National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book

Vulnerable groups

Domestic and family violence can affect any person irrespective of age, gender, socio-economic status or cultural background. It is widely acknowledged however that women are significantly more likely than men to experience domestic and family violence. However, men also experience domestic and family violence and when they do they may experience stigma and, similar to others, may face obstacles in accessing help and difficulty in having their story believed [Drijber et al 2013].

A key role of judicial responses to domestic and family violence is to assess and respond to risk and promote the safety of those at the risk of harm.

Certain groups within the community may be at greater risk of experiencing domestic and family violence, may be more vulnerable to its impacts, and may require different judicial responses to ensure that all individuals are afforded fair and equal access to justice. Some people may belong to multiple groups and, as a consequence, may experience heightened risk or vulnerability. These groups may include but are not limited to:

• 4.4.1. Women
• 4.4.2. People with children
• 4.4.3. Children
• 4.4.4. Young people
• 4.4.5. Older people
• 4.4.6. Pregnant people
• 4.4.7. People with disability and impairment
• 4.4.8. People with mental illness
• 4.4.9. People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• 4.4.10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• 4.4.11. People living in regional, rural and remote communities
• 4.4.12. People affected by substance misuse
• 4.4.13. People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer
• 4.4.14. People with poor literacy skills
• 4.4.15. Victims as (alleged) perpetrators