Monthly Archives: August 2012

The cost of violence is measured in more than just emotional pain and physical scars. There is a financial side to it as well, with figures reaching far into the tens of billions of dollars per year, including law fees, hospital costs, and thousands of lost man hours.

According to the Foundation of Alcohol Research and Education, alcohol-related assaults are one of the main causes of violence-related costs. On average, there are 70,000 alcohol-related assaults in Australia each year. They cost us a shocking $36 billion dollars – most of it related to lost productivity and medical costs.

But it’s just not violence caused by alcohol that is proving to be costing us a pretty penny. The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has revealed that violence against women and their children has an annual cost of nearly $13.6 billion dollars, with figures continuing to rise. Estimates show that if these trends continue, some 750,000 women could be reporting a domestic abuse case by 2021, further increasing these costs.

Domestic violence as well as alcohol-induced street violence usually falls within the realm of interpersonal violence, which by the World Health Organization’s definition “includes violence between family members and intimate partners and violence between acquaintances and strangers that is not intended to further the aims of any formally defined group or cause.”

While there is no precise number for Australia yet, it has been noted by the WHO that interpersonal violence costs the UK some $40.2 billion annually, and the U.S. around $200+ billion.

With each passing year, the incidence of alcohol-related street violence and domestic violence cases seems to be increasing. Victoria alone has seen a 37% increase in alcohol-related injuries over the last decade. That means a 37% increase in cost as well.

Violence affects each and every one of us. We all know someone who has been the victim of senseless violence. Not only do they bear the emotional and physical scars, but as a society we pay billions of dollars to cover the financial cost caused by people who should have just walked away. Imagine where else that money could be spent and how much good it could do…

We have all seen the headlines. Violence in Australian schools is on the rise. Whether it’s kids fighting with other kids, or students assaulting teachers and staff, the problem is growing – and it’s growing rapidly.

Here are some shocking statistics:

• 27% of students aged four to nine are bullied at least every few weeks
• In 87% of these cases, onlookers are present yet do nothing
• Bullying is most prevalent around ages five to eight
• Queensland schools have experienced a constant increase in violence of over 100% since 2008
• Over 1000 violent acts against students and teachers are committed each year in our school system

Of course, these statistics still do not tell the whole story. The problem becomes more extensive when we consider the impact on not just the families of the victims, but the families of the perpetrators as well. Violence in schools is a problem that is having an effect on our society as a whole, and if left unchecked it could do long-lasting harm.

Studies show that more and more children are coming to school with weapons more than ever before. A startling tendency for children to carry knives is being increasingly scrutinized as the rates of stabbings soar. Is the solution simply to put up metal detectors, or is this problem better tackled in another way?

John Toumbourou, the Deakin University Chair of Health Psychology, says he’s sure that metal detectors will not be the most effective way of stopping the assaults.

“You need to get the environment so that young people are aware of how to relate to one another and there’s not alcohol in the background causing unnecessary violent events. In Australia, alcohol use is high amongst adolescents,” he says.

The violence in our school system must be dealt with sooner rather than later. As the assault rates and bullying continue to draw headlines in newspapers across the country, it is imperative that we work toward a solution that gets to the heart of the problem, quickly.

When it comes to being a good role model, what is it that makes the biggest impression on a child? Is it about showing respect? Apologizing when we’re wrong? Being confident? Is it a mix of all of these things, or is it the way in which we demonstrate them? If you’re a teacher or parent and you’re struggling with getting your children to listen to you, it may be time to try a different tact entirely.

Advice Isn’t Always Going to Work

Words don’t always stick, no matter how much we wish they would. If you attempt to verbally explain right and wrong behaviour, that advice could quickly go in one ear and out the other. Think about your own life and this makes more sense. If you have a friend or relative that loves giving you advice on a constant basis, you know exactly how this feels. Over time, that advice just becomes white noise.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t explain things to your child. But there is a difference between giving advice and being a good role model. Often, children don’t listen to what you say, but they are still watching what you do. Being a good role model is not so much about the things you say to your children, but about the example you set for them on a daily basis.

Showing the Decision Process

Talking directly to your child may not always be the best way to go about being a good role model, but talking to yourself can be very effective. When you have an issue that needs to be worked out, instead of keeping it in your head, talk about it to yourself. Your child will listen to your deliberations in a way that he or she perhaps wouldn’t if you were speaking directly to them.

This method has the added benefit of teaching your child how to work through problems as they get older. Problem-solving skills are essential early on, since one bad decision can produce long-lasting effects in a child’s life. If you can teach your child how to work through a problem, there is less of a chance they will make a poor decision.

Being a Good Role Model Is All About Doing

It’s what we do as adults that make the biggest difference in a child’s life. The greatest role models are people who have accomplished things through years of hard work. They have demonstrated that they can walk the walk, and that above all else is what a child listens to.

If you want a child to develop respect, show respect to others. If you want them to have confidence in themselves, you need to have confidence in yourself as well. This is a staple of being a good role model, and time and again it has proven to be the most effective method.  In other words: be who you want your children to be.

We all know life has a dark side to it. Luckily, there’s a lighter side too, but sometimes it can be a bit tricky to find – especially as we get older and are confronted with some of the harsher realities of this world. But in order to live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives, it is imperative that we try to stay positive despite the bad things that happen around us. If we give in to cynicism, we give up on people, and it shows in our interactions – not just with strangers, but also with the people we love.

Below are a few simple tips on how you can stay positive, no matter what life throws at you.

Have faith in people

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” –Mahatma Gandhi

It can be hard to see the goodness in people, especially after a bad experience puts all of your interactions with others in a cynical light. Every day, we see uncaring individuals hurt innocent people around them. But as Mahatma Gandhi said, these individuals are but drops in the greater ocean of humanity. If we let them, they will come to represent humankind: it’s our job to see them for what they are – insignificant individuals who are a minority in our society -  and realise that there are so many more good people around us.

Sometimes, the worst in us brings out the best in us

The recent tragic events in Boston showcased some of the worst in people. But for those able to look past the two suspected bombers, there was a city full of people showing bravery, compassion and caring.

At the scene, first responders immediately ran to the bombing sites to help the injured, not knowing whether another bomb would go off. Bostonians began opening their homes to runners because hotels were locked down and they had nowhere to sleep. Restaurants were giving away free meals to people who didn’t have access to their wallets or had lost them in the confusion.

What happened in Boston was a result of the evil in the hearts of two people. It also loudly and clearly showcased the goodness in the hearts of thousands. It’s up to each of us to decide what part to focus on.

Learning to forgive

Forgiveness can be a difficult thing, but learning to forgive is essential to our own wellbeing. Holding grudges and seeking revenge does nothing to improve our happiness. Anger burns only those who hold on to it.

Many people are now aware of domestic abuse, thanks to a number of successful campaigns over the last few years. But do we have a good picture of all different kinds of domestic violence, or do we automatically think of women suffering at the hands of their partners and parents abusing their children?

It may surprise some people, but parents can be targets of domestic abuse too, becoming victims to their own children. It’s a growing reality for many families, with more and more kids becoming increasingly violent towards their parents.

According to WA Police, one in five of all police call outs for domestic violence in Perth’s northern suburbs are related to kids attacking their parents. It’s difficult to confidently say how this issue affects Australian families across the country, because WA Police are the only district to keep records on children’s violence towards parents. But the 24-hour Parenting WA helpline has reported a 60 percent increase in calls in just three years; while Joondalup’s Patricia Giles Centre (which offers free support and counselling to women and children) has found that a third of all cases being referred to them by the police now involves kids abusing their parents. The growing problem mostly involves young boys, some only 10 years old.

Although child violence is often swept under the carpet, the problem is far more common than most people think. It also has significant consequences. Children who are violent towards their parents are extremely likely to display anti-social behaviour when they’re adults. We are seeing a generation of young Australians who solve their problems with violence and have not learnt how to treat other human beings with respect and decency.

What’s causing the rise in the number of kids abusing their parents? We don’t know. It’s easy to blame social factors such as abuse or poverty, but many of these violent children come from normal, stable families. Some experts are blaming it on violent television or computer games, others are pointing the finger at bullying or disassociation caused by the internet.

What we do know is that this is a growing problem that needs to be addressed. If you or someone you know is dealing with a violent family member, seek help.

Traditionally, the taboo surrounding rape meant that it was a ‘hidden’ crime that was seldom talked about. Today, thankfully, we are a lot more open about it. But many of these conversations are focused at women, providing them with advise on how to be safe and careful. Should we really be putting the onus on victims to moderate their behaviour?

Some experts are saying that rather than making rape and assault a “woman’s problem”, we should turn the dialogue around and look at more ways to teach men about rape. Whilst it’s true that there are rare occasions where women rape men (or other women), on the whole, most rapists are males.

Luckily, we are increasingly seeing a shift in society’s attitudes towards rape education. People are focussing more on how we can teach boys and young men to respect other people’s boundaries when it comes to sex. Parents have long been teaching their girls about how to minimise their chances of being assaulted, but today more and more parents are starting to teach their boys about the importance of consent.

Unfortunately, harmful myths about rape still dominate too many discussions on the topic. We should be teaching our sons that it doesn’t matter what a woman is wearing, how much she has had to drink or how many sexual partners she’s had – it does not give them or anyone else the justification to assault her. Similarly, we must teach our boys that if a woman asks to stop in the middle of intercourse and her request is not heeded, this still classifies as rape. No means no, and rape is rape. There is no fine line or grey in-between: rape is black and white.

If you talk to your children about sexual assault, explain to them the role that alcohol plays in many rape cases. Some men become sexually aggressive when they are drunk, or are so intoxicated that they do not think rationally; while women are at increased risk of being sexually assaulted when they’ve been drinking.

Sexual assault is not an easy thing to talk about with your kids. But it’s incredibly important.

Alcohol is the most widely consumed drug in Australia. Any adult can legally drink and it’s socially acceptable, unlike other drugs like cocaine and crystal meth. These factors, among others, have led to an increasing culture of binge drinking.

But what exactly is binge drinking? Simply put, if someone is binge drinking, they’re drinking to get drunk. There’s been a lot of debate over an official definition, with some experts arguing that it should relate to a certain amount of alcohol consumed within a certain amount of time. There’s one thing that’s clear though: if your aim is to get drunk, you’re binge drinking.

Research by the Australian Bureau of Statics (ABS) has revealed that men binge drink more than women. Men aged between the ages of 25 to 34 are the most prevalent problem drinkers of all. But women are quickly catching up… The rate of binge drinking in young women aged 18-24 shot up by 5.1% between 2001 and 2007-2008. What worries police, politicians and doctors the most is the fact that the overall amount of binge drinking has increased since 2008 and has now reached epidemic proportions.

Young people are especially vulnerable to the ill effects of binge drinking. Companies that make alcoholic drinks use clever marketing to make them seem exciting, appealing and fun. Combine this with social pressures from friends and wanting to appear more ‘grown up’, and it’s easy to see how teenagers end up getting intoxicated, wandering the streets at night in a volatile, yet vulnerable state. Although they drink to have a good time, it can backfire horribly.

There are some serious physical dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking too much can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to vomiting, seizures and even death. Long term, the implications of alcohol abuse include liver damage, brain damage and addiction.

Aside from the physical effects of binge drinking, the social consequences are also significant. It’s common for people who binge drink to end up engaging in dangerous, antisocial behaviour that is out of character. Alcohol is notorious for lowering people’s inhibitions, which can lead to all kinds of risky behaviours such as unprotected sex, violence and criminal activities.

Binge drinking is a growing problem in our society. If we stand by and let it happen, more and more young people will suffer the consequences. The solution isn’t easy – but we can begin by looking at our culture and discuss whether alcohol really should play such a prominent part in it.

What if there was a drug that we could give to problem drinkers? Medication to help people quit smoking has proven to be highly effective, and now Australian scientists are working on a pill to help people overcome alcoholism.

Teams of scientists around the globe are collaborating on a number of projects to develop pills and vaccines to treat problem drinking. There is a solid link between alcohol and violent crime and the level of drink-fuelled violence in Australia has reached epidemic proportions. Could medication hold the key to tackling this issue?

Dr Mark Hutchinson, lead researcher at Adelaide University, seems to think so. His team have been developing the “stay sober” pill, which minimises the effects of alcohol. It is designed to drastically reduce the pleasure people get from drinking and, in turn, this should take away the incentive to drink. Alcoholic beverages that don’t get you drunk would be expensive, pointless and ultimately unappealing.

The new drug has already been tested on rodents. It affects the brain’s immune system, which has a knock-on effect of altering its response to alcohol. Mice that were given the drug appeared to be completely sober, but they also showed a preference for drinking water over alcohol too.  Dr Hutchinson is optimistic that the drug will be ready to give to problem drinkers within the next three years.

Meanwhile, in South America, scientists from the University of Chile have spent the last year developing an alcohol vaccine. Anyone who is given the vaccine ends up experiencing very unpleasant side-effects when they drink: instead of getting drunk, they will feel extreme nausea, as if they have a severe hangover.  Projects to develop other drugs are also underway in the US and Europe.

Of course, medications like these are unlikely to receive a warm welcome from the alcohol industry. Some critics have even speculated as to whether a “stay sober” pill could actually encourage people to drink more.

What do you think: will anti-drinking medication and booze pills work?

Binge drinking continues to be a growing problem amongst Australian teens. Alcohol abuse at a young age can lead to serious physical, psychological and social consequences down the road. The early detection of a drinking problem is vital in order to protect children’s health and wellbeing.

Of course, parents can (and should) play their role in preventing underage drinking, as well as schools and police, but what about others who regularly come into contact with young people, such as health care professionals? Is it time for them to play a more significant role in detecting alcohol abuse in children and teens?

In the USA, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse Alcoholism (NIAAA) has suggested that doctors are in a prime position to screen youths for underage drinking. They argue that physicians should ask about alcohol consumption as a matter of course.

The NIAAA’s arguments are backed up by a recent study, which revealed that young people were more likely to seek treatment for issues with drinking when their physician had asked them about their alcohol consumption. It suggests that nobody is in a better position than a doctor to give impartial advice and information about the physical and psychological effects of alcohol abuse.

We all know that teenagers can view parents, police and other authority figures with a degree of scepticism. But doctors and other health care professionals represent more neutral figures – after all, it’s not their job to give moral judgements and they have no emotional connection to the child. Hearing about how alcohol can cause cirrhosis of the liver, addiction or even an early death could prove to be just the jolt that some young people need.

A visit to the doctor is confidential, so it’s highly likely that some youths will feel more comfortable being honest with healthcare professionals about their drinking, compared to teachers or youth workers. It could very well be the first step to getting proper support, so they can avoid the pitfalls that we often associate with underage drinking.

What do you think: should Australian doctors screen for underage drinking?

There are many forms of violence, and only a small amount of it is physical. Hate speech is one of the most common forms of violence, although it’s often trivialised. This is dangerous, because hate speech is often a precursor to physical forms of assault.

What exactly is hate speech? In short, it is any kind of communication that attacks others on the basis of their religion, sexual orientation, gender or other characteristics.

It’s important to recognise hate speech as a form of violence, because words have so much power. They can have a significant impact on how others feel, think and act – particularly because hate speech often targets vulnerable groups of people. Hate speech also marginalises them and perpetuates stereotypes and prejudices.

Most countries around the world have laws that restrict the use of hate speech, though some activists argue they could undermine our freedom of speech. Australian hate speech laws fall somewhere between the more relaxed US regulations and the much stricter legislation in some European countries.

So what crosses the line between freedom of speech and hate speech? Well, it’s all in the definition, really. Anything that’s hateful and vilifies a person or a group on the basis of one or more characteristics is hate speech. And regardless of what category it fits into, any type of speech that verbally attacks someone else is harmful.

Most physical violence is a result of a verbal altercation. Research has repeatedly shown that hate speech often precedes an attack. It also has other tragic consequences, like depression, self-harm and even suicide.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking words are just words… because they’re not. Verbal abuse is still abuse. Just like hate speech is a form of violence. So think before you open your mouth. And remember the famous quote: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!”