Domestic Violence Prevention Centre

Everyone is safe to live with justice, freedom and hope in their family, community and country.

Information about domestic violence


What is domestic violence?

Other forms of abuse may include:


Power and Control Wheel

Domestic violence generally occurs as a pattern of behaviours that are linked by power and control. This means that one person in the relationship intentionally and deliberately rules by fear, suppresses the others free will, intimidates, coerces and threatens to or actually does harm to the other, as a way and means to control or have power over them.

Power and Control is at the centre of the Wheel. Each spoke of the Wheel represents a particular tactic which may be used by the person who is using control. The rim of the Wheel that holds it together is actual and threatened physical and sexual violence.

Power and control wheel

Adapted from: Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs
202 East Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-722-2781 | www.TheDuluthModel.org


Equality Wheel

In a healthy relationship power is shared and negotiated between partners, with neither partner believing they have a right to control the other person.

Both parties feel comfortable, safe and treat each other with respect.

Equality wheel divided into segments that describe non-violence, corresponding with the power and control wheel.

Adapted from: Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs
202 East Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-722-2781 | www.TheDuluthModel.org


Signs of an abusive relationship

The following is a checklist of warning signals that may assist you to identify if you are in an abusive relationship.

If you check any of the following boxes, it is likely that your partner may be choosing to use a form of power and control over you, and we encourage you to speak to a specialist domestic violence support agency.

If you are worried about the behaviour of your partner please contact a specialist domestic and family violence service to discuss your concerns.


Effects of domestic violence

Domestic violence can have a significant impact on your health and well-being both in the immediate and longer term, continuing even after the relationship has ended. The psychological consequences of violence can be as serious as the physical effects.

They may include:

  • Physical injuries - such as cuts, scrapes and bruises, fractures, dislocated bones
  • Hearing or vision loss
  • Miscarriage or early delivery
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Stress related illnesses
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Confusion
  • Low self esteem
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Alcohol and substance use/misuse
  • Hyper-vigilance
  • Difficulty making decisions

If you are concerned about your health please talk to a health professional.

There is mounting evidence that domestic violence has long term negative consequences for survivors even after the abuse has ended.
(Campbell et al 2002)

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For Aboriginal women

Aboriginal women continue to report higher levels of physical violence during their lifetime than non-Aboriginal women.

The close-knit nature of the Aboriginal Community with its kinship networks means that family violence has the potential to affect a wide circle of people. As an Aboriginal woman you may be concerned about shame and the impact speaking about or doing something about the domestic violence on your family and community. Your obligations and loyalties may make it even more difficult to leave.

A specialist Domestic Violence service can provide you with confidential information and support without pressure or judgement about your choices. They can help you work out ways that you and your children can be safer and help you, if you want to, make contact with an Aboriginal support agency.

For more information about DVPC services click here.
For more information about other services click here.

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For women from overseas

As a woman from a culturally and linguistically diverse background who has experienced domestic violence you may be feeling extremely vulnerable and isolated. You may also have experienced challenges and barriers in finding out about what to do or where you can get help. You may also be concerned about your residency or citizenship status and what might happen if you report the violence.

A specialist Domestic Violence service can provide support, information and referral and can assist you using a professional interpreter if you want to. There are a number of other agencies such as The Immigrant Women’s Support Service that have information available in languages other than English.

For more information about DVPC services click here.
For more information about other services click here.

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For people with a disability

People with a disability experience domestic and family violence at high rates and may also experience barriers to accessing support or justice outcomes.

Seeking support can be particularly complex particularly when the perpetrator is also your carer or support person. This can also make the decision to leave a violent relationship very difficult.

A specialist domestic violence service recognises and understands some of the challenges that a person with a disability who experiences domestic and family violence may face. They can provide you with support in relation to the domestic violence and assist you to link with disability support agencies and advocacy services.

For more information about DVPC services click here.
For more information about other services click here.

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For LGBTIQ

Domestic Violence in LGBTIQ relationships is estimated to occur at approximately the same rates as heterosexual relationships. It is believed that incidents of violence are often unreported because people are reluctant to reveal their sexual identity or seek support from systems that are challenged by and not set up to support individuals who do not identify as straight or within existing gender constructs.

People who are in same sex relationships who are experiencing domestic violence may be threatened by “outing” as a means of control and coercion. They may also be concerned about seeking support, fearful of their privacy and the impact on their relationships with families, workplaces and friends.

While the tactics of power and control are the same for same sex and heterosexual relationships other tactics particular to same sex relationships include:

Using emotional abuse by humiliating you and questioning whether you are a “real” lesbian or woman

Using coercion and threats and threatening to out you to family, friends and colleagues or threatening to leave, harm themselves or suicide

Denying, minimising and blaming by accusing you of mutual abuse and trying to normalise it as normal behaviour in same sex relationships

Using privilege by defining roles or duties in the relationship and using the systems against you to cut off or limit your access to resources

Using intimidation by looks and actions used to reinforce homophobic or transphobic control

Using isolation and acting jealously about past partners and saying no-one will believe you about the violence or trust you because you are lesbian, gay, transgender or bisexual

Using children by threatening to tell the authorities or ex -spouse that you are lesbian, gay, transgender or bisexual and making you feel guilty about the children.

For more information about DVPC services click here.
For more information about other services click here.

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For young women

 

For information and support for children and young people click here.
For more information about DVPC services click here.
For more information about other services click here.

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What about women who use violence?

Whilst the use of violence is never condoned it is helpful to understand that the violence used by women against their male partners can take several forms:

Self-defence when a woman uses as much force as is reasonably necessary to defend herself against an assault in an effort to protect herself from further violence.

Retaliatory violence describes a situation where a woman hits back after experiencing a long history of violence and abuse from her partner. Although she may use violence in this incidence, she is not the most powerful or most dangerous person in the relationship. She may continue to fear for her safety.

There are a small percentage of relationships where women use violence as a pattern of abuse using power and control against their partners. However, statistics compiled from Police reports, Hospital Accident and Emergency Departments, Court data, and Domestic Violence Counselling Services suggests these types of relationships are only a small minority.

As it is for women, it can be difficult for men to reach out to seek help to become safe as they may feel ashamed or are embarrassed to talk about it.

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Domestic violence during pregnancy

Unfortunately for many women, pregnancy can be the beginning or escalation of domestic violence in their relationship. Research has shown that many women experience domestic violence during pregnancy and for some women their first experience of domestic violence occurs during their pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, the abuse is dangerous not only to you but also to your baby, especially if you sustain a blow to the abdomen. Studies show that intimate partner violence during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight babies and foetal injury or even death.

Further studies also show that women who experience violence during pregnancy have an increased risk of experiencing post-natal depression.

Warning signs

  • Does your partner act like he is jealous of the baby?
  • Does your partner threaten to take your baby when it is born?
  • Does your partner try to harm your baby by striking, pushing, poking or twisting your stomach?
  • Does your partner prevent you from seeing your doctor or obstetrician?
  • Does your partner question the paternity of the baby saying he is not the father?
  • Does your partner call you names such as “stupid”, “bitch”, “fat”, “ugly”?

If you recognise any of the warning signs then you may be in a dangerous situation. You can call a specialist Domestic Violence Service for support, counselling, and referrals to local resources.

Domestic Violence is relatively common during pregnancy.
(Burch and Gallop 2004)

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Effects of domestic violence on children

The effects of domestic and family violence are experienced by all family members. Children who witness violence experience the same fear, intimidation and threat to their safety that you experience.

Children can be witnesses to violence, experience the violence and may be co-opted into perpetrating violence.

Studies show that children who witness domestic violence are more likely to:

  • Display aggressive and/or socially inappropriate behaviours
  • Have diminished self-esteem and self-worth
  • Have poor academic performance, problem solving skills and concentration
  • Show emotional distress, phobias, anxiety or depression
  • Have physical illness or concerns

As a consequence of the violence they may:

  • Avoid having friends over in case violence occurs
  • Be distrusting of adults
  • Feel guilt, shame and feel responsible for the violence and for stopping it
  • Learn inappropriate behaviours
  • Copy the aggressive behaviour of the perpetrator
  • Learn to comply, keep quiet and not express feelings
  • Learn to keep secrets and “keep up appearances”

Children who live with and are aware of violence in the home face many challenges and risks that can last throughout their lives.
(Behind Closed Doors, Unicef 2008)

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Impact of domestic violence on parenting

When domestic violence occurs in a family there is an impact on the mother and child relationship. As a mother your confidence in your parenting abilities and your connection with your children may have been negatively affected. The way that you mother and nurture your children may have had to change in order to keep your children and yourself safe.

The perpetrator may also be actively undermining you as a mother and your relationship with your children. Tactics used may include:

  • Preventing you from attending to your baby or child when they need help or comfort
  • Putting you down or ridiculing you in front of them
  • Co-opting them into insulting you eg “ Tell mummy how stupid she is”
  • Undermining her authority by making statements like “ It doesn’t matter what mummy said I am the boss in this house”
  • Blaming the mother for bad things happening eg. “it’s all mummy’s fault ….”
  • Telling the children that the mother doesn’t love them or care for them
  • Hurting the children and stopping the mother from protecting or soothing them
  • Bribing with gifts and treats and comparing themselves to the mother – “mummy doesn’t buy you these – only daddy takes you to fun places”, etc.

In order to rebuild your relationship with your children you can:

  • Work at keeping the channels of communication open by being present and listening to their concerns
  • Let your children know that you love them
  • Take time to do fun things as a family
  • Model non-violent problem solving techniques
  • Reinforce positive behaviours
  • Encourage and support your children if they want to get counselling
  • Design a safety plan with your children.

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Children’s Domestic Abuse Wheel

Children's domestic abuse wheel

Adapted from: Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
Duluth, MN 218/722-4134

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