Domestic Violence Impacting Women’s Education and Careers

Domestic violence among young women has far-reaching consequences, often forcing them to drop out of university or reduce their working hours. A recent study highlights that nearly one in five women aged 18-24 who have been in a relationship have experienced domestic violence, affecting their long-term economic stability.

Research from an Australian university reveals that domestic violence is more common among younger women than previously thought, with 19.3% of those aged 18-24 reporting partner violence in the past 5 years. This figure declines with age, dropping to around 11% for women aged 25-34 and 7% for those over 35. Despite these high numbers, awareness of the issue among students remains low.

The study found that abusive partners often discourage or control victims from pursuing education, with 287,200 women reporting interference in their studies. This results in a nearly 10% decrease in university completion rates within 3 years of experiencing violence. The financial impact is significant, as lifetime earnings for affected women could be up to 41% lower than those with a degree.

In addition to education setbacks, domestic violence has a clear impact on employment. Women who experienced partner abuse in the past 5 years had a 5.3% lower employment rate compared to those who had not. Economic abuse led to an even larger gap of 9.4%. Many survivor-victims take time off work, with some missing an average of 31 days following an abusive incident.

This issue extends beyond individual victims, affecting the broader economy by limiting women’s workforce participation and earnings. Reports suggest these negative effects can last at least 5 years, reducing opportunities for financial independence. As domestic violence continues to undermine women’s economic progress, further support and awareness are needed to address its long-term impact.

Source: Australian Financial Review, UTS