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Domestic violence
Domestic violence is any abusive behaviour used by one person against another, within a family. The most common example is the use of violence and control by men against women and children.
Domestic violence can be:
- Physical assault, including slapping, punching, kicking, choking or the use of a weapon. All acts of physical assault are criminal offences.
- Emotional or verbal abuse, ie. the use of words or other acts to threaten, insult, abuse or put the victim down. This can destroy the victim’s self-esteem and make them feel worthless.
- Social abuse, including being stopped from seeing friends and family or anyone who can assist them.
- Economic abuse, including stopping the someone from having any money or any of the family resources such as goods or property.
- Sexual assault, including forcing another person to have sex (rape), indecent assault or being forced to look at pornography.
Domestic violence can occur in all families, regardless of background, rich or poor, famous or not, and from all cultures and age groups. It is quite common, with up to one quarter of Australian women experiencing domestic violence.
In domestic violence, physical abuse may cause injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns and cuts. There are often more multiple injuries that the victim’s partner may try to play down. Domestic violence may also result in health problems, which are not easily linked to acts of violence. These health problems commonly include feelings of worthlessness, not being able to cope, depression, panic attacks, heart palpitations, severe crying spells, trouble sleeping, joint pains, abdominal pain, anxiety, breathing problems, headaches and drug abuse.
What can I do about domestic violence?
The following help is available to people with domestic violence problems:
- Counselling for domestic violence is available from local community health centres, family support services, neighbourhood and women’s health centres.
- Legal advice and protection can also be sought. If the person feels threatened or is worried about their family’s safety in any way they should call the Police. The police will advise on how to take out an Apprehended Violence Order (an AVO). This can also done through the Chamber Magistrate at the local court. The AVO is sometimes called a ‘restraining order’. It is an order made by the court to protect the person from violence or threats of violence from a spouse, a de facto, an ex, a parent, or a child.
Where can I get more information?
Talk to your general practitioner or contact:
- Your local Community Health Centre. You will find the number in the Health Services listing in the information pages at the front of your phone book.
- Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.
- Kid’s Help Line on 1800 551 800.
- Domestic Violence Advocacy Service on 1800 81 07 84
- Translation and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
See also the Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre website.
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