Second Draft
Domestic and Family Violence
What is Domestic Violence?
In Australia, it is a crime to hurt a person you live with or to do things that make them feel scared or intimidated, like breaking property or not letting you have money or see friends or family. Everyone has a right to feel safe and live free from violence. There are different ways to get help if you feel like you are experiencing domestic and family violence.
Both in Australia and globally, domestic violence is often viewed as a ‘private’ matter. In most cultures around the world, men are considered the ‘head of the household’ which contributes to the idea that what happens at home is a ‘private matter’. However, a shift is occurring where awareness is growing reinforcing the understanding that DV is a form of abusive behaviour and is never okay.
What is the law?
Family and domestic violence is anything that makes you fearful for your own safety. It is a crime and should be reported to the police.
In Australia, domestic and family violence is considered a crime. Domestic and family violence can take make forms:
Physical abuse
Punching, hitting, kicking, pushing, throwing things at a person.
Using weapons, for example, knives, guns or other objects.
Forcing a person to take drugs, withholding food, medicine or not allowing a person to sleep.
Sexual abuse
Touching a person, including kissing them, without their consent.
Forcing or pressuring a person to do something sexual they do not want to do.
Emotional and phycological abuse
Threatening to harm a person, their children or their property.
Using manipulation or mind games to make a person think they are crazy.
Controlling what a person can do or say. For example, what they can wear.
Threatening to kill or hurt themselves to control a person.
Threatening to share intimate images or videos of a person.
Telling a person they will be deported from Australia, that police will not help them, or that no one will believe them.
Verbal abuse
Yelling, screaming, swearing at or humiliating a person.
Calling a person names or putting them down, for example attacking their intelligence, sexuality, race or ethnicity, body image or capacity as a parent or partner.
Social abuse
Humiliating or shaming a person in public.
Moving to a locating where a person has not friends, support or employment opportunities. .
Isolating a person from other people. For example, stopping someone from seeing or contacting their friends or family, or by being rude to their friends or family to alienate them.
Financial abuse
Taking complete control of all money, stopping a person from working or studying.
Demanding money from someone or taking their belongings.
Closely monitoring a person’s spending or by giving them a small allowance.
Stopping a person from accessing money such as bank accounts, cash pensions or benefits.
Forcing a person to sign documents, take on debts or claim welfare payments.
Spiritual abuse
Criticising a person’s cultural background or religion; stopping a person from practicing their religion, faith or culture.
Forcing a person to do things against their beliefs or join a religion.
Using religions teaching or cultural tradition to justify violence.
Harassment or stalking
Following, watching, monitoring a person or going through personal information. For example, emails, social media, text messages, browsing histories or phone bills.
Harassing a person through their phone or over the internet. For example, through repeated calls, text messages or emails.
Damage or property
Taking, damaging or destroying property.
Damaging the house. For example, punching walls, breaking windows and kicking in doors
The policy may charge the violent person with assault and/or apply for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) for your protection. Many police stations also have Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLOs) who should be helpful and understanding of you report domestic violence. Police can get a temporary ADVO quickly to protect you until you can go to court. This type of ADVO is called a Provisional Order.
If the victim would like to remain in the house with the children, in some circumstances police have the power to exclude the violent person from the home.
Below are links to various factsheets and resources that can provide you with more information:
Breakdown of relationship – Partner visa
Domestic Violence Help at Court
What are Domestic Violence Orders?
What Types of Things can a Domestic Violence Order Stop?
What Happens at Court?
Where can I go for help?
Interrelate Family Centres
Provides family support and referrals for families experiencing domestic and family violence. Interrelate have an office at 495 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300.
Phone: 1300 473 528
NOVA Family Centres
Nova supports women by providing access to information, advice, referral, outreach support and transitional accommodation. Nova have an office at 588 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, NSW, 2302.
Phone: (02) 4023 5620
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program
The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (WDVCAP) provides women and their children with information, advocacy, and safety planning where necessary. WDVCAP also assists women during court proceedings and will refer other agencies or services that might provide aid.
Phone: (02) 4940 8766 and 1800 938 227
Family Advocacy and Support Services
Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) provide free support and legal help if you are facing domestic and family violence. FASS can help if you need to go to court or if you need help from a lawyer. A lawyer or support worker will be at the Family Law Court, located at Level 4, 61 Bolton Street, Newcastle, 2300.
Phone: (02) 9219 6300
Carrie’s Place
Carrie’s Place provides a range of activities including free legal clinics and domestic and family violence education groups to support women their families experiencing domestic and family violence. Carrie’s Place is located at United 12, 116 High Street, East Maitland, NSW, 2323.
Phone: (02) 4934 2585 and (02) 4933 1960.
Hunter Women’s Centre
The Hunter Women’s Centre (HWC) provides counselling, group workshops and information for women and their families experiencing domestic and family violence. HWC cannot provide legal advice, however, it can provide women with referrals to other services when needed. HWC is located at 58-60 Industrial Drive, Mayfield 2304.
Phone: (02) 4968 2511
Hunter Community Legal Centre
The Hunter Community Legal Centre (HCLC) provides free legal advice by telephone to people who live, work or study in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Great Lakes and Hunter Valley regions. HCLC is located at Unit 2, 116 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, 2300.
Phone: (02) 4040 9120