About Domestic Violence

Domestic and family violence is the use of any form of violence or abusive behaviour by one person to gain control of another and is used to describe abuse that occurs in intimate relationships.

In the majority of cases of domestic and family violence, the victims are women and children.

The abuse may still continue after the relationship has ended.

Physical and sexual assault is a criminal offence regardless of whether it happens in the home or on the street.

Forms of Domestic and Family Violence

Some forms of domestic and family violence include:

  • Psychological abuse ­ threats of violence or death, emotional and verbal abuse which threatens, degrades or insults you

  • Sexual abuse ­ being forced to have sex (rape) or being forced to participate in other sexual acts

  • Physical assault ­ punching, hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, choking or the use of weapons

  • Social Abuse ­ being stopped from seeing friends and family

  • Economic abuse ­ having no access to, or control over money and other resources