15. Violence and Aggression

15.1  General
15.1.1  The DRS recognises that violence and aggression in society are major contributors to mortality and morbidity.  This includes emotional, physical, social and sexual violence.  It may involve individuals, groups or nations.

15.1.2  The DRS believes that socialisation and power disparities between individuals or groups play a crucial role in perpetuating violent and aggressive behaviour.

15.1.3  The DRS supports the availability of accessible, appropriate services for victims of violence and preventive and treatment services for perpetrators and those at risk of perpetrating violence.  (see also Women’s Health 8.1.5 and Men’s Health 8.3.6)

15.1.4  The DRS supports efforts world-wide to bring about the abolition of the death penalty and the elimination of torture.

15.2   Childhood
15.2.1  The DRS endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and recognises that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance.  The DRS believes children should be protected against all forms of violence.

15.2.2  The DRS opposes physical punishment.  The DRS believes this is an abuse of a child’s human rights, is ineffective, gives mixed messages and is damaging to an adult-child relationship.

15.2.3  The DRS believes in promoting principles of democratic rather than autocratic parenting and alternatives to physical punishment.

15.2.4  The DRS believes parents are better able to respond to a child’s needs when their own needs are met (eg adequate finances, childcare, parenting education, support).

15.2.5  The DRS believes schools should have clear discipline policies linked to student welfare, fostering self-discipline rather than relying on punitive discipline.

15.2.6  The DRS recognises that bullying in schools can have deleterious short-term and long-term effects on the victims, the perpetrators and others.  The DRS believes there should be consistent school policies targeting all forms of harassment and discrimination.  Students, teachers, parents and the community should be involved.

15.2.7  The DRS supports the fostering of listening, assertive and conflict resolution skills in children as an alternative to aggression; the encouragement of cooperative rather than competitive play; and the use of creative rather than aggressive or war toys.

15.2.8  The DRS condemns the gratuitous portrayal of violence in children’s television shows and videos.

15.2.9  Child Abuse (which can involve neglect, emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse):  The DRS supports the provision of accessible, appropriate acute and on-going services aimed at protecting the child and rehabilitating the family.  Preventive measures need to address risk factors for abuse such as vulnerability of parents or guardians, stressful living conditions, special characteristics of the child and complacency within society.

15.3   Domestic Violence
15.3.1  The DRS believes that most  domestic violence is perpetrated by men against their female partners and their children but elder abuse, sibling abuse and violence by women against men, women against women and men against men also occurs.  Domestic Violence includes emotional, physical and sexual abuse between partners and close relatives involving an unequal power relationship.

15.3.2  The DRS believes that prevention of domestic violence involves challenging sexist social values and social acceptance of violence in the home.  Part of the preventive process should also involve educating children about recognising the human rights of women, children and elderly.

15.3.3  The DRS believes that an intersectoral approach involving the police, the legal system, housing, social security system, the clergy, and the health system is necessary to reduce the incidence and impact of domestic violence.

15.3.4  The DRS calls for improvement in the effectiveness of police protection of victims in violent situations and for strengthening of the legal measures which enable victims to retain residence in the family home and legal sanctions on violent domestic crime.

15.3.5  The DRS supports the existing women’s refuges and counselling services available but calls for further funding to expand theses services especially for those that serve Aboriginal women and women of non-English speaking background and services in rural areas.

15.3.6  The DRS believes that more medical education and training is required at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the area of domestic violence.  Particular emphasis should be on a non judgmental, sympathetic, confidential approach to victims.

15.3.7  The DRS supports existing community media programs which promote the seriousness and criminality of domestic violence in the community.

15.4   Sexual Assault
15.4.1  The DRS believes prevention of sexual assault entails challenging prejudicial sexual stereotypes, rape myths and societal beliefs and cultural values that promote or condone sexual violence.

15.4.2  The DRS supports the provision of support services for both women and men including 24 hr acute sexual assault services (providing crisis counselling and medical care) and on-going services.  The DRS recognises some issues may be different for women and men but their overall needs are similar.

15.4.3  The DRS believes sexual assault services should be non-threatening and non-judgmental.  The client should be given control over the proceedings and information to help make an informed decision with provisions for delayed decision making.  On-going counselling should be made available.
(see also Women’s Health 8.1.5)

15.5   Gun Control
15.5.1  The DRS recognises the relationship guns in society have with violence and accidents.  The DRS supports national uniform gun legislation to minimise access to and the number of guns in Australia.

15.5.2  The DRS believes gun legislation should include licences to own, possess or use a gun, permits for all guns, regulations for safe storage and a central register of all guns and licence holders.

15.5.3  The DRS believes in strict conditions for the issuing of gun licenses, including a legitimate reason for possession or use, no history of violence (e.g. assault, threatening behaviour, domestic violence) and passing a standardised, comprehensive course in gun handling and safety.

15.5.4  The DRS believes in strict requirements for safe gun storage.  Guns should not be stored in homes in the urban situation and should be locked in secure conditions in e.g. sporting clubs or farms.

15.5.5  The DRS believes in the prohibition of certain types of guns such as automatic and semi-automatic weapons and tight restrictions on handguns.

15.5.6  The DRS believes in tight regulation of who can carry guns (e.g.. police and private security guards) and what types of gun.  This should require rigorous on-going training in gun handling and conflict resolution.

15.5.7  The DRS believes in uniform registration of private security guards and crowd controllers (“bouncers”) requiring certificate courses involving non-violent conflict resolution.

15.6. Peace and Disarmament
15.6.1  The DRS believes that human conflict and regional instability are exacerbated by military activity and that this poses a significant threat to the quality of life of the world’s people.  Disarmament and peace initiatives are essential for future peace, stability and health.

15.6.2  The DRS opposes the construction and export of military hardware and expertise by Australia.  It is our belief that the militarisation of Australia is a significant contributing factor in regional instability and we consider that a more appropriate policy would be to decrease the emphasis on military might.

15.6.3  The DRS opposes Australia’s participation in the nuclear fuel cycle by the export of uranium and the continued acceptance of nuclear-armed and -powered war machines.  This not only places the health of those in the vicinity at risk on the event of an accident but fails to pressure the nuclear powers to reconsider their stance on nuclear power. (see also 14. Issues from Nuclear Technology)

15.6.4  The DRS believes that regional security is broader than just a military issue.  Such issues as economic security, confidence building, arms control, disarmament, human rights, adequate and equitable health care, appropriate education, family planning, income security and appropriate services (housing, clean water, adequate waste disposal and sufficient good food) are much more important determinants of regional security.

15.6.5  The DRS believes the construction and sale of landmines must be made illegal throughout the world and the international community must help all countries with existing landmines to dispose of them safely.