Children’s understanding of domestic violence needs to be addressed, Queensland Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Director said recently.

In support of visiting Bristol University academic Ellen Malos, Director Heather Nancarrow said ending violence in domestic relationships would stem from redefining attitudes and values in children.

“Through innovation in education we can develop attitudes that don’t accept violence as the norm,” she said.

“Ellen Malos’ UK-based research indicated only 9% of primary school and 28% of secondary school students understood domestic violence as being between parents and adults at home. Most believed violence and hitting defined domestic violence.” “Domestic violence extends to verbal, emotional, spiritual and financial abuse, as well as physical and sexual violence. In fact, physical and sexual assault often occur after other forms of abuse have gone unchallenged and escalate into more severe forms of violence. Therefore it seems children lack the knowledge to prevent the potential for domestic violence in their own future relationships.” She said a major problem is the association between masculinity and violence or aggression. “There needs to be widely accepted ways of being male and masculine that don’t involve violence and dominance and control over women.” “While there are different types of masculinity, currently there is not a widely accepted masculinity that rejects violence. This can be a real dilemma for boys and young men who want to fit in but recognise that violence is wrong.” “Even where children are not exposed to violence in their own homes, their attitudes are influenced by images and values through mass media such as television and computer games. It has been encouraging over recent years to see a few mainstream television programs, such as Blue Heelers, dealing with domestic violence in a positive way. Much more needs to be done though to get the message through to a much younger and more culturally diverse audience.” Ms Malos addressed a statewide forum in Mackay on February 12. The forum was video-linked to sites in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Emerald, Rockhampton and Roma.