DV Support Hub is part of the Family Counselling Support Network company
which offers Australians health and wellness support no matter who, where and why.
What is the difference between domestic abuse, family violence and child abuse?
Domestic Violence refers to violent behaviour between current or former intimate partners - typically where one partner tries to exert power and control over the other, usually through fear. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, spiritual, economic abuse, stalking, coercive control.
Family Violence is a broader terms that refer to violence between family members, which can include violence between family members, which can include violence between current or former intimate partners, as well as act of violence between a parent and a child, between siblings, grandparents and partners etc. Family Violence is the preferred term for violence between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as it covers the extended family and kinship relationships in which violence may occur.
Child abuse...
If you feel that you or your loved one meets one or more of the criteria, please reach out for help. There is so much support and love for you. You've got this.
Latest legal changes - Stalking and Coercive Control
Summary of the changes. Stalking and coercive controlare built into the checklists above..
If you are concerned you or your loved one is experiencing domestic abuse, please look at the checklist below for assistance. We can help you find the help you need. You are not alone! We can help discuss your exit strategy, get you access to specialist support, take legal steps to help protect you and your family. Please also refer to our website for contact numbers for Australian emergency domestic violence services..
NOBODY EXPECTS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE OR CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH ABUSE – NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
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TYPES OF ABUSE
Not every perpetrator/abuser/offender of domestic violence is violent in the way we often understand 'violence' to be. The person can be male or female, and from any social-economic background. Abuse is all about power, entitlement and control - an attitude rather than just about anger. Abuse grows from attitudes and values, not feelings.
There are several terms to describe domestic violence for example family violence, intimate partner violence, battering, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, neglect, threats of violence...
Domestic violence usually described a pattern of repeated behaviours but it can also be a one off event as well.
The term domestic abuse is used as an umbrella term to cover them all.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse involves causing OR threatening physical harm to control you, for example:
threatening with a weapon (any item likely to inflict pain) or gun
SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual abuse can include:
EMOTIONAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
They can be mean but is that emotional or psychological abuse?
Emotional or Psychological abuse is not always easy to identify, but it can really lower self-esteem and your confidence, leave you feeling scared and threatened.
It can include:
STALKING
COERCIVE CONTROLLING BEHAVIOUR
Coercive control is a form of domestic and family violence. It is a pattern of abusive behaviours used against a person to create a climate of fear, isolation, intimidation and humiliation.
Coercive control can include physical and non-physical forms of abuse, and may involve a pattern of one or more of the types of abuse detailed on this page.
This includes forcing, intimidating or manipulating a person to do things they don’t want to do.
It might make you feel unsafe, scared, threatened or like you are walking on eggshells.
TECHNOLOGY BASED ABUSE
Technology-based abuse and surveillance can include:
FINANCIAL ABUSE
Financial abuse may often start with subtle, controlling behaviours and end up with someone taking complete control over your money and finances, for example:
SOCIAL ISOLATION ABUSE
Social isolation may often start with subtle, controlling behaviours that can end in completely isolating you from your friends, family and support networks, for example:
VERBAL ABUSE
We often say things we regret, especially in the heat of the moment, but is that verbal abuse?
It can include abuse to your face or electronically including:
RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL ABUSE
IDENTITY BASED ABUSE
Identity-based abuse is often specifically targeted at people from the LGBTIQ+ communities.
It can include:
PLEASE NOTE:
1. You don’t have to be legally married to experience domestic violence in a relationship!
Violence is considered domestic violence when any of the behaviours listed above take place in any of these relationships:
2. Domestic Violence extends to children seeing violence like their parent being hurt, being called names, things being broken or police arriving.
3. Before you decide to leave a domestic violence situation, it is best to ensure you have a safe exit strategy.
Where possible, seek assistance to plan a safe departure for you and your children. If it's an emergency call 000.
All forms of domestic, family and sexual violence are serious and never acceptable.
FAQS
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How has this material been prepared and is it reliable?
I have been violent towards my family. I need help. Where can I get it?
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