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Domestic violence is when someone in a close relationship uses abusive, threatening, or controlling behaviour that makes the other person feel scared, unsafe, or powerless. This can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or financial abuse.
What is domestic violence?
2 in 5
Australian children
are affected by domestic violence
What kinds of relationships can involve domestic violence?
Domestic violence is not just physical abuse
Some people think that domestic violence only occurs when there is physical abuse or physical violence against a person (for example, hitting or kicking someone). However, domestic violence can come in many different forms and other types of abuse, like emotional abuse, can be just as harmful as physical abuse.
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Power and Control Wheel
This power and control wheel from the Alison-Baden Clay Foundation provides some examples of what abuse can look like for young people.
See more of the different types of abuse below.
*Click the wheel to spin
Physical Abuse
- Hitting
- Punching
- Slapping
- Kicking
- Pushing
What are some common types of abuse in domestic violence?
- Throwing objects at body
- Using weapons
- Driving recklessly
- Choking
- Burning
Emotional Abuse
- Name-calling
- Constant negative criticism
- Guilt-tripping
- Blackmailing
- Belittling
- Threatening
- Rejecting ideas/thoughts constantly
- Gaslighting
- Bullying
- Deliberately embarrassing someone
Sexual Abuse
Social Abuse
- Inappropriate touching
- Unwanted sexual activity
- Violent sexual activity
- Unwanted kissing or touching
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Refusing to use protection
- Blackmailing into sexual activities
- Taking photographs of someone's private parts
- Isolating from friends/family
- Spreading false rumours
- Preventing socialisation
- Controlling who someone can see - Preventing someone from working
- Sharing lies about partner
- Controlling social media
- Stopping contact with family
- Withholding financial support
- Destroying or stealing property
What should you do if you are experiencing abuse?
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Tell someone you trust.
Get to a safe place.
Reach out for help.
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