Domestic and Family Violence
What is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV)?
Traditionally, domestic violence is defined as violence or abuse occurring between individuals in an intimate relationship.
Today, it is widely accepted that the term 'Domestic and Family violence' refers to the impact of violence and abuse that often extends beyond the partner relationship to include other family members, such as children; therefore, it becomes domestic and family violence.
The phrase violence fundamentally originates from the word violation. Domestic and family violence constitutes a breach of human rights. All individuals are inherently entitled to freedom from violence and the menace of violence.
Domestic and Family 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, or elders
• relationships with relatives and guardians
• culturally recognised family groups.
Domestic and Family violence is not only physical. It can occur to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. It may persist even after you have exited a violent relationship.
Domestic and Family violence is invariably the responsibility of the perpetrator. The individual subjected to abusive behaviour is never at fault.
Check the YouTube video on what Domestic and Family Violence is
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7i_QA2yLV8&t=1s
If you're in immediate danger, call 000
Statistics on Domestic and Family Violence
• In Australia, one woman is killed every week by her current or former partner.
• In Australia, it’s a leading cause of homelessness for women and children.
• 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and or sexual violence by a current or previous partner since age 15.
• 1 in 16 men have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous partner since age 15
Four key principles
1. DFV involves power and control; it involves an inequitable allocation of power in which one individual exerts dominance over another, employing various forms of abuse and violence to intimidate, dominate, and sustain that control.
2. Violence is a deliberate decision and must not be excused or rationalised under any circumstances. Violence is a choice.
3. Provide education and support to assist the victim with help and additional resources.
4. Safety is a number one priority.
Categories of Violence and Abuse
The nine most common categories are.
1. Physical
2. Sexual
3. Emotional/Psychological (Manipulation-coercive-control)
4. Spiritual and Cultural
5. Financial and Economic
6. Verbal
7. Social
8. Stalking including Cyber
9. Technology facilitated cyber
Coercive Control
Coercive control and how it presents itself in domestic and family violence
• Coercive control is not a distinct form of domestic and family violence; it is an underpinning dynamic of it
• It describes a pattern of abusive behaviours used to control, manipulate and dominate
• These tactics instil fear in people who are abused, wear down their sense of identity and independence, and entrap them by disabling them from accessing safety and support.
Coercive control is intricate and can infiltrate several forms of maltreatment. It encompasses behaviours deemed abusive by a survivor, which may be difficult for others to recognise, such as nonverbal cues, issuing threats, exerting control over decisions, and limiting freedoms. An intentionally selected word may evoke terror and dread when integrated into a pattern of dominating behaviour.
This is a consistently employed behavioural pattern that establishes and perpetuates control and dominance over an individual, aimed at isolating and disempowering them.
Coercive control does not necessarily entail physical violence; many individuals may fail to identify this behaviour as domestic and family abuse.
Common Behaviours
• Isolation from friends and family
• Emotional manipulation, including humiliation and threats
• Limiting economic autonomy
• Surveillance and monitoring are often carried out online.
• Restricting independence by controlling choices, such as where the person can eat, sleep or pray.
• Continually making undermining comments
Need Help
1800RESPECT
Call 1800 737 732 for 24/7 domestic, family and sexual violence counselling and support.
Lifeline.
Call 131114 for 24/7 crisis support, text and online chat available.
13YARN.
Call 132976 for 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Mensline
Call 1300 789978 or access online counselling services for 24/7 support for men.
Mens Referal Service
Call 1300 766 491 for counselling and referral services for men who use controlling behaviour