It’s in everyone’s hands and hearts to make change. Women, in particular, have been working in communities across the world, striving and advocating for communities to move beyond awareness-raising, and towards tangible action. Women through advocation and negotiation have slowly been weaving women’s rights and gender equality into our everyday behaviour, practice, and the economic, cultural and social fabric of our communities. Working and moving beyond raising awareness of gender-based violence to demand accountability for violence against women and the elimination of gendered discrimination.
Here are some books written by women who have been working to end gendered violence.
Content note: these books have reference to themes/topics including violence, gendered violence and sexual assault.
Rosie Batty knows pain no woman should have to suffer. Her son was killed by his father in a violent incident in February 2014, a horrendous event that shocked not only the nation, but the world. Greg Anderson murdered his 11-year-old son Luke and was then shot by police at the Tyabb cricket oval. Rosie had suffered years of family violence, and had had intervention and custody orders in place in an effort to protect herself and her son. She believes the killing was Greg's final act of control over her.
Since the events of last February, Rosie has become an outspoken crusader against domestic violence, winning hearts and mind all over Australia with her compassion, courage, grace and forgiveness. In the wake of the tragedy, Rosie's advocacy work has forced an unprecedented national focus on family violence, with the Victorian Labor government establishing Australia's first royal commission into family violence, and committing a further 30 million dollars over four years to protect women and children at high risk of family violence. The then Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay called it 'the Rosie Batty factor'. In January 2015, Rosie was named Australian of the Year, 2015. Inspiring, heartfelt and profoundly moving, this is Rosie's story.
A journalist's intimate investigation of the true scope of domestic violence, revealing how the roots of America's most pressing social crises are buried in abuse that happens behind closed doors. We call it domestic violence. We call it private violence. Sometimes we call it intimate terrorism. But whatever we call it, we generally do not believe it has anything at all to do with us, despite the World Health Organization deeming it a "global epidemic." In America, domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime, and yet it remains locked in silence, even as its tendrils reach unseen into so many of our most pressing national issues, from our economy to our education system, from mass shootings to mass incarceration to #MeToo. We still have not taken the true measure of this problem.
In No Visible Bruises, journalist Rachel Louise Snyder gives context for what we don't know we're seeing. She frames this urgent and immersive account of the scale of domestic violence in our country around key stories that explode the common myths-that if things were bad enough, victims would just leave; that a violent person cannot become nonviolent; that shelter is an adequate response; and most insidiously that violence inside the home is a private matter, sealed from the public sphere and disconnected from other forms of violence. Through the stories of victims, perpetrators, law enforcement, and reform movements from across the country, Snyder explores the real roots of private violence, its far-reaching consequences for society, and what it will take to truly address it.
Blame Changer by psychologist Carmel O'Brien provides answers to common questions and aims to debunk myths around domestic violence. Blame Changer is also a practical guide that will help victims of abuse and shows friends and family how to help.
A woman's journey of spirit and strength and the impact of domestic violence. Based on a true story, set in Melbourne, this book spans fifty years from the 1940s to the end of the 20th century. The trauma of domestic violence, experienced during Jenny and David's childhood impacts the life choices both siblings make. David follows in his father's footsteps and Jenny enters into a dysfunctional marriage. Inspired by true events, it illustrates what happens is not as important as what we do about it. It highlights Jenny's strength and spirit and her inner journey while coming to terms with her past.
At the office of Safe Steps, Victoria's dedicated 24/7 family violence response call centre, phone counsellors receive a call every three minutes. Many women are repeat callers - on average, they will go back to an abusive partner eight times before leaving for good. Domestic abuse is a national emergency: one in four Australian women has experienced violence from a man she was intimate with. But too often we ask the wrong question: why didn’t she leave? We should be asking: why did he do it?
Investigative journalist Jess Hill puts perpetrators – and the systems that enable them – in the spotlight. See What You Made Me Do is a deep dive into the abuse so many women and children experience – abuse that is often reinforced by the justice system they trust to protect them. Critically, it shows that we can drastically reduce domestic violence – not in generations to come, but today. Combining forensic research with riveting storytelling, See What You Made Me Do radically rethinks how to confront the national crisis of fear and abuse in our homes.
For primary response and/or advice, Respect Victoria recommends engaging with one of the following services:
- If you are experiencing family violence, concerned for your safety, or in an emergency situation please call 000 for urgent police assistance. More information can be found on the family violence page of the Victoria Police website.
- 1800 Respect is a national hotline operated by trained counselors. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support people impacted by family violence, please call 1800 737 732. More information can be found on the 1800 Respect website.
- Safe Steps is a family violence support centre providing assistance for women, members of the community who identify as female or transfeminine, as well as their children. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call 1800 015 188 or try their live web chat service available 9am-9pm, Monday - Friday. Chats are anonymous and accessible to anyone experiencing violence or concerned about the welfare of a loved one. More information can be found on the Safe Steps website.
- MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call 1300 789 978. More information can be found on the MensLine Australia website.
- No to Violence is the peak body for organisations and individuals working with men to end family violence. No to Violence provides telephone counselling, information and referrals. Please call 1300 766 491. More information can be found on the No to Violence website.
- Victims Support Agency is the official Victorian Government Agency helping people in Victoria manage the effects of violent crime, including legal considerations. Please call 1800 819 817 or the text service on 0427 767 891. More information can be found on the Victims Support Agency website.
- Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) provides assistance to people with legal problems in areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters. They provide an interpreter service in 14 other languages. Call 1300 792 387 for more information. More information can be found on the VLA website.
- Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) provides information and advice to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights of older people. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, call SRV's confidential helpline: 1300 368 821. More information can be found on the Senior Rights Victoria website.
Other referral pathways
- Djirra is a culturally safe place where culture is celebrated and practical support is available. Call 1800 105 303 or visit the Djirra Aboriginal Family Violence Preventions and Legal Services website.
- InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence is a specialist family violence service that works with multicultural women, their families and their communities. Call 1800 755 988 or visit the InTouch website.
- Queerspace provides for community, by community counselling. Call Drummond Street Services on 9663 6733 or visit the queerspace website.
Written by YPRL Stafff Member Marie McMahon