Family Violence Information: Community
Definition | Facts and figures | Indicators | Planning a safe exit | Contacts
Definition of family violence
Family Violence is the repeated use of violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour by an individual against a family member(s), or someone whom they have, or have had, an intimate relationship.
Violent behaviour includes not only physical assaults but an array of power and control tactics used along a continuum in concert with one another, including direct or indirect threats, sexual assault, emotional and psychological torment, economic control, property damage, social isolation and behaviour which causes a person to live in fear. (Taken from Domestic Violence Victoria Code of Practice)
Family violence is a crime and is unacceptable. It is not the fault of the victim. The perpetrator chooses to behave in this manner.
Facts and figures
Research suggests that Family Violence occurs in all socio-economic groups and cultures. In Victoria for each of the years 1999 to 2004 approximately 80% of victims were women and children and 20% were male. (Victorian Community Council Against Violence (2006) Victorian Family Violence Database, Five year report).
An understanding of implicit and explicit power within gender relations assists to explain one of the most obvious features of family violence, the fact that the overwhelming majority of offenders are male and the overwhelming majority of people abused are women and children.
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Indicators
The indicators of family violence are not always obvious. Care must also be taken not to jump to conclusions, because some of the indicators may be attributable to other causes. However if there is a pattern or history of these indicators, there may be a history of abuse.
Women
- Physical injury including bruising (especially to chest, breasts, abdomen, and genitals), broken bones, burn marks.
- Abused women are more likely to experience chronic pain.
- Greater risk of suicide attempts.
- High risk of substance (alcohol and drug) abuse.
- Depression, panic phobia, anxiety, sleeping disorders, emotional problems.
- Higher rates of miscarriage (pregnancy is often a time when family violence begins or is exacerbated).
- Frequent diagnoses of vague complaints and use of minor tranquillizers and pain killers.
- High stress levels.
- Fewer coping and problem solving skills.
- Social isolation, (including from family support).
Children
- Low birth weight for gestational age.
- Physical injuries, bruising, burns, injuries to genitals (particularly with implausible explanations).
- Prone to adjustment problems.
- Depression.
- Low self esteem.
- Nervous and withdrawn demeanour.
- Headaches, abdominal complaints, asthma, peptic ulcers, stuttering.
- Bedwetting.
- Restlessness.
- Excessive cruelty to animals.
- Mimicking aggressive language and behaviour in their play.
- Decreased interpersonal sensitivity that is a reduction in ability to understand social situations, including thoughts and feelings of people involved.
- Lower social competency, particularly boys.
- Adjustment problems.
- Accident problems.
- Malnutrition.
Young people
- Physical injuries, bruising, burns, injuries to genitals (particularly with implausible explanations).
- School absenteeism.
- Self harming i.e. slashing, cutting.
- Drug use i.e. chroming, alcohol etc.
- Suicidal ideation and behaviour.
- Eating disorders.
- Hyper-vigilance or exaggerated startle response.
- Arrive early and /or stay late at school.
- Lack of enthusiasm or concentration.
- Depression, anxiety.
- Low self esteem.
- Nervous or withdrawn demeanour.
- Health complaints, such as headaches, abdominal problems, asthma, stuttering.
- Aggressive or violent behaviour.
- Addictive behaviour, e.g. over zealous sporting activities.
- Firelighting.
- Abuse of animals.
- Absconding behaviour.
- Social changes in school or work performance.
- Difficulties with trust in adults, emotional attachments and maintaining relationships.
- Difficulties with trust in adults, emotional attachment and maintaining relationships.
(Taken from the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre training booklet, "Young People and Domestic Violence" - August 2006)
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Planning a safe exit
Your safety (and your children's) is a priority. Do you feel safe at home at the moment?
If you are considering leaving a violent situation and have time to plan your exit please consider these things:
- Documentation - can you hide or store documents such as such as Medicare cards, pension, bank details, marriage/birth certificate, passports, and drivers licence.
- If there is an intervention order or other legal papers, keep them with you.
- If possible, save money for transport or other costs.
- Clothing - keep a set for you and dependants/children in a bag in case there is a need to leave quickly.
- Have any spare medication easily available.
- If there are children, include some children's toys in the emergency packed bag.
- Carry a list of telephone numbers to call in an emergency.
- Keep a spare set of house/car keys in a safe place.
- Keep a mobile phone for emergency use.
- Talk to the children about the situation. They will probably be aware of what is going on. If appropriate, discuss the escape plan. If possible, take children/dependants with you as it can be difficult to gain access to them otherwise at a later date.
- If possible leave when the abuser is not around to ensure your safety.
- Support may be accessed from the police or other agency to return home to get other belongings later.
(Thanks to Barown South West Region Integrated Family Violence Project)
Women and men's service contacts
Gippsland Women's Health Service does not provide a direct service to people experiencing family violence.
Contact details for Gippsland Family Violence Services are available here (pdf 142Kb).
If you are in a violent situation, know someone who is experiencing violence, or know someone who is using violence, please refer to the key contacts listed here.