What is domestic and family violence? Understanding domestic and family violence will help you respond.
Domestic and family violence
Domestic and family violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in an intimate relationship or other type of family relationship in which a person assumes a position more powerful than another person and it causes fear. It is also called domestic violence, domestic violence or intimate partner violence.
This type of violence can occur in many different relationships, for example: between husband or wife and boyfriend; between adults and children or adults and older parents; or between relatives such as aunts, uncles and grandparents; or people living together in a house without sexual intercourse.
It is often referred to as a pattern of coercion and coercion.
People who abuse are sometimes called ‘perpetrators of violence’.
Violence in the home and family does not always stop when the relationship is over, so it can happen to former partners.
People who abuse use a lot of tactics to maintain power and control, such as:
Attacks on the body, for example strangulation, beatings, pushing and threatening death.
Acts of sexual violence, forced sexual intercourse or coercion of a person to perform sexual acts that they do not wish to do.
Emotional abuse, name calling and statements to put down or embarrass someone (put downs), disrespectful treatment.
Separation from supports, family and community, or use of family or community to intimidate. This may include sending texts or posting to Facebook.
Spying or "tracking every" gesture ", including spying on the internet, through social media, using GPS tracking devices, etc.
Psychological abuse, such as punishing an abused person for abusive behavior; telling the abused person that he or she has a mental health problem or anxiety disorder; manipulation or deliberate reversal of reality; transfer of personal belongings or furniture and then disclaimer made it; and denying that the abusive act took place.
Financial abuse, such as not providing money for day-to-day expenses or "home management money"; preventing someone from working; manipulation of the child support system; threatening someone to sign legal and financial documents that could put them in debt; standing over someone to ask for money.
Preventing a person from practicing his spirituality or faith, or forcing him to have faith or spirituality that is not his own.
Disparaging or threatening to despise loved ones, including children.
Disparaging or threatening to despise pets.
Legal abuse, such as exploitation of the family law system to intimidate, deprive, exploit or deprive a person of power.
Abusive people are able to control in unique ways for each relationship. In some relationships, not providing a drug supply is a pattern of control. Manipulative behaviors, such as threatening suicide or hurting oneself when someone tries to leave the relationship, are also part of the control pattern. In situations where the woman with a disability relies on help or care, the withdrawal of care or the manipulation of that care are ways to set a pattern of control over an unacceptable use of power. Involving the mother in caring for her baby by preventing the abortion or breastfeeding of babies is a form of domestic or family violence.
Women are more likely to experience domestic and family violence
Statistics show that domestic and family violence is more likely to be perpetrated by men against women.
Some groups of women are at greater risk of experiencing domestic and family violence:
Pregnant women.
Divorced women.
Women with disabilities.
Indigenous women and Torres Strait Islander.
Some facts about domestic and family violence
Women are more likely to experience violence perpetrated by their partners or former partners.
People who abuse can be sympathetic and respected in their community, or play a role where they are the victim. People who live with domestic and family violence often comment that they live with a ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, or a ‘street angel / demon in the home’.
People who abuse often deny their abuse or blame the person they abuse. They think they are justified or have the right to act abusively.
Children who live with domestic and family violence are affected by it, even if they do not see or hear the violence. This is due to the fear and destruction of home life experienced by the person who takes care of them. For children, domestic and family violence is a trauma.
Gay, lesbian, transgender, and intersex people may also be present in a violent and abusive relationship.
Other types of domestic violence
Not all violence is acceptable. Similar to domestic and family violence, other forms of violence occur in families and relationships. They are not necessarily associated with patterns of power and control behavior, but they are detrimental to individuals and to family and community harmony.
Violence can occur in any type of relationship. These include violence against women against men, violence against the elderly or people with disabilities, and teen violence against their parents.
People who experience other forms of violence or abuse in the home can be hurt, harmed or embarrassed in similar ways by people who experience domestic and family violence.
Child abuse is also a form of domestic violence and will never be accepted. If you are a young person experiencing abuse, you can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call the police at 000. If you are in immediate danger,
If you experience any of these other forms of violence in a relationship or within your family, the information on this site is still important, and many of the services listed here will help. The 1800RESPECT line can provide support and information for people living with all kinds of relationship abuses or domestic violence.
In the event of an immediate danger, call 000 for police assistance.
To make an emergency call using TTY or the National Relay Service, see Calls to emergency services
Victim / survivor support
How can I support someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence? Domestic and family violence is common - one in three women will experience domestic and family violence throughout their lives. There are practical things you can do to help.
