See how much you know about the effects of domestic and family violence in Australia

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See how much you know about the effects of domestic and family violence in Australia

Answer 5 questions and find out what recovering from an experience of domestic and family violence is like.

Which of these is included in the definition of domestic violence?

Check all that apply

Sometimes women think that if their partner isn’t hitting them, it’s not abuse. But in NSW, ‘domestic and family violence includes any behaviour, in an intimate or family relationship, which is violent, threatening, coercive or controlling, causing a person to live in fear.’

As well as those below, it can include limiting a person's access to money, threatening to share private information publicly, humiliating them or constantly putting them down, or forcing them to do something they don't want to do. Usually a number of these things combine to create a contolling and fearful environment.

It is more common than you expect!

1 in 4 Australian women has experienced at least one incidence of physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner and 1 in 4 Australian women has experienced emotional abuse from a partner, since the age of 15.

physical violence

sexual violence

damaging household property

threatening a pet

tracking a partner or family member’s movements

enforcing rules about who a partner or family member can see or what they can wear

True or False: Once a woman has left a violent relationship she is safe. She no longer has to worry about being harmed physically.

False. Abusers can become even more dangerous when they lose power over their victim.

Last year we helped one of our clients find a new home after her abuser was released from prison and tracked her down and assaulted her, leaving her with a fractured eye and a shattered sense of security.

TRUE

FALSE

Experiencing domestic abuse leads to a higher chance of a woman being suicidal (3.5 times higher), developing depression (2.7 times higher) and experiencing anxiety (4 times higher). How much higher is her chance of developing drug or alcohol dependence?

6x. It is not enough for an abuser to take a woman’s physical safety. She is also robbed of her sense of security and self worth. The experience is incredibly difficult to recover from and it can be tempting to numb the pain with drugs and alcohol. Our service teaches other coping strategies like meditation, movement and social connection as a means to improving mental well-being.

1 in 5 Australians believe domestic abuse is the woman’s fault for not leaving. Which of the following are reasons a victim may find it hard to leave:

Select all that apply

Asking the question 'why didn't she leave?' places blame on the victim. All the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the abuser.

Abusive relationships are complex. There are usually multiple factors making escaping incredibly difficult and dangerous. At the moment we are supporting a woman who was prevented from working or studying by her partner which kept her trapped in the relationship, and has made it difficult for her to live independently.

she has nowhere to go

she is not financially independent

she still cares for her abusive partner

she fears the violence could escalate

she believes it is better for the children to stay

she thinks no one will believe her

she is holding onto hope that he will change

her abuser has led her to believe she can't survive without him

When is a woman most likely to seek support or advice about an abusive situation?

54% of women being abused by their current partner will seek help compared to 63% who have left an abusive partner. When a woman is in an abusive relationship her primary need is to escape the violence.

But leaving is just the beginning. Learning to navigate life after experiencing trauma can be extremely challenging. Our social worker helps clients access payments, find suitable accommodation and overcome a range of challenges, and our lawyer provides legal advice.

When she is in an abusive situation

After she has left an abusive situation

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