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OVERVIEW

The Context element of the Framework comprises the environmental factors present at societal and community levels, and the relationships, daily events, and situations that shape individuals and their family unit or partnerships. Contextual factors relate to both potential victims and potential perpetrators and include the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, the dynamics of the family and community, and the situations in which violence can arise. Previous experiences can influence the nature of the context in which FDV may occur, and this includes the personal histories and values that each member of a family, or a relationship, brings to the context of that interaction.

The two major components of the Context element of the Framework are environmental factors and psychosocial factors, both of which need to be considered together to create a holistic picture of the context in which FDV occurs.


Environmental factors

The social and physical environment in which people live can affect them in different ways, one of these being the formation of attitudes. Attitudes may reflect influences such as historical and cultural background, sex and socioeconomic status. Data about environmental factors are required to inform this element of the Framework, which may then feed into the development and targeting of education and prevention policies that influence these factors where there is opportunity to do so. Quantitative data about people's social and physical environments may be useful, but these data will also be mediated by attitudes. Therefore, subjective data will also assist in describing this element.


Psychosocial factors

In contrast to the environmental factors that measure the broader environment in which people operate, psychosocial factors exist at the individual level and can relate to both potential victims and potential perpetrators. These factors may influence such aspects as the determinants of victimisation and offending, victims' recovery and resilience, and perceptions of rights and responsibilities.