in Remote and Regional Australia

Introduction

The rate of domestic violence in remote and regional Australia has continued to rise.

Most of the women living in sparsely populated and remote regions are susceptible to domestic

violence from their spouses and partners as compared to those living in the metropolitan areas.

This has resulted in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. According to Stunzner (2015), six

women die every month in Australia as a result of domestic violence. Moreover, Dillon (2015)

and Donnermeyer (2016), as well as Hogg and Carrington (2005), affirm that 26 per cent of

women, mostly between the ages of 25 and 44 years who live in remote Australian regions, have

been victims of domestic violence. This is because such women are vulnerable to spousal or

partner abuse since there is higher access to firearms and misuse of alcohol in the rural areas. On

the same note, living in rural areas tend to limit women from leaving violent-related relationships

since they are isolated from others and have to travel for a long distance in order to get help from

their friends, police, support services, and family members (Dillon, 2015). Donnermeyer (2016)

asserts that men are highly likely to become violent towards women as a way of exercising

power, reestablishing their status, enforcing boundaries, and contesting the rise of women’s

sociocultural and economic status. Therefore, there is a need to have domestic violence services

in the region in order to curb the heightened cases of mortality and abuse. It is unfortunate that a

range of related services is no longer carried out by the Government, mostly in remote and

regional remote Australian communities; hence, the responsibility of delivering relevant services

either virtually or by face to face has fallen on the hands of the human service workers such as

lawyers, educators, nurses, and social workers (Donnermeyer, 2016). Therefore, this discourse

aims at giving a limelight on the strengths and weaknesses of delivering domestic violence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

services to remote communities in Australia via virtual service models and face to face. It also

identifies and discusses the challenges that are faced by human services workers in both

approaches. Finally, it gives insights to professional strategies that should be employed in order

to improve regional and remote skills.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Delivering Domestic Violence Services via Face-to-Face

Strengths

In delivering of domestic violence services, face to face is integral to building a lasting

and meaningful relationship with the social workers, educators or health care providers. It also

helps the human service workers to read the body language or the non-verbal cues of the client

unlike in the case where one is using Skype, and they do not want to be visible or using emails to

relay information and possibly maintain anonymity. For instance, in case they do not maintain

eye contact or seem distracted, it is easy to deduce that, maybe, they are uncomfortable sharing

information or they have a problem that needs to be addressed. It is also highly likely that

delivering of services in person helps in boosting efficiency (Howard et al., 2016). This is

because instead of the human service workers such as the doctors or social workers spending

their entire day e-mailing their clients back and forth, it is possible to relay all the details at a go

without having to keep asking for clarification in order to gauge the needs of the clients. As such,

such a face-to-face method can also help the two parties brainstorm on the way forward such as

attending counselling services or seeking legal help (Howard et al., 2016). There is also a

personal touch that comes with this method amongst the local women facing domestic violence.

The more a client interacts with a nurse, lawyer, or social worker, the more they build trust;

hence, there is improved healing. However, this is not possible with technological-mediated

conversations since the client is likely to feel the distance and might be reluctant to share all the

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

information since he or she suspects that the professionals might fail to maintain confidentiality.

Additionally, the face-to-face method helps the social workers to assess the client fully, carry out

home visits in order to evaluate the family and examine their needs. This also aids in direct

interview, evaluation of the environment, and writing down the findings (Chui & Wilson, 2006;

Howard et al., 2016).

Weaknesses

Research reveals that remote and rural women rarely rely on social support services since

there are a few domestic violence service centres. Moreover, in a case where such face-to-face

services fail to deliver as expected, the victims end up being more isolated. It should also be

noted that the remote community context is also a determinant on ways in which sensitive issues

like domestic violence is handled. This means that social isolation, as well as geographical

location, inhibits disclosure. In addition, remoteness tends to increase the likelihood of people

knowing each other, therefore builds a climate that leads to more control and a need to conceal

issues regarding violence (Donnermeyer, 2016). Therefore, Donnermeyer (2016) avers that most

of the rural women in Australia experience fear, embarrassment, and shame once they undergo

any form of violence. These issues are compounded by problems regarding confidentiality and

anonymity, mostly in small communities. With face-to-face delivering of services, it becomes

hard for the women to uphold their anonymity since there are fewer services to choose from.

Therefore, as much as they would want to disclose their problems without others getting to know

them, the issue of invisibility is unlikely. Therefore, it is possible for the victims to shy off from

accessing domestic violence services due to mortification or fear that other people will get to

know their personal issues.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

The other main problem with face-to-face service delivery is that it increases paperwork.

This is because a professional such as a social worker is required to go for home visits and

interview the victim as he or she writes down the results. This might result in him or her falling

behind on all his or her paperwork or missing important details since the meeting is not recorded

(Chui & Wilson, 2006; Pugh & Cheers, 2010).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Delivering Services via Virtual Service Models

Strengths

Bullock and Colvin (2015) assert that the use of virtual models such as audio

conferencing, emails, video, and the internet in delivering domestic violence services is

paramount. This is because it helps the social workers to access important information from

various sites and browsers such as Google Scholar on how they can help victims of domestic

violence (Rice et al., 2015). Moreover, it helps them to stay up-to-date with the current data on

the issue at hand and ways more clients and perpetrators can be helped. Therefore, the use of

technology also helps rural communities to get into contact with more regional clients who have

access to the internet, thus reducing the costs of travelling, enhancing efficiency, and making

sure that information is delivered on time. The use of virtual modes also helps in expanding

networks that empower women since they bridge the gap that emanates from physical distance.

For instance, a victim of domestic violence can be able to get legal assistance remotely through

Skype or internet-oriented videos. In addition, other virtual sites such as Facebook can help in

bringing rural women together whereby they can share their stories on ways they overcame

domestic violence. In addition, the social workers can use virtual models in providing training

for these women on how they can prevent domestic violence (Rice et al., 2015). For instance, the

national plan to reduce violence against women and their children in Australia has made

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AUSTRALIA

immense strides in helping understand how women can prevent such incidences. This is because

the plan adopted a social marketing campaign, which is an important way of using technology to

reach more women who are isolated due to different reasons such as unemployment. Therefore,

virtual models help in developing and adopting a prevention initiative in remote and regional

areas by challenging the discriminatory cultural and social norms as well as gender-related

stereotypes that condone violence against females. The modern format such as webinars can also

be utilised to train lawyers, health workers, and human service workers on domestic violence and

how to handle victims of such. It can also help in reaching the perpetrators to understand why

they act as they do and suggest ways they can channel or manage their anger without hurting

their partners (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2012).

Moreover, the virtual modes help the victims to get access to health services. It should be

noted that there are limited resources and infrastructure in the remote regions. As a result, it

becomes hard for the victims of domestic violence to get access to healthcare. In that case,

virtual models such as use of video or emails can help the victim to speak directly to a health

provider without incurring transportation costs (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2012). In

addition, the use of technology amongst human service workers is beneficial since professionals

such as the social workers are able to manage their clients and time. It helps in keeping their

records as well as sharing relevant and meaningful information (Martin, 2009).

Virtual resources such as podcasts can also help in service delivery. This is because the

victims can download educational or counselling materials in which they get to understand what

they should do in case they face domestic violence in future and how they can prevent it. The

live video interactions are also paramount since the human service workers can counsel women

facing domestic violence or the perpetrators on ways they can manage their temper without

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

hurting their spouses. This tool is quite important since a large group of people can participate in

diverse locations or remotely (Perron et al., 2010).

Weaknesses

However, although the use of emails, video, internet, and audio-conferencing, amongst

others, have started to slowly challenge the traditional face-to face mode of delivering services,

virtual models have their shares of flaws or weaknesses. This is because for the clients to benefit

from this mode of service, they need to have stable access of the internet, which is not often

possible in the rural communities. In that case, this leaves the clients and the professionals with

only one choice of delivering domestic violence services, using the face-to-face method.

Moreover, most of the local people do not have the technological skills to access, for instance,

emails or use videos. They often find virtual models a bit unfamiliar; hence, most of them would

be unwilling to use them. Research also shows that local clients do not trust technological

methods in maintaining their confidentiality, hence tend to shy away from utilising them

(Australian Human Rights Commission, 2012). In addition, unlike face-to-face delivering of

services, virtual methods can result in miscommunication. This is because it is hard to read the

tone or the body language of the human service worker; therefore, information relayed can be

misinterpreted. On the same note, with the modern hacking and cyber-security problems,

information shared is not 100 per cent secure and without the right measures it can land in the

hands of a third party. This means that not all cloud computing and e-mail systems are fully

reliable and secure (Perron et al., 2010). Consequently, any breach in security can result in

breach of data and, thereafter, to legal ramifications as well as lack of trust amongst the victims

or clients. The virtual models can also be unreliable in a case where there is poor access of the

internet or the phones and computers do not have enough power. Furthermore, it is possible for

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

the information to get erased or lost in case there is a system failure. As a result, it becomes hard

for the victims to access such services (Perron et al., 2010).

Challenges Faced by Human Service Workers in Delivering Services Using Virtual Service

Models

The human service workers that work with rural communities in Australia need specific

skills that go beyond those that are required by urban or metropolitan practitioners. They are

required to have the sensitivity as well as the local knowledge of the particular concerns and

needs of their clients in order to be more effective. However, some of the social workers and

lawyers do not have the technological skills that are required in order to be more competent, stay

up-to-date with the current related research, and ensure that they help their clients without

necessarily having to see them. For instance, there are some who do not know how to reach their

clients, using telecommunications. As a result, they are unable to exchange important

information through electronic means such as telegraphs, videos, audio-conferencing, email,

internet, or fibre optics. In that case, they do not get to contact a large number of clients

(Giddings, Hook & Nielsen, 2001).

In addition, the use of virtual modes can be challenging in a case where the client is

unfamiliar with such delivery. Therefore, it becomes a problem for the social worker to contact

clients, using aspects such as video-conferencing or emails as most of the rural people are

uneducated, therefore lack the necessary technological skills. In that case, any attempt on the

human service workers to try and introduce such a method or non-face-to-face-services is

perceived as unsupportive and intimidating. Since the use of internet and computers is not a

normal way of life amongst remote communities, training, costs, and continuous support become

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AUSTRALIA

a major issue for the human service workers who have to travel and incur expenses in order to

help victims of domestic violence (Bryant et al., 2017).

The Australian Human Rights Commission (n.d.) also establishes that the other major

challenge that social workers face in delivering domestic violence services, using virtual modes,

is that there is inadequate access to the right technological infrastructure to the remote and

regional areas of Australia. The lack of telecommunications-oriented infrastructure is a major

challenge for the professionals. This is because they are left at times to shoulder the costs of

updating and providing infrastructure for their clients. Moreover, the lack of internet providers in

these regions makes access to the internet quite expensive as compared to those regions that have

access to such providers. As a result, the human service workers are unable to meet the needs of

their clients on time or develop prevention and other significant programmes (Australian Human

Rights Commission).

The human service workers also face a major problem when dealing with outdated

technology. This is because the lack of appropriate tools can cause grave issues, leading to

burnout, fiscal constraints, high caseloads, and inability to make important decisions due to

inaccurate, obsolete, and fragmented information (Perron et al., 2010).

Challenges Faced by Human Service Workers in Delivery Services Using the Face-to-Face

Method

The human service workers who deliver face-to-face domestic violence services face a lot

of challenges. This is because such a method requires them to do a lot of paperwork as they

examine their clients, interview, and analyse their needs. This can result in fatigue or burnout,

which can demoralise and discourage them from meeting the needs of their clients. Moreover,

since their clients are local and most of them do not have stable jobs or a stable source of

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

income, it is possible for professionals such as lawyers to deliver services without being paid.

This results in lack of morale to work with such a group (Hook & Nielsen, 2001). It is also

possible for them to be confronted by the perpetrators of violence, mostly in small communities

where almost everyone knows that the victim is seeking for help. This means that they may

endanger their lives in the process, considering that they are not provided with security. There

are also circumstances whereby the clients tend to seek their help during odd hours, mostly if

they live in the neighbourhood, therefore lack time for their families and end up suffering from

exhaustion. Furthermore, the clients might be unwilling to share information or be uncooperative

due to lack of trust. Consequently, they are unable to meet their needs on time, which can be

frustrating. The human service workers are also likely to face a language barrier. Most of these

women communicate in their local dialects; hence, the professionals are forced to look for an

interpreter. That kind of arrangement ends up hindering meaningful relationship since it becomes

hard for the client to build trust, thus ends up leaving a lot of important information (Giddings,

Hook & Nielsen, 2001).

Professional Development Strategies for Improving Regional/Remote Skills

In order to ensure efficiency in delivering of services and improving regional skills, there

is a need for all the stakeholders such as the Government, health providers, legal practitioners,

educators, community elders, and social workers, amongst others, to come together and devise

ways in which they can ensure that everybody is computer literate. Therefore, it is important to

invest in related training in order to realise the benefits that come with virtual models. Moreover,

it is important for the social workers to educate their clients on the use of virtual models such as

email and videos. This will help them in building confidence and trust that client confidentiality

will be maintained, and there is no course for alarm. However, in a circumstance where the local

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

AUSTRALIA

people are still adamant on using such services, it is important to locate services at an area where

clients can be attending in order to preserve their confidentiality such as in health or community

centres (Giddings, Hook & Nielsen, 2001).

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission (2012), there is also a need to

improve the regional skills by ensuring that there is adequate funding to support plans that

require face-to-face or virtual modes. The introduction of specific prevention programmes and

accessible counselling centres or services for minority, vulnerable, and disabled women should

be prioritised. It is also important for the human service workers to continue embracing

technology and, at the same time, focus on balancing it with face-to-face service delivery since

both options have their shares of advantages and disadvantages (Martin, 2009).

Conclusion

Women who live in remote and regional Australian communities have diverse and

complex needs that emanate from the increased cases of domestic violence. Both face-to-face

and virtual models offer an array of innovative and efficient means of connecting them to related

services. However, they also have their shares of weakness that tend negatively to the population

under scrutiny. The human service workers face a lot of challenges when using these two

approaches; hence, there is a need for them to balance between the two and focus on providing

training to the local women in order for them to realise the benefits that come with delivering of

domestic violence services both virtually and face to face.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL

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References

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Australian Human Rights Commission. (2012). Connecting women through technology and

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Bryant, L., Garnham, B.,Tedmanson, D & Diamandi, S. (2017). Tele-social work and mental

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Howard, A., Katrak, M., Blakemore, T & Pallas, P. (2016). Rural, regional and remote social

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Martin, J. (2009). Information communication technologies for human service education and

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Retrieved from http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/3355163/domestic-

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