What is Domestic Violence

Family and domestic violence

Family and domestic violence can affect anyone in all types of relationships. It can occur in:

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.

Family and domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender or sexual orientation.

It can continue even when you’ve left a violent relationship.

Family and domestic violence is always the fault of the person causing the abuse. It’s never the fault of the person experiencing abusive behaviour.

Controlling behaviour

Controlling behaviour, also known as coercive control, makes you do or believe things you wouldn’t normally. You may be stopped from seeing people, leaving the house or doing other activities 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, friends, pets or property.

It might be:

hitting
kicking
pushing
choking
threats of violence or intimidation.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any sexual behaviour you don’t 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 and put down. This can include yelling, insulting, calling you names or a slur and swearing.

Stalking

Stalking is behaviour to harass or intimidate. This could be:

repeated phone calls or messages
unwanted or obsessive attention
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
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 limiting your access to money. Warning signs might be:

taking or using your money without your permission
not being allowed to work
having to account for how you spend your money
withholding financial information from you
spending any payments you get from us without your consent