Family Violence

Domestic Violence (DV) and Family Violence - what do they mean?

Domestic or family violence or abuse happens in lots of different ways, for example:

• PHYSICAL - hitting, kicking, pushing or choking, bruising, burning, shaking, beating, scalding; throwing things at another person, deliberately breaking things in front of people or damaging property

• VERBAL - put downs, name calling, swearing, yelling, demanding the impossible, ignoring, teasing, or humiliating someone in front of other people

• EMOTIONAL - doing things that upset, worry, or scare people by rejecting, undermining, threatening, criticising, humiliating, or ignoring

• SOCIAL - not letting the other person go out on their own, have a job or visit their family and friends; always checking up on or controlling where the other person goes and who they talk to; making friends and family feel unwelcome when they visit.

• FINANCIAL (money) - not letting someone have enough money to live on; usually one person controlling all the money and how it is spent.

• SEXUAL - making a person do sexual things they don't want to, this can be unwanted touching, kissing or sexual behaviour; being sexually promiscuous with others and telling their partner they are 'no good' sexually.

• ABUSE TO PETS - not taking care of, or deliberately hurting pets.

All of these can be called 'domestic violence', 'family violence' or abuse. NONE of these behaviours are OK and should be reported or stopped! Most of these behaviours are breaking the law. If there's violence in your home, it's important for you to find a way to be safe. Click here to find out what you can do.

• Is one of your parents being violent or abusive to another and are you witnessing this? Click here
• Are you being hurt or abused by one of your parents? Click here

		Always remember: Everyone has the right to feel safe It is never children's fault when parents fight or hurt each other