Bond University academics have been recognised for their contribution to the series "Domestic Violence in Australia" presented by The Conversation, with the submission being nominated for a prestigious United Nations award.
The series, a finalist in the United Nations Association Australia's 2014 Media awards, presents evidence submitted by academics from six of Australia's leading universities on the extent of domestic violence in Australia.
The Bond University article "Out of the shadows: the rise of domestic violence in Australia" contributed by Professor of Criminology, Terry Goldsworthy and Criminology PhD student and Teaching Fellow Matthew Raj, draws attention to the increase of domestic violence as a mainstream criminal justice issue in Australia.
The article highlights the prevalence of domestic violence in the community and questions the cost to Australian society.
The UNAA Media Awards recognise those in the media whose work highlights and champions human rights and social justice issues and stimulates public debate and changes in public and private policy.
The Conversation’s Debbie Dickinson said they are thrilled that the series has been announced as a finalist.
"The renewed interest in high profile instances of domestic violence, such as the murder of Alison Baden-Clay and Luke Batty, by their husband and father, respectively, lay the context for our series," said Dickinson.
"Rather than focus on these high-profile cases, we examined domestic violence in Australia as a whole, from different perspectives, using evidence and data collected and studied by our experts as the base of a series of articles.
"Expert analysis on aspects such as the legal framework, media silence, psychological and financial abuse, as well as policy responses and issues recommendations were also highlighted."
The Conversation's "Domestic Violence in Australia" series attracted readership of over 40,000, with over 300 comments and 2,100 social media interactions.
Executive Director of the United Nations Association of Australia Victorian Division, Patricia Collett said this year's entries show journalists continue to shine a much-needed spotlight in dark places of our society and other places around the world.
"In spite of the many deep cutbacks in media organisations there is still a wonderful spirit and willingness to reveal society's ills and push for real solutions," said Collett.
Through The Conversation’s creative commons license, articles in the series have been republished by www.womensagenda.com.au and www.psypost.org and the community group, healthynorthcoast.org.au, which further extended awareness and understanding of this important issue.