What is Domestic and Family Violence?
Understanding what it is, and knowing you are not alone.
Domestic and Family Violence Can Affect Anyone
In all types of relationships, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. It is not always physical, and it does not always end when you leave. If you are reading this and recognising these patterns, you are not alone.
What you experienced is real. And support exists.
It can happen in many types of relationships, including:
Past or current intimate relationships, including relationships where you are dating or living together, regardless of gender or sexuality
Relationships involving carers of people with a disability or a medical condition, or elders
Relationships with relatives and guardians
Culturally recognised family groups
Domestic and family violence is always the fault of the person causing the abuse. It is never the fault of the person experiencing it.
Types of Domestic and Family Violence
Controlling Behaviour
Controlling behaviour, also known as coercive control, makes you do or believe things you would not normally. You may be stopped from seeing people, leaving the house or doing other activities that are important to you.
Physical Violence
Physical violence is any violent behaviour or threats of violence. It can be directed at you, your children, other family members, friends, pets or property. It might include hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, or threats of violence and intimidation.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any sexual behaviour you do not want, such as being forced into sexual activity against your will or inappropriate touching. This includes being coerced or manipulated into sexual behaviour.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is any behaviour that makes you feel worthless or put down. This can include yelling, insulting, name calling or swearing.
Stalking
Stalking is behaviour intended to harass or intimidate. This could include repeated phone calls or messages, unwanted or obsessive attention, or someone following or monitoring you.
Technology Facilitated Abuse
Technology facilitated abuse is when someone monitors what you do online. This may include checking your computer and phone use, using spyware on your phone to track you, publishing intimate photos of you without your consent, or sharing or threatening to share photos or messages with the intention of outing your sexuality or gender identity, putting you at risk of stigma, discrimination or harm.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is behaviour that limits your access to money. Warning signs might include taking or using your money without your permission, not being allowed to work, having to account for how you spend your money, or withholding financial information from you.
Violence Doesn't Always End When She Leaves
For many women, leaving is only the beginning.
Abuse can continue through ongoing contact, legal processes, financial control and the use of children. This is why support after leaving is so critical, and why Somewhere To Go exists.
You Are Not Alone
If you are recognising these patterns in your own life, what you have experienced is real. Help is available.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.
If you have left and are looking for support in rebuilding your life, Somewhere To Go is here.