Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence (also commonly known as Family Violence, Relationship Violence, Intimate Partner Violence & Child Abuse)

“Family and domestic violence is unacceptable in any form. Family and domestic violence is conduct that is violent, threatening, coercive, controlling or intended to cause the family or household member to be fearful. It can include:

  • physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse
  • neglect
  • financial abuse
  • stalking
  • harm to an animal or property
  • restricting your spiritual or cultural participation, or
  • exposing children to the effects of these behaviours

 
Family and domestic violence can affect anyone. It can impact all types of relationships, such as:

  • past or current intimate relationships – including people who are dating or living together, regardless of their gender or sexuality
  • relationships involving carers – where care is provided to older people, people with a disability or a medical condition
  • relatives and guardians
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of family, including extended family, and
  • Other culturally recognised family groups

 
People affected by family and domestic violence may live in fear for themselves and their family, even when they have left a violent relationship.”

- www.humanservices.gov.au

The above definition of domestic violence has been taken directly from the Australian Government’s Human Services website. This website goes on to provide avenues of support available to those who have found themselves to be caught in this cycle of abuse.

Research indicates that family violence is a gendered form of violence whereby four out of five victims are female and are often reluctant to report incidents of violence to the police. It has also identified six likely phases to the cycle of violence. These being the:

  1. build-up of tension phase;
  2. stand-over tactics phase;
  3. explosion phase;
  4. remorse phase;
  5. pursuit phase, and
  6. honeymoon phase

 

Each phase leads to the next and subsequently leaves the abused partner confused and conflicted as they swing between hope and despair, as they experience their partner’s behaviour shift between being a loving partner to one that becomes abusive and violent.

If you recognise you may be caught in a cycle of abuse, we can assist you with identifying your needs unique to you, in relation to your current living circumstances and experience. This is a complex process that requires sensitive considerations as you seek support to reconnect to your sense of value and worth. Therapy also helps relieve the sense of isolation in your suffering as you explore your options in a self-determining way. Further to her existing qualifications, Beverley also hold a ‘Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution’.

Medicare rebates are available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Private Health Fund rebates may apply (no referral required).

Contact Us

(08) 9341 7981