The time before and after the separation can sometimes get very scary. Parents might argue a lot and someone might start crying. Conflicts like that are normal. However where conflicts involve abuse or violence, people can get hurt and we call it Family Violence (or Domestic Violence, sometimes called DV). Violence or abuse can be emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, social or financial and usually happens when one person is more powerful and controls or hurts other adults and/or children in the family, often making them frightened.

• If you want to read more about 'FAMILY VIOLENCE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN' - click here. This section will help you understand the different forms of family violence.
  
  
• If 'YOU ARE BEING HURT' by one of your parents or someone else there are people who can help - click here to find out more. No one has the right to hurt you. Or you might have a 'FRIEND WHO IS BEING HURT' by their parents or someone else - there are some things that you can do to help them and there are people out there who can help you and your friend. Click here to read more.
  
  
• The next section talks about situations when 'ONE PARENT IS HURTING THE OTHER'. This often happens when parents separate and can be a very difficult time for the children. Click here for more information. When this is happening one parent may take out a 'RESTRAINING ORDER' against the other parent - click here to find out what that means.
  
  
• There are different things that you can do to feel safe when there is violence in your family. Click here to find out more about 'THINGS TO HELP YOU FEEL SAFE'. You might want to talk to someone but don't know how - click here to find out how you can 'TELL SOMEONE' who can help you.

		Always remember: Everyone has the right to feel safe!