Domestic & family violence is conduct that is violent, threatening, coercive, controlling or intended to cause the family or household member to be fearful. It can include: physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse; neglect; financial abuse; stalking; harm to an animal or property; restricting your spiritual or cultural participation as well as exposing children to the effects of these behaviours.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour which involves violence or other forms of abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage. Domestic violence can take a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious & sexual abuse & can range from subtle extreme acts of violence resulting in death.

Worldwide the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women, and women tend to experience more severe forms of violence. Domestic violence is among the most underreported crimes worldwide for both men and women.

Domestic violence occurs when the abuser believes that abuse is acceptable, justified, or unlikely to be reported. Often few people recognize themselves as abusers or victims because they may consider their experiences as family disputes that just got out of control

Victims of domestic violence may be trapped in domestic violent situations through control, power & isolation, cultural acceptance, lack of financial resources, fear, shame or to protect children.

Children who live in a household with violence often show psychological problems from an early age which may later contribute to continuing the legacy of abuse when they reach adulthood.

Understanding Domestic Violence (DV)

Domestic violence is also commonly known as family violence, relationship violence, intimate partner violence & child abuse and is prevalent in Australia.

Domestic violence is generally ongoing behaviour that gradually undermines the victim’s confidence and ability to leave the violent person. Often the severity and frequency of violence escalate over time.

Domestic violence takes many forms including physical violence as well as sexual, emotional, verbal, social, spiritual and economic abuse.

Examples of Domestic Violence may include, isolating a victim from family and friends, controlling their access to money, diminishing their self-esteem, preventing them from practising their religious beliefs, intimidation and threatening behaviour.

Domestic violence occurs in all kinds of relationships, including intimate partners, older people & their children (elder abuse), other family members, including step-parents, parents and their teenage or adult children, friends as well as people with disabilities and their carers

In Australia some forms of domestic abuse, such as physical & sexual violence & the threat of such violence are criminal offences.

Domestic violence often causes significant and long-term harm to its victims and is costly to the community.

While domestic violence occurs across all social groups, socio-economic inequalities are also linked to the experience of violence, and the ability to access resources to recover from it.

Social and economic factors often influence people’s ability to escape abusive relationships.

Addressing domestic violence requires a strong multifaceted approach, a single response to the violence, such as arrest, the laying of criminal charges, or leaving the perpetrator, will not necessarily end the violence or intimidation. Victims need to be supported often through a long journey of recovery.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATS 2015