intergenerational trauma and domestic violence

Examples of family violence include: abuse perpetrated by intimate partners or ex intimate partners, abuse of older people, forced marriage, pregnancy coercion, children witnessing abuse against a parent, dowry-related abuse, restricting access to or withholding money, online stalking or distributing intimate photographs online without consent. It occurs within a range of relationships including: intimate partners, children and infants by parents, between siblings, child to parent, towards older people, between other members of a broader family or kinship network, within family like relationships such as carers. Such behaviour applies to physical, sexual, reproductive, psychological, verbal, social, spiritual, financial, technological abuse or coercive control which takes place in a current or previous relationship.įamily violence encompasses intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect and intrafamilial violence. Psychiatrists with appropriate training also have a role to play in advocacy and broad-based prevention, using a public health and prevention-based approach, such as by building community awareness and networking with local services.įor the purposes of this position statement, family violence will be defined as a pattern of gendered violent or coercive behaviour being used against those with whom there is a familial or intimate relationship.It is recognised as a social problem rooted in gender inequality and power imbalance, one that results in significant mental health burden. Causal factors of family violence are multiple, and complex.Care for people who are exposed to family violence must be evidence-based, culturally competent and safe, and appropriately targeted to those who are experiencing or perpetrating family violence.Inquiry into current or past history of family violence must be part of a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. Psychiatrists are essential in multidisciplinary teams, both in public and private practice, in caring for people who are experiencing mental health issues as a result of exposure to family violence and to those who are referred for treatment for perpetrating family violence.Mental health and addiction services have a significant role to play in identifying family violence, responding to those who disclose abuse and to those who abuse, assessing needs and risks, providing support and interventions, as well as referring to specialist agencies.There is a strong and complex association between family violence and mental health, recognising that people living with and leaving family violence will need psychological as well as physical safety.

Family violence is a significant global public health, social and human rights issue which affects all countries, communities, cultures, religions and socioeconomic groups throughout the lifespan.

This position statement describes the role of psychiatrists in supporting the mental health of those who have experienced, or who are experiencing, family violence and those who perpetrate family violence.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recognises the significant and pervasive impacts of family violence 1.

Intergenerational trauma and domestic violence