What is Domestic Abuse?

According to the DA 2021, Domestic Abuse is abusive behaviour between two or more people who are connected in a domestic settings; including relatives ex partners and current relationships.

2. What is abusive behaviour?

Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:

1. physical abuse (any harm that causes trauma or physical injury to another person’s body)

2. sexual abuse (includes rape and any other sexual activity without consent, understanding or by force). 

3. violent or threatening behaviour (any act that intends to cause harassment or distress to another) 

4. controlling or coercive behaviour / CCB (an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

5. economic abuse (includes financial abuse and any other behaviour that creates economic instability of another). 

6. psychological, emotional or other abuse (any behaviour that manipulate, hurt, weaken or frighten a person mentally and emotionally wellbeing 

For some useful information about the different types of abusive behaviour, how to spot the signs or speak to someone you think is being abused, click here

Who can be a victim of Domestic abuse?

Anyone of any age, race, gender, culture, status or any other background.

​Can children be victims too?

Yes. According to the DA Act 2021, children who witness domestic abuse or experience it directly or indirectly are victims in their own right. Read more here

What are some of the tactics used to control victims?

Perpetrators use a wide range of abusive tactics to have power and control over their victims. At the core, there maybe sexual or physical violence, and too often domestic homicides and suicides..