Family violence

We provide refuge accommodation and information on future housing options, as well as referrals to specialised counselling, court support, and material and financial assistance.

What is family and domestic violence?

Family and domestic violence occurs when there is a power imbalance within a relationship, whether intimate partner or family member. It is characterised by secrecy, shame and a dwindling sense of self-worth on the part of the victim and deliberate control by the perpetrator including manipulation, enforced isolation, violence, threats and intimidation. Overwhelmingly, women and their children are abused by their male partners (although women can also be perpetrators/GBLTI victims). This abuse reaches beyond violence and physical injuries and includes:

• Psychological and emotional abuse
• Control and manipulation
• Force and intimidation
• Isolation
• Threats
• Sexual violence
• Financial abuse

Family and domestic violence is experienced by victim survivors from all social, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds around the world. It has been reported that more than a third of women over the age of 15 have experienced physical, psychological and/or sexual violence at the hands of a current or former partner. Further, Indigenous women are 45 times more likely to experience family and domestic violence compared to non-Indigenous women and make up 50% of Australia’s domestic and family violence victims. Women with disabilities are assaulted, raped and abused at a rate of at least two times greater than non-disabled women. Domestic and family violence has detrimental physical, psychological and financial consequences for both individuals and the wider community.