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Family Violence

What is Family Violence?

Family violence is common. In Australia, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, & 1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner. Unfortunately Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander women are at greater risk of family violence, and experience this at roughly triple the rate of non-Aboriginal Australians. 

Family violence is an ongoing pattern of threatening, intimidating or coercive behaviour, in which one person seeks to gain power & control over another person. It includes:

  • Physical violence

  • Emotional & psychological abuse

  • Social abuse 

  • Sexual violence

  • Spiritual abuse

  • Cultural abuse

  • Financial abuse 

Who Causes Family Violence?

Family violence can happen in many different relationships, including:

  • Partners or ex-partners; including girlfriends, boyfriends, wives and husbands 

  • Family members; including parents, grandparents, Aunts,uncles, cousins, siblings, children

  • A carer

  • Somebody who lives in the same house

  • Other intimate relationships of mutual obligation & support 

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