Domestic violence is where one person in a domestic relationship does things to hurt or control the other person in the relationship.

Domestic violence happens between people in domestic relationships. Domestic relationships include:

  • people who are married, partnered, or in romantic relationships
  • people who live together or used to live together (including partners or ex-partners)
  • people who are relatives and family members
  • people who live in the same house but are not relatives, like carers and housemates.

Domestic violence can include many things: 

  • hurting or threatening someone
  • calling someone names to make them feel bad
  • taking or controlling someone’s money
  • stopping someone from going to work or seeing friends
  • calling or texting someone after they ask you to stop
  • following or watching someone to make them scared
  • damaging someone’s things or hurting their pets
  • other controlling actions.

Domestic violence can be verbal, physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or social. It can also include neglect.

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Text based resources about this topic

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What is domestic and family violence?
Domestic violence

This web page has information for young people about domestic violence and feeling safe. 

Family safety pack (46 languages)

The family safety pack explains what Australian law says about domestic and family violence, sexual assault, forced and early marriage, and family violence and partner visas. The pack is translated into 46 different language.

Domestic and family violence fact sheet (English)

This fact sheet explains what Australian law says about domestic and family violence.

Facts about: Domestic violence

This fact sheet has information about domestic violence.

Safety Planning

This booklet explains what a safety plan is and gives information to help you make one.

Warning Signs

This page can help people know if domestic violence (DV) is happening in their family.

 

Relationship Checklist

This page might help people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer understand if they are in a relationship with domestic violence.

What is domestic and family violence?

This website gives information in many languages about what domestic violence is.

Watch videos about this topic

Watch

Domestic Violence – CAALAS Night Patrol (Warlpiri)

A short film that explains domestic violence and the law in Walrpiri language.

 

Domestic Violence – CAALAS Night Patrol (Eastern Arrerrnte)

A short film explaining domestic violence and the law in Eastern Arrerrnte.

 

Domestic Violence – CAALAS Night Patrol (PITJANTJATJARA)

A short film explaining domestic violence and the law in Pitjantjatjara.

 

What’s the Law – Family Violence

This is a short film in Yolngu Matha about domestic violence and what you can do.

 

Resources to listen to

Listen

What is Domestic and Family Violence (Audio in many languages)
Domestic and Family Violence

This website helps you learn about DV in many languages.

 

 

View graphic resources like posters and photos

Look

Domestic and family violence storyboard

This poster shows people what the law in Australia says about domestic and family violence, and how to get help.

Click here to view Domestic and family violence storyboard
Do I have to report domestic violence?

This poster helps you know when to report domestic violence.

Click here to view Do I have to report domestic violence?

Glossary: What these words mean

domestic and family violence

When one person uses violence, threats, force or intimidation to try and control another person in a domestic relationship. Domestic violence includes:

  • what someone says
  • what someone does
  • what someone threatens to do.

Domestic violence can include damaging property, controlling money, or controlling where a person goes and who they see.

violent

When someone uses their actions or words to hurt someone else.

domestic relationship

Domestic relationships are relationships covered by domestic violence law:

  • husband or wife
  • boyfriend or girlfriend
  • partner or ex-partner
  • sister or brother
  • aunt or uncle
  • grandparent or grandchild
  • nephew, niece, or cousin
  • carer
  • any person who lives in the same house.
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