What is family and domestic violence?
Any behaviour, that is violent, threatening, controlling or intended to make you or your family feel scared and unsafe can be considered family and domestic violence.
You don't have to live with violence and abuse.
Service Australia link below will give you further information & Options.
Please make yourself aware of your state or country's available supports.
This inspirational video is one victim's account of becoming a victim.
It doesn't have to be this way,
You are not alone. It is not your fault. Abuse is not love
What can I do?
When someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, you may want to help but don’t know what to do. The way you talk and listen to them makes all the difference.
It is common to feel unsure about the best things to say and do, but you should never feel too scared to say something.
There are some simple things you can do to support them:
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Believe them
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Take their fears seriously
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Make sure they have privacy to be able to tell their story
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Respect their right to have control over what they say and the actions they take
The Perpetrator:
Domestic and family violence is not love or respect. It is coercive control and is deliberate controlling and manipulating behaviour.
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The Victim:
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does not realise they are being groomed
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does not realise they are being deliberately isolated from their friends and family
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often takes on the responsibility for their situation and lives in silence
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often lives in denial to the outside world
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feels alone and doesn't have a way out
You don't have to live this way, there is help available
Please view the above video 'Why domestic violence victims never leave'
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If this is you, help is available, talk to someone you can trust​​​​​​
Who to contact
If you or someone you know may be affected by family and domestic violence, you can use the following services to find out more information about how you can offer support or get help.
1800RESPECT phone 1800 737 732
1800RESPECT is a national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling and information referral service. It's open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The 1800RESPECT website also has an online chat function.
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Lifeline
If you need to talk to someone you can trust, you can call 13 11 14 or chat, using the Lifeline website. It's a 24-hour support service.​
The following contacts are Australian based.
Please make yourself aware of your state or country's
family and domestic violence victims support contact phone numbers.
This issue is not isolated to Australia .
It you need to talk to someone you can trust within Australia call
Call: 1800 737 732
Call: 13 11 14