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Saving FACE is an initiative undertaken by Muslim Women Australia (MWA) to develop and deliver key prevention activities to encourage men in preventing violence against women and children.
Family domestic violence (FDV), otherwise known as violence against women, refers to any act of gender-based violence that gives rise to physical, sexual or psychological harm to women – often characterised by violent or abusive behaviour by a partner as a means of arousing fear or a sense of being controlled.
On International Day of Peace, we launched a landmark resource for the domestic and family violence sector in Australia. This Sector Guide will build the sector’s capacity to engage in culturally, linguistically and religiously appropriate care.
MWA joined together with key partners and community members for a webinar launching the Saving FACE Sector Guide. Tune in for a discussion focused on making a difference and serving the community with purpose.
Did you know that domestic and family violence lies behind 40% of all murders? As startling as this may seem, this has actually been the case since 2013 in NSW alone. The most common victims are partners - often women - estranged by internal household issues around the notion of control and power. This is no minor matter - let’s take a stand against family domestic violence. Together.
Many would agree that domestic violence leaves profound effects on those affected by it, but did you know that more than 50% of women who experience violence also have children in their care? Research has repeatedly found that children exposed to domestic violence are more inclined to have emotional and behavioural issues. This is especially the case for violence around coercive and controlling family violence - often resulting in the development of social problems, depression and poor language skills. Children don’t deserve to be hurt by domestic violence - let’s take a stand against family domestic violence.
Around 1 in 5 women in Australia has experienced sexual violence at least once since they were 15. In numbers, this would amount to almost 2 million individuals - all having encountered unwanted physical contact, or the intent of sexual contact against their will. This is especially most common amongst women of the 15-19 age range - wherein their perpetrators are statistically most likely to be men from their same age group. We need to stop normalising violence against women - violence against women is never, ever ok.
All around Australia, police attend a call-out about domestic and family violence around once every 2 minutes. That brings the annual total to a staggering 262,800 cases per year - not to mention the countless other cases that are presumed to live through the silence. What we know about domestic violence is just the tip of the iceberg - research explains how most of the cases are typically submerged and invisible to society. Let’s raise awareness around domestic violence. Let’s put a stop to it all - together.
All around Australia, police attend a call-out about domestic and family violence around once every 2 minutes. That brings the annual total to a staggering 262,800 cases per year - not to mention the countless other cases that are presumed to live through the silence. What we know about domestic violence is just the tip of the iceberg - research explains how most of the cases are typically submerged and invisible to society. Let’s raise awareness around domestic violence. Let’s put a stop to it all - together.
What is the leading cause of homelessness for women in Australia? If you said, “domestic and family violence”, then you would be correct. In order to remain safe from a violent relationship and prolonged abuse, victims of violence often encounter the need to leave the family home. However, with limited finances and difficulty to find secure, affordable and immediately affordable housing, many women are forced to live on the streets out of necessity. Let’s look after the women of society - let’s take a stand against family domestic violence.
Social violence. It is a form of violence that forces its victims to live in social isolation. Examples of these include being restricted from meeting people or even accessing the car or telephone. For the average person, these may seem like things taken for granted, but for victims of social violence, even these everyday privileges are all stripped away. Let’s raise awareness around social violence. Let’s put a stop to it all - together.
Emotional violence is a serious issue that affects 1 in 4 women in Australia alone. Whether it be emotional blackmail or suicidal threats, countless forms of emotional violence leave drastic impacts on the lives of women. Let’s raise awareness around emotional violence. Let’s put an end to it all - together.
Cultural violence refers to the use of cultural beliefs in causing harm to its victims. Regardless of what cultures are being targeted, it is a serious issue that affects countless women. This is no minor matter - and can only be solved by tackling the notion of male dominance over women. Let’s raise awareness around cultural violence. Let’s put an end to it all - together.
Financial violence occurs when a victim’s access to money and finances are restricted, or even worse, taken away completely. Although it affects 16% of all women in Australia, this figure rises to a startling 90% of those who have experienced other forms of family and domestic violence. Financial violence may be one of the lesser-known forms of violence, but that doesn’t make its effects any worse - the UNSW Gendered Violence Research Network explains how its prevalence is because of gender inequality around financial security. Don’t let our women be subjugated to control - let’s put an end to financial violence.
Psychological violence refers to the use of verbal abuse, coercive behaviour or threatening actions to cause psychological trauma onto its victims. It is estimated to be the most common form of domestic violence around the world - affecting 48.4% of women at least once during their lifetime. This is a serious issue that many studies have found to even cause long-term damage to its victims’ mental health. Let’s raise awareness around psychological violence. Let’s put an end to it all - together.
Family violence is a subset of domestic violence that broadly refers to that taking place between members of the same family. In a study conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, that 1 in 14 respondents had experienced physical abuse from a family member. In most cases, these occurrences involve children - the demographic that is most vulnerable to family violence and its long-term effects. Don’t let family violence take over families - let’s put an end to domestic violence.
The Prophet (ﷺ) set the example that familial relationships should be based around love and respect. Despite all the differences between family members, it is important that there continues to be good opinions held regarding one another. Stemming into the gender inequality often associated with family and domestic violence, Islam holds a clear standpoint that this is something that it doesn’t condone. Treat your families as your faith taught - let’s put an end to family and domestic violence.
Did you know that in Islam, being there for family members is a measure of our own piety? The benefit we bring onto others is pleasing to Allah (SWT), and even more so when it is the benefit onto our dependents. Islam supports the notion of a cohesive family unit wherein its members look out for one another. Let’s all play an active role in strengthening the bonds between our family members.
As the Quran explains, “And of everything, We created a Pair, that perhaps you may remember.” (51:49) Islam suggests how both men and women are interconnected, and how our fulfilment relies on one another. Let’s keep those relationships between our dependents strong.
These are the three traits that the Prophet (ﷺ) always exhibited when interacting with his family members. As Muslims, it is our duty to remove harm when we see it, and even more so when it comes to those who live with us in our own homes. As the Prophet (ﷺ) explains, “Indeed among the believers with the most complete faith is the one who is the best in conduct and the most kind to his family.” Today, tomorrow and into the future, let’s all be kind to our families.
Islam advocates for harmonious homes and communities - which means that women have the right to economic security, education and independent thought. Let’s put the women of society in higher regard. It’s time to put an end to gender inequality.
The family unit in Islam is intended to be rooted in love and respect. It is pleasing to Allah (SWT) when we not only create a loving and harmonious environment for our family, but also serve their respective needs within the home. All family members deserve to be treated accordingly by each other Let’s treat our families the way Islam taught us.
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