Domestic Violence

Domestic and family violence (DV) can affect anyone in the community, regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, age, culture, ethnicity, religion, disability, economic status or location.

DV involves violent, abusive or intimidating behaviour carried out by a partner, carer or family member, to control, dominate or instil fear in another family member. DV takes many forms. It can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, social, spiritual or other types of abuse.

Typically, the mechanisms of abuse used in DV include coercion, manipulation and control.

This might include:

  • Preventing you from seeing family and friends
  • Threats of harm to other family members or pets
  • Public humiliation, threats or insults
  • Constant and unrelenting criticism
  • Withholding medications
  • Depriving you of access to money for food and clothes
  • Threatening to disclose your sexual orientation to others
  • Damage or destruction of property
  • Harassment and/or stalking

Any person who causes a child to witness an incident or clean up after an incident, is committing family violence.

If you have been involved in an abusive or  violent relationship, it is possible to get the help you need. A knowledgable and skilled psychologist is able to assist either party to the violence, either the victim or the perpetrator. All that is needed is the desire to change, and willingness to work towards change.