Bulletin 12 - Other issues in the literature
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Other issues in the literature
In addition to those issues identified in routine death and hospital
data, the literature points to two further issues of concern for women:
work-related injury and violence. Death and hospital data do not permit clear
identification of these issues. Cases of work-related injury cannot be
distinguished [17]. Hospitalisation data do not provide a reliable source of
epidemiological data on violence against women [18,19]. The Office of the
Status of Women has commissioned the Australian Bureau of Statistics to
undertake in 1996, the Women's Safety Survey, a national research project on
the nature and extent of violence against women in Australia.
Women's experience of work-related injury and violence appears to be
very different to that of men. For example, women are far less likely than men
to sustain major trauma or be fatally injured at work. Typically, they suffer a
high incidence of chronic conditions such as back injury or occupational
overuse syndrome. To a large extent, this is probably associated with their
over-representation in occupations such as nursing, process work and word
processing [20]. Women are also over-represented in outwork which is
characterised by long hours and low unit rates of pay. The associated high
pressure, fatigue and stress appear to predispose them to occupational overuse
syndrome and other injuries and accidents [21].
Violence against women is widespread [2] but apparently extensively
under-reported [22]. Results from a 1991 research project [23] and a 1993
national survey [24] showed sexual assault to have a disproportionate impact on
women. The literature also shows women to be over-represented as victims of
violence occurring in a domestic context [19, 24]. In the absence of reliable
data it is difficult to detail the true nature and extent of violence against
women.
2. Subcommittee on Women and Health, Australian Health Ministers' Advisory
Council. Health goals and targets for Australian women. Canberra: Australian
Government Publishing Service, 1993; p. 74.
17. Harrison JE, Cripps RA (editors). Injury in Australia: an epidemiological
review. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1994; p. 180.
18. Stark E, Flitcraft AH. Spouse Abuse. In: Rosenberg ML, Fenley MA (editors).
Violence in America: a public health approach. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1991; Chapter 6, pp. 123-157.
19. Sherrard J, Ozanne-Smith J, Brumen IA, Routley V, Williams F. Domestic
violence: patterns and indicators. Melbourne: Monash University Accident
Research Centre, 1994; Report No. 63, p. 75.
20. Neary J. Danger: women at work. (Report on "A woman's work is never safe",
an address by Jenni Neary to the First Women's Exhibition held in Sydney.)
Worksafe Australia 1990; 5(1): 3.
21. Women's Health Unit, Commonwealth Department of Community Services and
Health. National women's health policy: advancing women's health in Australia.
Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1989; p. 52. (Report
presented to Australian Health Ministers, March 1989.)
22. National Committee on Violence Against Women. National strategy on violence
against women. Canberra: Office of the Status of Women, Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet, 1992; p. 1.
23. Victorian Community Council Against Violence. A profile of rapes reported to
police in Victoria 1987-1989. (Research project undertaken as part of the
Inquiry into Violence in Public Places.) Melbourne: Victorian Community Council
Against Violence, 1991.
24. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Crime and safety, Australia. Canberra:
Australian Government Publishing Service, 1993; Catalogue No. 4509.0.
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