RURAL women are one-and-a-half times more likely to experience sexual abuse and domestic violence than their city sisters, and according to statistics the home is the most dangerous place for them says Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia executive officer, Karen Willis.
Ms Willis addressed a voluntary session of the CWA of NSW state conference this month, saying more federal fund was needed to combat what is a growing issue.
"We often think of the city being dangerous place but for women George St - the main drag in Sydney - is probably about the safest place you can be," she said.
"The most dangerous places for women are their homes and our cars."
Ms Willis related some sobering statistics to support her presentation - the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports one in five females over the age of 15 will experience sexual assault, while one in three will experience physical violence.
She said there were many myths surrounding sexual abuse and domestic violence.
"Thinking it can never happen to you is wrong - in the past year victims have ranged in age from five months to 89 years of age," she said.
"There are no age, race, socioeconomic, religious or geographical barrier to this violence."
"The idea that women ask for it due to the way they dress, behave or the places they frequented was untrue."
Ms Willis said most victims knew their attacker.
"In 70 per cent of cases the attacker is a family member, or close family friend, or a work colleague, and in 30pc of cases the woman has dated the man," she said.
"If strangers were responsible for these attacks, our association wouldn't exist."
Ms Willis said most victims didn't report the attacks due to their relationship to the attacker.
"A stranger is much easier to talk about," she said.
"There is also fear of the criminal justice process - it's harrowing to go through but there are support systems in place to help women.
"Most victims fear they won't be believed, that they'll be judged and held responsible or accountable for the attack."
Ms Willis acknowledged many women in the audience had likely experienced violence at the hands of their partners and had never spoken of it due to out-dated perceptions domestic violence was a "private matter between a husband and his wife", rather than a crime, may have caused them to remain silent, for fear of ridicule.
She urged rural women and men to contribute to the discussion on why there are higher rates of violence against women in the bush, but suggested sexual stereotyping - with "much more emphasis on a man needing to be tough and in charge and in control" - could play a role and lead to a "slippery slope".
Ms Willis said society needed to stop celebrating men with histories of domestic violence, such as boxer Floyd Mayweather, and stop blaming women for crimes committed against them.
"We have to get past the idea that women have to avoid or manage the poor behaviour of men," she said.
"The responsibility for this behaviour lies with a small group of men who use violence in their relationships, and the people who are best placed to influence that group of men is the majority of ethical - but unfortunately silent - group of men."
Ms Willis said more federal funding was needed to combat the issue, but there also needed to be more discussion about the problem.
"My passion is preventing the violence - but it's critical to understand why it happens and to do that women and men - ethical men - need to work together to fix the problem."
Counselling services: NSW Rape Crisis or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia or to speak to a counsellor contact 1800 RESPECT, which operates 24 hours, seven days a week, anywhere in Australia.
