The non-offending partners of people involved with online child exploitation often face similar consequences as domestic violence victims such as isolation and stigmatisation, says Natalie Walker, a student of QUT’s Graduate Certificate of Domestic Violence, and founder of PartnerSPEAK.org.au.
She said undertaking QUT’s domestic violence course had enabled her make clear connections between the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact of child abuse material in homes.
“Online child exploitation brings violence and abuse into the family home,” Ms Walker said.
“In common with people who use violence, people who access child abuse material often act entitled and manipulatively and view children as property that can be exploited.
“Consequences for affected partners may be very similar such as issues with children, family reactions, isolation, financial hardship, and stigmatisation.”
Ms Walker set up PartnerSPEAK.org.au with the primary service being an online forum for affected partners to help them deal with the realisation their partner or someone in the family had accessed child abuse material.
“My studies have also given me an introduction to domestic violence leaders to open up the subject in Australia about the experiences of partners affected by child abuse material,” she said.
“The woman is often blamed for the offender’s actions. People think ‘maybe he’s doing it because she’s not sexually satisfying him.
“There is shame and stigma when the name is mentioned in the media. Women stay for a time and try to deal with it but the aftermath of the discovery often brings family breakdown, as family violence does.
“A further similarity with family violence is the realisation that the person they love and trust can do such an abhorrent thing. Everything they know about that person is not true so the non-offending partners find support from other people in the same boat through our forum.”
Professor Molly Dragiewicz, coordinator of QUT’s Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence, said the course was designed in response to the need for evidence-based education for those who came into contact with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
“Police officers, judges, lawyers, health professionals, psychologists, and child protection workers frequently encounter domestic violence as part of their jobs," Professor Dragiewicz said.
“But the university degrees that prepare students to work in these fields do not include required units dedicated to domestic violence. Without specialised education, professionals are forced to rely on stereotypes that can blame the victim and embolden abusers.
“QUT designed the Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence as an online course to provide flexible learning for people who are working in the field or intend to do so in the future. Enrolment is now available for Semester 1, 2017 entry for full or part-time study.”
Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT Media, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, or media@qut.edu.au
