ABOUT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
Global, national, state and territory definitions of domestic, family and sexualised violence and criminal codes vary, however violence and abuse is never acceptable in any community, family, institution, place or context.
What is domestic and family violence?
View, share, embed the 'What is domestic and family violence?' animation (4mins).
Below on this page you can read and share: 'What is domestic and family violence?' (PDF).
The choice to use violence
‘I am. I can.' invites reflection about the use of violence (in any form) being a ‘choice’.
View/share/embed the ‘I am. I can' animation (4mins).
Our Interactions
Our interactions always matter, and our dignity is always central. View/share/embed the Our Interactions animation (9mins).
We invite you to explore more in the Responders Lab - a free (donated) interactive opportunity with peers. Explore the Responders Lab content, how to book a session, and read some of the insights and responses to the content.
Our Responses
We cannot guess or assume when responding to violence and abuse. View/share/embed the Our Responses animation (7mins).
We invite you to explore more in the Responders Lab - a free (donated) interactive opportunity with peers. Explore the Responders Lab content, how to book a session, and read some of the insights and responses to the content.
What is domestic and family violence? (PDF)
We invite you to read and share: 'What is domestic and family violence?' (PDF).
Some of the behaviours that may represent domestic and family violence include…
Emotional or psychological abuse such as verbal abuse, threats of violence, isolation, and undermining the victim’s sense of reality. (Explore more insights in Fear)
Physical violence such as physical assault, non-fatal strangulation, and damage or harm to person, pets and property. (Explore more insights in Strangulation)
Sexualised violence such as sexualised assault and other abusive or coercive behaviour of a sexualised nature. (Explore more insights in My Dignity Set)
Reproductive coercion or abuse. When a person is stopped from making their own choices about reproduction. (Explore more insights in Reproductive Dignity)
Economic abuse such as denying a person reasonable financial autonomy or financial support - or accruing debt in their name. (Explore more insights on My economic safety)
Stalking and intimidation such as surveillance and harassment.
Technology facilitated abuse whereby a perpetrator uses electronic devices and online services to monitor, control, threaten, harass or abuse a person.
Spiritual or religious abuse in which spiritual or religious beliefs are used to scare, hurt or control a person.
Systems abuse is closely related to economic abuse. It involves using services and systems to harm and control victims. (Explore more insights in Being Safety & Dad your choice hurts me)
Domestic and family violence is often a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour. But whenever people are subjected to abuse, coercive control, and violence, they resist.
By understanding a victim’s resistance to violence, we better identify the deliberateness and intensity of the violence used against them. We see that just because they couldn’t stop the violence, doesn’t mean they ‘let it happen’.
References in PDF (above)
- Coates, L., & Wade, A. (2007). Language and Violence; Analysis of Four Discursive Operations. Journal of Family Violence, 22 (7), 511-522..
- Wade, A. (1997). Small acts of living: Everyday resistance to violence and other forms of oppression. Journal of Contemporary Family Therapy, Vol 19, pp. 23–40.
- Wade, A. (2000). Resistance to interpersonal violence: Implications for the practice of therapy. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.
OUR ACTIONS
We invite you to open 'Our Actions' to explore more about what actions you can take individually and collectively. View, share, embed 'Our Actions' animation (7mins).
Let's close the gaps that are exploited by people who choose to use violence and abuse.
Let's eliminate excuses about the choice to use violence and abuse.
Let's widen the support options available to victim-survivors of violence and abuse.
Let's increase the choice and control featured within the support options.