Criminology Research Council grant ; (13/06-07)
Intimate partner violence, also referred to as intimate partner abuse, includes all types of physical and non-physical violence and acts of abuse between intimate partners. This study focuses on intimate partner abuse among cohabiting, heterosexual partners living in the Bowen Basin and Mackay region of Central Queensland. Specifically, the study is concerned with the abuse of women by their current marriage or de facto male partners. Due to the particular geographic, economic and cultural characteristics of this region many families are affected by atypical work schedules, periodic separation and isolation. Each of these may be expected to impact on the quality of relationships and, potentially, on the experience of intimate partner abuse.