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 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.
Community languages
Access information, advice, and support for people experiencing family violence, and their friends and family. Click on each language to view or download the resources in your preferred language.
Easy English
Information from this website is also available in an Easy English downloadable booklet called ‘How to feel safe at home if there is family violence’.
