Are you unsafe right now
What is family violence?
Family violence is when your partner, ex, carer, family member or someone you’re in a ‘family-like’ relationship with uses threatening, controlling and violent behaviour that makes you scared for your own – or someone else’s – safety and wellbeing.
Family violence doesn’t always involve physical or sexual abuse. People use a wide range of abusive behaviours to maintain power and control in relationships. No matter what form it takes, family violence is never acceptable.
It is never okay for someone to:
- Control where you go or who you speak to
- Physically attack or hurt you
- Threaten you or your loved ones, including a pet
- Limit your access to necessities, including face masks or healthcare
- Stalk or monitor you, including online
- Force you to do sexual things you don’t want to do
- Regularly put you down, humiliate you or attack your self-esteem
- Control your finances and financial decisions
- Threaten to take away something you value, like custody of your children or your visa status
- Stop you from practising religious, spiritual or cultural beliefs and rituals
- Make you feel scared to say ‘no’ to doing something
Are you concerned someone you know may be experiencing family violence? Read our information for friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.