Family and domestic violence can affect anyone in all types of relationships. It can occur in:
- past or current intimate relationships, including relationships where you are dating or living together, regardless of gender or sexuality
- relationships involving carers of people with a disability or a medical condition
- relationships with relatives and guardians
- culturally recognised family groups.
Family and domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can happen to anyone, at any time, no matter their age, gender or sexual orientation. It can happen anywhere, including at home or at work.
It can continue even when you’ve left a violent relationship.
Watch this video about family and domestic violence.
Controlling behaviour
Controlling behaviour, also known as coercive control, makes you do or believe things you wouldn’t normally. You may be stopped from seeing people, leaving the house or doing other activities important to you.
Physical violence
Physical violence is any violent behaviour or threats of violence. It can be directed at you, your children, other family, friends, pets or property.
It might be:
- hitting
- kicking
- pushing
- choking
- threats of violence or intimidation.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is any sexual behaviour you don’t want, such as being forced into sexual activity against your will or inappropriate touching.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is any behaviour that makes you feel worthless and put down. This can include yelling, insulting, name-calling and swearing.
Stalking
Stalking is behaviour to harass or intimidate. This could be:
- repeated phone calls or messages
- unwanted or obsessive attention
- someone following or monitoring you.
Technology facilitated abuse
Technology facilitated abuse is when someone monitors what you do online. This may include:
- checking your computer and phone use
- using spyware on your phone to track you
- publishing intimate photos of you without your consent, sometimes known as revenge porn.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is behaviour limiting your access to money. Warning signs might be:
- using your money without your permission
- not being allowed to work
- having to account for how you spend your money.
Abuse of older Australians
Abuse of older Australians is any deliberate or unintentional harmful behaviour in a relationship of trust with an older person. It’s any violence or mistreatment that causes harm or distress to an older person. It could be:
- emotional
- psychological
- financial
- physical
- social
- sexual
- neglectful.