Belinda was a woman who had been in a domestic violence relationship for years. Her partner, Mark, was a controlling and abusive man who made her feel worthless and helpless. He would frequently beat her and leave her bruised and battered. Belinda was afraid to leave him because she thought he would come after her, or worse, kill her.

Mark had a twisted way of thinking that justified his actions. He believed that Belinda was his property and that he had the right to do whatever he wanted with her. He would often tell her that if she tried to leave him, he would hunt her down and make her regret it.

Belinda had lost all hope of escaping her situation. She had tried to reach out to her family and friends for help, but Mark had made sure to isolate her from them. He had convinced her that nobody cared about her and that she was better off with him.

One day, Mark's abuse became too much for Belinda to bear. She decided that she would rather die than continue living like this. She took an overdose of pills and lay down to die.

Fortunately, Belinda was found in time and rushed to the hospital. She survived, but the incident left her severely traumatised.

Belinda's story is a dark and twisted one, but it is an important one to tell. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people every year. It is important to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and to encourage victims to speak out and seek help. No one should have to suffer in silence, and there is always help available for those who need it.

Domestic violence is still a significant issue in Australia,

According to the 2021 National Community Attitudes Survey (NCAS) released by ANROWS. The survey revealed that the number of Australians who mistakenly believe that domestic violence is equally committed by men and women has risen to 41% from 23% in 2009, despite recent evidence that most victim-survivors name a male perpetrator.

While the survey found some improvements in understanding and attitudes over the last decade, it also showed that only 57% of respondents believe males are the primary perpetrators of domestic violence. Moreover, although 91% of respondents believe violence against women is a problem in Australia, only 47% of respondents think it is a problem in their own suburb or town.

Padma Raman PSM, CEO of ANROWS, expressed concerns over the findings and stressed the need for more work to improve attitudes and understanding regarding family, domestic, and sexual violence. While the survey showed some improvements in attitudes towards sexual violence, victim-blaming attitudes and rape myths remain prevalent.

The release of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 was welcomed as a blueprint for eliminating violence in one generation. Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth recognized the importance of research like this in identifying gaps in understanding and areas to focus on as a society.

The NCAS also found that a quarter of respondents believed that a woman who does not leave an abusive partner is partly responsible for the abuse continuing. Two in five respondents said they would not know how to access domestic violence services, while 37% of respondents thought women going through custody battles often make up or exaggerate claims of domestic violence to gain tactical advantage in their case. These findings suggest that more education and awareness campaigns are needed to support victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is not something that should be accepted or ignored. By raising awareness of the issue and working together, we can eliminate domestic violence and make our communities safer for everyone. It is everyone's responsibility to work towards ending violence against women and children, and we must all pull in the same direction to achieve this.

The events and experiences discussed in this article are based on a number of people's stories and have been used to create a character for this story. While the themes and issues presented in this article are based on real-life situations, the specific details and characters have been fictionalized. Any resemblance to real people or events is unintentional and should not be taken as such.

Support Services

1. National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service - 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) This service is available 24/7 to provide confidential counselling and support to anyone impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. They can provide information, support, and referral to specialist services across Australia.

2. Lifeline - 13 11 14 Lifeline is a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. They offer phone counselling and support for people experiencing domestic violence or abuse, as well as other mental health issues.
   
   

3. Men's Referral Service - 1300 766 491 The Men's Referral Service is a free, confidential counselling and referral service for men who are concerned about their behaviour towards their partner or family. They can provide support and guidance on how to change abusive behaviour.

4. Women's Domestic Violence Helpline (WA) - 1800 007 339 This service is available 24/7 to provide support and information to women experiencing domestic violence. They can help with safety planning, provide information on legal options, and refer women to specialist services.
   
   

5. Domestic Violence Line (NSW) - 1800 65 64 63 The Domestic Violence Line is a 24/7 helpline that provides information and referral to support services for women experiencing domestic violence. They can also provide support to family members, friends, and workers who are concerned about someone experiencing abuse.

6. 1800 Respect - 1800 737 732 1800 Respect is a national helpline that provides confidential counselling, information, and support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. They can provide support and referral to specialist services in your area.
   
   

7. Queensland Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1800 811 811 The Queensland Domestic Violence Crisis Line provides 24/7 support and referral to people experiencing domestic or family violence in Queensland. They can provide safety planning, information on legal options, and referral to specialist services.

8. Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria - (03) 9486 9866 The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria provides information and support to people experiencing domestic or family violence in Victoria. They can provide safety planning, information on legal options, and referral to specialist services.
   
   

9. Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc. - (07) 5532 9000 The Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast provides support and referral to people experiencing domestic or family violence on the Gold Coast. They can provide safety planning, information on legal options, and referral to specialist services.

10. Northern Territory Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 737 732 The Northern Territory Domestic Violence Helpline provides 24/7 support and referral to people experiencing domestic or family violence in the Northern Territory. They can provide safety planning, information on legal options, and referral to specialist services.
    
    

These are just a few of the many domestic support services available in Australia. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, it's important to seek help and support. These services are here to help and support you.