What Is Domestic Violence?
"Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, happens in many forms including physical, emotional and economic violence, and can affect people of any age. It does not have to be within the home to be classified as domestic violence. It is a form of violence that can occur within any relationship (family or intimate partner). Domestic violence is about power and control and there are many ways this control can be expressed."
Source: Reach Out Australia
There is no reason for anyone to tolerate violence or abuse of any kind
This means no man, woman or child. Although rare, sometimes a male partner is the victim of his wife's abuse.
There are many kinds of abuse
 Physical |
Emotional |
| Economic |
Social |
| Spiritual |
Financial |
Reach Out Australia is an excellent resource for more information on domestic violence.
Why Domestic Violence Victims Don't Leave
"Leslie Morgan Steiner was in “crazy love” — that is, madly in love with a man who routinely abused her and threatened her life. Steiner tells the dark story of her relationship, correcting misconceptions many people hold about victims of domestic violence, and explaining how we can all help break the silence. (Filmed at TEDxRainier.)"
Early signs of an abusive relationship
Every relationship is different and so might any one experience of abuse or violent behaviour. There are however some common signs to be aware of:
Possessiveness
- Wanting you to stay home.
- Discouraging you from meeting with friends.
- Checking on your whereabouts - often.
- Trying to control where you go and who you are with.
Jealousy
- Accusing you of cheating or flirting with the opposite sex.
- Stalking.
- Checking your mobile phone.
- Hacking into email or Facebook accounts.
- Stopping you from seeing family or friends and often behaving offensively in front of them.
Put Downs
- Making nasty remarks about you either in private or in front of family and friends.
- Using belittling language.
- Frequent criticisms - always focusing on what's wrong with you.
- Blaming you for the problems in the relationship.
- Using sarcasm and/or contemptuous language.
Threatening Behaviour
- Shouting, having a "tantrum", and deliberately damaging things that are important to you.
- Threatening to use violence against you, a member of your family, friend, or a pet.
- Deliberately undermining your self esteem by saying things like, "You can't leave. No one else would want you. You are so pathetic".
Media article about Christmas Violence
Victims Told to Reach Out - Kelly Robinson reports in The Manly Daily of expected increase in domestic violence over the Christmas period includes comments by Christine Bennett (December 16, 2010).
Where to go for help
NATIONAL SERVICES
- Police or Ambulance or Fire - 000 (Australia only)
- Violence Against Women, Australian Says No (Specializes in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault counseling and referrals) - 1800-200-526
- Mensline Australia - 1300-789-978
NEW SOUTH WALES
- Domestic Violence Line (24hr telephone support) - Ph: 1800-656-463 OR 1800-671-442 (TTY)
- Rape Crisis Centre - (02) 9819-6565 OR 1800-424-017 (Country Toll Free)
- Immigrant Women's Speakout (Association For migrant and refugee women who are victims of violence, counselling, bilingual workers) - Ph: (02) 9635-8022 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
- Victims of Crime Support Line (Twenty Four (24) hour telephone information, support and referral for victims of crime) - Ph: (02) 9374-3000 (metro) OR 1800-633-063 (toll free) OR (02) 9374-3175 (TTY)
VICTORIA
- Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (Telephone counselling, information and referral to local services)
Address: 139 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Ph. (03) 9486-9866 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm OR TTY (03) 9417-2155
Email: dvirc@dvirc.org.au
- WIRE - Women's Information and Referral Exchange (Information, support and referral for women) - Ph: (03) 9654-6844 (Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm) OR 1800-136-570 (country callers)
- Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24 hr Crisis support, information, referral to safe accommodation (refuge) for women experiencing abuse in their relationships) - Ph: (03) 9373-0123 OR 1800-015-188 (toll free for country users)
- Centre Against Sexual Assault Crisis (support, counselling, information for people who have been sexually assaulted) - Ph: (03) 9344-2000 (daytime) OR (03) 9349-1766 (After Hours Telephone Service) OR 1800-806-292 (Country)
- Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service (For immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence) - Ph: (03) 9898-3145 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
- Domestic Violence Crisis Service (24hr telephone counselling, referral) - Ph: (02) 6280-0900 OR (02) 6228-1852 (TTY)
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (24 hr) - (02) 6247-2525
NORTHERN TERRITORY
- Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Darwin - Ph: (08) 8945-6200 (9-5 Mon-Fri)
- Crisis Line (General crisis counseling - 24hr service) - 1800-019-116
- Sexual Assault Referral Centre Counselling (support, information, and 24hr crisis care for recent sexual assault) - Darwin - (08) 8922-7156, Alice Springs - (08) 8951-5880
QUEENSLAND
- Brisbane Rape and Incest Crisis Centre - (07) 3391-0004
- Immigrant Women's Support Service (Support for immigrant or refugee women victims of domestic violence, bilingual workers - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm); Domestic Violence (07) 3846-3490; Sexual Assault (07) 3846-5400
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
- Domestic Violence Outreach Service (Telephone and face to face counselling, referral to safe accommodation - 24 hour service 7 days a week) - 1300-782-200
- Crisis Care (After hours crisis support for violence and abuse, suicide, child protection etc, 4pm-9am plus weekends and public.hols) - (08) 8124-4424
- Women's Information Service of South Australia - (08) 8303-0590 OR 1800-188-158 OR 0401-989-860 (SMS)
TASMANIA
- Domestic Violence Crisis Service (Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, weekends 4pm-midnight) - (03) 6233-2529 OR 1800-633-937 OR 1800-608-122 (Statewide)
- Sexual Assault Support Services (Telephone and face to face counseling) - (03) 6231-1811
WESTERN AUSTRLALIA
- Women's Refuge Group Telephone (support, referral to safe accommodation, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) - (08) 9420-7264
- Crisis Care Unit (24hr crisis support for violence, child protection, suicide, etc) - (08) 9325-1111 or 1800-199-008 or (08) 9325-1232 (TTY)
- Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (24 hr Telephone and face to face counselling, female doctors) - (08) 9340-1828 or (08) 9340-1820 or 1800-199-888 (Country callers)
- Women's Refuge and Multicultural Service (Outreach support for immigrant women who are victims/ survivors of domestic violence) - (08) 9325-7716