Domestic Violence is not just about being physically assaulted or abused by a partner or family member. Domestic Violence occurs when someone you are in a relationship with uses fear and Control on an ongoing basis.
Domestic Violence is about the abuse of power by one person over another. There is a range of behaviours that a perpetrator of domestic violence use to instill fear which include the following;
PHYSICAL ABUSE Physical abuse can be direct assaults on a person by punching, pushing, causing or threatening injury, either by their person or with a weapon; assault on children, being denied access to your home, deprivation of sleep or food.
VERBAL ABUSE Verbal abuse is when you hear constant put-downs, ridicule, name calling, humiliation in public or in private, focus of insults around sexuality, body image, intelligence or parenting skills.
SOCIAL ABUSE Social abuse is someone systematically controlling who you see, who you speak to or receive phone calls, messages or email from, where you go; even where you live so that you become socially or geographically isolated from other people.
FINANCIAL ABUSE Financial abuse consists of refusing your access to money or providing an inadequate allowance; especially where the money is legally due to you whether via welfare entitlements or your own wages or preventing you from seeking or holding down a job.
DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY Using physical strength or violence to intimidate you by causing or threatening to cause damage to your property or valuables, e.g. kicking walls, throwing things, pulling a door off hinges or damaging your furniture, car or personal belongings.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Psychological behaviour and / or comments and taunts to undermine your sense of self, your personal security or which are likely to impose a sense of vulnerability around your personal safety or mental health and wellbeing. E.g. driving dangerously, threatening or causing, injury to pets, making threats about custody of children or asserting that the no one including the courts would believe your story.
SPIRITUAL OR CULTURAL ABUSE Spiritual or cultural abuse is not allowing you to practice your chosen religion or cultural beliefs, or misusing religious or spiritual traditions to justify physical or other abuse towards you.
STALKING Stalking is constantly worrying or frightening you by following you, watching you, phoning or messaging you and waiting outside your home or workplace.
SEXUAL ABUSE Sexual abuse is ANY forced or unwanted sexual contact or activity.
If you are a victim who is suffering any form of abuse from your partner or someone you have a family relationship with, whether you are female or male, and you need help, please contact our office for a chat about your options we offer a free no obligation 30 minute consultation, we can provide advice on how you can protect yourself going forward.
Jurgensen Horne Lawyers 07 5495 2744
