Latest news with #TentoMen
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
One in three Australian men say they have committed intimate partner violence
More than one in three men in Australia have reported using violence with an intimate partner in a first of its kind study which shows gender-based abuse is rising, despite years of national attention on the issue. The research was part of a longitudinal study called Ten to Men by Australia's Institute of Family Studies, which began in 2013 and now involves around 24,000 boys and men. Intimate partner violence is defined as emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The study found that the number of men using violence with their partners has risen over the past decade. Last time the survey was conducted in 2013-2014, roughly 1 in 4 (24 per cent) men had committed intimate partner violence. That figure has risen to 1 in 3 (35 per cent). That equates to about 120,000 men using intimate partner violence for the first time each year. In 2022, the government launched its 10-year National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, with a majority priority of advancing gender equality. But since January last year, 100 women have been killed nationwide, according to Counting Dead Women. Recent protests have called for the government to do much more to end gender-based violence. 'The fact that one in three men in the study reported using intimate partner violence should shake every Australian,' violence against women advocate and co-founder of Not One More Niki Tarang Chawla said. Chawla's siter, Nikita, was killed by her former partner in 2015. 'She was one of the women these numbers speak to,' Chawla said. 'We've known this is a crisis, but now we have the data to back what victim-survivors, families and advocates have been saying for years: this is widespread, and it's preventable.' Study shows father figures matter Emotional abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence reported in the Ten to Men study, with 32 per cent of men reporting they had made an intimate partner 'feel frightened or anxious', up from 21 per cent in 2013-2014. And around nine per cent of the men reported they had 'hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt' an intimate partner. Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62 per cent times more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 compared to those who had not had these symptoms, while men with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent times as likely, the study found. The findings of the Ten to Men study not only underscore the extent of the problem — they also offer key lessons for policymakers looking to tackle the issue, clinical epidemiologist and program lead for the study Sean Martin said. While much of the existing research in Australia on intimate partner violence has rightly focused on survivors and their stories, this study takes a new approach by studying perpetrators to better understand how to prevent violence, Martin said. It's the first Australian study to examine how affection in father-son relationships during childhood relate to later use of intimate partner violence. The study found men with higher levels of social support in 2013-2014 were 26 per cent less likely to start using intimate partner violence by 2022, compared to men who had less support. Men with strong father-son relationships were also less likely to become violent. Men who strongly agreed that they had received affection from a father or father figure during childhood were 48 per cent less likely to use intimate partner violence compared to men who strongly disagreed. These findings lend strong support for initiatives to support men's mental health in Australia, as well as community supports and programs for young dads, Martin said. Susan Heward-Belle, a professor at the University of Sydney, said the study shows the importance of fathers modelling respect for women, emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion to their children. 'For a very long time, a lot of that emotional, social, nurturance-type work has been seen as women's responsibilities within families.' Heward-Belle, who was not involved in the Ten to Men study, said it is crucial to explore further how feelings of entitlement and anger can develop. 'We also know that there are some men who perpetrate domestic and family violence who arguably have had good relationships with both parents.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
One in three Australian men say they have committed intimate partner violence, study reveals
More than one in three men in Australia reported using violence with an intimate partner in a first of its kind study which shows gender-based abuse is rising, despite years of national attention on the issue. The research was part of a longitudinal study called Ten to Men by Australia's Institute of Family Studies, which began in 2013 and now involves around 24,000 boys and men. Intimate partner violence is defined as emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The study found that the number of men using violence with their partners has risen over the past decade. Last time the survey was conducted in 2013-2014, roughly 1 in 4 (24%) men had committed intimate partner violence. That figure rose to 1 in 3 (35%). That equates to about 120,000 men using intimate partner violence for the first time each year, pointing to a worrying trend in a country which has long grappled with how to combat gender-based violence. In 2022, the Australian government launched its 10-year National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children with a majority priority of advancing gender equality. But since January last year, 100 women have been killed in Australia, according to Counting Dead Women. Recent protests have called for the government to do much more to end gender-based violence. 'The fact that one in three men in the study reported using intimate partner violence should shake every Australian,' said Tarang Chawla, a violence against women advocate and co-founder of Not One More Niki. Chawla's siter, Nikita, was killed by her ex-partner in 2015. 'She was one of the women these numbers speak to,' Chawla said. 'We've known this is a crisis, but now we have the data to back what victim-survivors, families and advocates have been saying for years: this is widespread, and it's preventable.' Emotional abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence reported in the Ten to Men study, with 32% of men reporting they had made an intimate partner 'feel frightened or anxious,' up from 21% in 2013-2014. And around 9% of the men reported they had 'hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt' an intimate partner. Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62% times more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 compared to those who had not had these symptoms, while men with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47% times as likely, the study found. The findings of the Ten to Men study not only underscore the extent of the problem – they also offer key lessons for policymakers looking to tackle the issue, said Sean Martin, a clinical epidemiologist and program lead for the study. While much of the existing research in Australia on intimate partner violence has rightly focused on survivors and their stories, Martin said, this study takes a new approach by studying perpetrators to better understand how to prevent violence. It's the first Australian study to examine how affection in father-son relationships during childhood relate to later use of intimate partner violence. The study found men with higher levels of social support in 2013-2014 were 26% less likely to start using intimate partner violence by 2022, compared to men who had less support. Men with strong father-son relationships were also less likely to become violent. Men who strongly agreed that they had received affection from a father or father figure during childhood were 48% less likely to use intimate partner violence compared to men who strongly disagreed. These findings lend strong support for initiatives to support men's mental health in Australia, as well as community supports and programs for young dads, Martin said. Susan Heward-Belle, a professor at the University of Sydney, said the study shows the importance of fathers modeling respect for women, emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion to their children. 'For a very long time, a lot of that emotional, social, nurturance-type work has been seen as women's responsibilities within families.' Heward-Belle, who was not involved in the Ten to Men study, said it is crucial to explore further how feelings of entitlement and anger can develop. 'We also know that there are some men who perpetrate domestic and family violence who arguably have had good relationships with both parents.'
Sydney Morning Herald
03-06-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
A good father helps stop boys committing abuse in relationships later in life, study finds
A spokesperson for the institute said it was unclear if man-o-sphere personalities such as Andrew Tate had influenced the apparent increase among younger men. The study takes a public health approach that considers improving men's health and wellbeing in relation to preventing intimate partner violence. Professor Kelsey Hegarty, a GP and joint chair in Family Violence Prevention at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, said men with serious, depressive mental ill health should be asked how disagreements were handled in their relationships, 'if it is safe to do so'. 'Some are really dangerous men, this is not for everybody, but [it is] for a group of men who may be doing things they regret: yelling, controlling, occasionally hitting,' said Hegarty, leader of the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence. 'But if you do this early engagement in a gentle way, engage them with some empathy, [you can] then make them accountable.' Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 (62 per cent) than those who did not have these symptoms. Those with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to use partner violence, and those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Nine per cent of respondents said they had hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when they were angry. The project lead, Dr Sean Martin, said the research represented the first time the influence of the quality of men's relationships with their fathers had been examined in the context of their later use of forms of intimate partner violence. 'Guys were asked qualitative questions about their fathers or father figures, if they understood their worries and problems, taught them about life, gave them the love and affection they felt they needed,' Martin said. 'Those who answered, 'agree or strongly agree', were far less likely to use intimate partner violence.' High levels of social support 'all of the time' were found to reduce the likelihood of men using violence by 26 per cent. The report noted mental ill-health was high among Australian men, estimates suggesting that up to 25 per cent of men would be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Martin said the strong link between attentive fathering and reduced risk of men using violence in later relationships suggested programs for new fathers could help provide them important support as they managed the change and were engaged in their child's development. 'Men are looking for support services during this critical stage,' he said. 'There has been this societal shift where men are likely to be primary caregivers, which is great, but we're playing a little bit of catch-up in society as to the access they get those support services.' Martin said this part of the Ten to Men project would continue to delve into factors in men's lives that contributed to the likelihood they would use partner violence. 'Hopefully, this will provide better quality evidence for interventions around perpetration and family safety issues,' he said. Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, an international family violence research leader, of Monash University, said: 'The data clearly shows that men's mental health and relationships matter – not as excuses for violence, but as earlier points of intervention. 'One of the key findings from this study is the protective effect of strong relationships with a father figure. This reinforces the importance of positive male role modelling and points to an important opportunity for prevention.' Loading She said governments must act to scale up evidence-based prevention and early intervention initiatives tailored for people who use violence. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning, but not surprising. 'It's critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we're funding programs that stop it at the start,' she said.
The Age
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
A good father helps stop boys committing abuse in relationships later in life, study finds
A spokesperson for the institute said it was unclear if man-o-sphere personalities such as Andrew Tate had influenced the apparent increase among younger men. The study takes a public health approach that considers improving men's health and wellbeing in relation to preventing intimate partner violence. Professor Kelsey Hegarty, a GP and joint chair in Family Violence Prevention at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, said men with serious, depressive mental ill health should be asked how disagreements were handled in their relationships, 'if it is safe to do so'. 'Some are really dangerous men, this is not for everybody, but [it is] for a group of men who may be doing things they regret: yelling, controlling, occasionally hitting,' said Hegarty, leader of the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence. 'But if you do this early engagement in a gentle way, engage them with some empathy, [you can] then make them accountable.' Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 (62 per cent) than those who did not have these symptoms. Those with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to use partner violence, and those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Nine per cent of respondents said they had hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when they were angry. The project lead, Dr Sean Martin, said the research represented the first time the influence of the quality of men's relationships with their fathers had been examined in the context of their later use of forms of intimate partner violence. 'Guys were asked qualitative questions about their fathers or father figures, if they understood their worries and problems, taught them about life, gave them the love and affection they felt they needed,' Martin said. 'Those who answered, 'agree or strongly agree', were far less likely to use intimate partner violence.' High levels of social support 'all of the time' were found to reduce the likelihood of men using violence by 26 per cent. The report noted mental ill-health was high among Australian men, estimates suggesting that up to 25 per cent of men would be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Martin said the strong link between attentive fathering and reduced risk of men using violence in later relationships suggested programs for new fathers could help provide them important support as they managed the change and were engaged in their child's development. 'Men are looking for support services during this critical stage,' he said. 'There has been this societal shift where men are likely to be primary caregivers, which is great, but we're playing a little bit of catch-up in society as to the access they get those support services.' Martin said this part of the Ten to Men project would continue to delve into factors in men's lives that contributed to the likelihood they would use partner violence. 'Hopefully, this will provide better quality evidence for interventions around perpetration and family safety issues,' he said. Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, an international family violence research leader, of Monash University, said: 'The data clearly shows that men's mental health and relationships matter – not as excuses for violence, but as earlier points of intervention. 'One of the key findings from this study is the protective effect of strong relationships with a father figure. This reinforces the importance of positive male role modelling and points to an important opportunity for prevention.' Loading She said governments must act to scale up evidence-based prevention and early intervention initiatives tailored for people who use violence. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning, but not surprising. 'It's critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we're funding programs that stop it at the start,' she said.
Herald Sun
02-06-2025
- Herald Sun
Violent porn fuelling new wave in domestic violence, research finds
More than one third of Australian men admit they've either scared or intimidated their own loved ones, up from one in four men 10 years ago. The biggest spike in the worrying scourge in that time was among 18-24-year-olds, with concerns growing over their consumption of violent and misogynistic pornography. The startling findings, released today in the Australian Institute of Family Studies' Ten to Men report, mean more men than the entire population of Ballarat will carry out that behaviour for the first time each year. Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said the increasing amount of time boys spent online meant they were much more often exposed to 'intrusive, misogynist, violent pornography'. 'They're getting absolutely targeted,' she said. 'Younger people receiving information are being impacted by the changes in technology very differently than older generations are. 'How do we use it as a tool to get to those young people? Because they're spending time on their devices.' The study, which has surveyed more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013, asked about 4500 men around the country about their backgrounds and behaviour, finding that men who were suicidal, depressed or anxious, isolated or unhappy with their lives were more than 60 per cent more likely to inflict violence on their partners. While there was an increase in the use of violent behaviour in men of all ages, about 12 per cent of 18-24-year-olds exhibited it in 2013. By the end of 2022, the study's most recent data collection period, that figure had more than doubled to 30 per cent. Ms Cronin said it was crucial to invest in staying ahead of major technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, and work with young men from an earlier age to understand their emotions and relationship dynamics. 'We need to really be thinking about how we support men, how we support boys as they're growing up,' she said. 'Let's listen to men and boys about what's going to work for them.' Alleged violent behaviour among younger men has had deadly consequences in Victoria. Across Victoria, there were 19 alleged family violence murders last year. Lachlan Young was 21 years old in April last year when he allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend, 23-year-old Hannah McGuire and left her body in a burnt out car. Mr Young has pleaded not guilty and has been remanded to face the Supreme Court at a later date. Nationally, emotional abuse was the most common type of reported violence as 32 per cent of men said they made their partners feel 'frightened or anxious'. Nine per cent said they had hit, slapped, kicked or physically hurt their partners in a fit of rage. But men who felt like they had a strong relationship with their father and felt affection growing up were 48 per cent less likely to carry out violence against their loved ones. Ten to Men's program lead and Dr Sean Martin said the research underscored Australia's growing domestic violence crisis, with Victorian crime data recording more than 100,000 reports of family violence in the past year. Report co-author and University of Melbourne joint family violence prevention chair Kelsey Hegarty (Prof) said that figure was 'just the tip of the iceberg', and called for training that would help GPs and health professionals ask questions that would identify people at higher risk of perpetrating domestic violence. 'This is a major significant health issue for families. We know that it's causing great harm 'We haven't trialled interventions in those settings. We haven't trained health practitioners for it. 'We need to do more across the whole system to prevent this wicked problem. 'We need to continue to, at all parts of the system, be significantly trying to engage men.' Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said: 'This new research is concerning, but sadly not surprising'. 'It's critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we're funding programs that stop it at the start.'
