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What is family violence?

Family violence (also known as domestic violence or DV) is a serious issue in Australia. It can begin or become worse during pregnancy.

Below, you can find some information about how to recognise family violence and what to do about it.

Types of family violence

Family violence is described by the Family Law Act 1975 as: ‘violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a member of the person’s family or causes the family member to be fearful’.

Family violence can include coercive and controlling behaviour. It does not have to include physical violence or threats. It can involve many types of abuse:

• Emotional abuse — such as blaming, undermining, name calling, making you feel guilty, stalking, yelling, insulting and swearing.
• Financial abuse — such as taking control of all money and finances, stopping you from working, restricting your access to money, credit cards or bank accounts and identity theft to get credit.
• Physical abuse — such as shaking, pushing, hitting, kicking, driving dangerously, physical restraint, deliberately damaging or destroying property and deliberately causing death or injury to a pet.
• Reproductive abuse — also known as reproductive violence or reproductive coercion — happens when you are stopped from making your own choices about your reproductive system and health. This may mean forcing or pressuring you to get pregnant or have an abortion.
• Sexual abuse — including rape, unwanted touching, deliberately causing pain during sex and any other type of forced or unwanted sexual activity, including sexual insults or accusations.
• Social abuse and isolation — such as keeping you away from family and friends, controlling who you see, monitoring phone calls and emails, undermining your family or friends and insulting or criticising you in front of others.
• Verbal abuse — including criticism, name-calling, attacks on your intelligence or how you look, swearing and yelling.

Domestic violence during pregnancy

Women are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence from their partner:

• during pregnancy
• after the birth

This is also known as intimate partner violence. You may experience this abuse for the first time, or it may get worse while you are pregnant.

Harm to both mother and baby

Family violence is never okay and is always dangerous. It’s linked to several types of harm, both to a pregnant mother and her unborn baby. These can include:

• a lower birth weight
• miscarriage
• premature labour
• fetal distress and injury
• depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in the mother
• physical and psychological health problems for both the mother and child

A child is exposed to family violence if they see or hear family violence or experience its effects.

Find out more about how family violence affects babies and children.

What are the warning signs to look out for?

Domestic violence involves domination, intimidation and control. It can be obvious but also subtle. If a partner starts becoming more jealous, possessive and controlling, they may:

• check up on you more frequently
• repeatedly accuse you of being unfaithful
• scare you or hurt you
• make you nervous or afraid to say no
• control who you see or what you wear
• criticise you and the people you love
• say that you’re imagining things or making them up

They may also:

• restrict your access to money or places
• force you to do something
• mislead you
• tell you that you’ll have no support if you leave

What should I do if someone I know is being abused?

If you’re worried about someone you know, you can find out more about the signs of domestic violence. This may help you identify some of these signs and start a conversation with the person you are concerned about.

You can also call one of the support organisations below to ask for advice.

If a pregnant woman lets you know that she is being abused, you can support her by:

• listening without making any judgement and being supportive
• telling her you believe her and it’s not her fault
• asking her if she needs help from a support service
• letting her know you’ll go with her to the support organisation if she wants
• staying in touch and continuing to check how she is

What should I do if I am being abused?

Many health services, including maternity hospitals, have access to social workers and counsellors. They can tell you about your rights and help you access protection and support. They can also give you strategies to manage stress.

Support organisations and helplines you can contact are:

• 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) — a national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
• Lifeline — call 13 11 14 for crisis support.
• Kids Helpline is for anyone aged 5 to 25 years — call 1800 55 1800.
• 13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Call 13 92 76.

Other languages

Health Translations has information on family violence in languages other than English.