Violence against women in a rural context

Abstract

The paper outlines the results of a study conducted in rural NSW in 1995. It examines violence against women in a rural context and outlines rural constraints and structures which make the position of women who are victims of violence particularly tenuous. A lack of refuge accommodation and the difficulties of policing Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) in isolated areas are just two of the issues examined. Service providers in two rural towns were interviewed to gain an understanding of the perceptions of violence against women in rural areas and of the way service providers deal with such violence. The paper outlines the important role social workers can play linking services for the ultimate protection of rural women.