Family safety

Domestic and family violence doesn’t always involve physical violence. An abusive relationship might be:

• Physical: This could be punching, slapping, shaking, or hitting with an object. It could also include restricting movements and disabling mobility devices or withholding items like food, medicine, hand wash, and sanitiser.
• Financial: This involves controlling how someone spends their money, forbidding them from working, or limiting the amount of petrol in the car. 
• Emotional and/or psychological: This might include using COVID-19 to control or frighten someone, or using it as an excuse for violent behaviour. It can also be putdowns and insults, jokes at someone’s expense, disrespectful language, manipulation, and withholding affection.
• Sexual: This might involve physical abuse such as rape and forced acts, or telling someone they’re only good for sex.
• Technological: This could involve using technology to control, embarrass, or degrade someone, or monitoring someone’s communication on their phone or online without their knowledge.
• Spiritual: This includes disrespecting someone’s religion or not letting them practise their religion.

There are many forms of abuse, and none of them are acceptable at any time.

You can read more about the different types of domestic and family violence in this article from Family Violence Law Help.

If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, please contact the police in your State on 000.

If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through the 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.

A Safety Plan is a guide to help you and your children stay safe from violence and harm. If you are planning to leave your partner and are concerned for the safety of yourself or your child/ren, it is recommended you consult with your local domestic violence support service, which can assist you to make a plan which suits your particular situation. Some of the things you may consider as part of your plan, include:

• Having a bag ready with things you will need, and hiding or giving it to a trusted friend or family member to keep for you 
• Having someone check in with you at agreed times, or call them at agreed times
• Having a code word/symbol that you can use via the phone, text or social media that tells a friend, family or colleagues that you feel unsafe and need assistance
• Deciding on the best way to leave the house (which door and windows) if you need to leave in a hurry
• Thinking about where you will go if you have to leave in a hurry, and knowing where the nearest police station is
• Keeping your phone charged and having the phone number of a domestic violence crisis service in a safe place.

You can learn more about how to make a safety plan with this helpful information from 1800RESPECT.

If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, please contact the police in your state on 000.

If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through the 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.

Yes, people experiencing abuse are urged to prioritise their safety and the safety of their child/ren.

If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, please contact the police in your State on 000.

If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through the 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 

1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.

They can help you create a safety plan and refer you to other support services like free legal advice and refuge shelters.