FAQ - Family Violence
What is Family Violence?
Family violence is when a family member makes another feel fearful for their wellbeing or safety. A family member is anyone you have a family relationship with, including your partner, ex partner, children, relatives, carers and anyone you consider family. It does not matter whether or not you are married.
Family violence is not just physical violence, for example hitting and pushing. It includes a range of other behaviours, such as when someone:
Family violence can happen at any time and is never okay. Family violence is against the law. Family violence can increase when a family member is affected by an addiction such as alcohol, drugs or gambling, or by mental illness, or by stress caused by relationship issues or financial stress. You can get help to deal with family violence. Perpetrators of family violence can be charged by the police.
Family violence is not just physical violence, for example hitting and pushing. It includes a range of other behaviours, such as when someone:
- threatens you, for example threatens to hurt you, another person or your pet, or to damage property
- forces you to have sex or do sexual acts
- calls you names or puts you down
- controls all the household money, or pressures you for money or property
- stops you from seeing or interacting with friends or family
- prevents you from practicing your religion or culture.
Family violence can happen at any time and is never okay. Family violence is against the law. Family violence can increase when a family member is affected by an addiction such as alcohol, drugs or gambling, or by mental illness, or by stress caused by relationship issues or financial stress. You can get help to deal with family violence. Perpetrators of family violence can be charged by the police.
How are children affected by family violence??
Children can be affected by seeing, hearing, experiencing or being aware of family violence happening, and by seeing the effects of family violence. This can include, for example, seeing bruising, crying and property damage, or cleaning up after family violence.
Children who have been affected by family violence may:
Children who have been affected by family violence may:
- live in fear, which can have serious long-term effects
- feel responsible for violence
- try to make things easier for you or the other parent, by not saying how they really feel
- have difficulty concentrating at school or doing their usual activities and routines
- become aggressive and have difficulty with their friendships
- feel depressed, anxious, helpless and overwhelmed
More information - Parental Conflict and its Affect on Children | |
File Size: | 143 kb |
File Type: |
How children Can be helped?
It is important for parents to get help to stop the violence and to talk to their children and tell them the violence is not their fault. Children need to know that they are not forgotten. They need parents who keep them safe and that they can speak with them about feeling frightened, angry or confused.
Parents and children may need help from professionals, such as a family violence program, a doctor or counsellor, to deal with the effects of violence.
Parents and children may need help from professionals, such as a family violence program, a doctor or counsellor, to deal with the effects of violence.
Where to go for help?
- Ringwood Family Relationship Centre
(03) 9871 6300.
Provides information referral and when appropriate and safe dispute resolution about parenting arrangements.
www.ringwoodfrc.org.au/ - Eastern Community legal service
1300 797 088
eclc.org.au
For free Legal Advice. - EDVOS (Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Service)
(03) 9259 4200
www.edvos.org.au/ - Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24hour)
1800 015 188
safesteps.org.au - Men’s Referral Service
1300 766 491
mrs.org.au