What is family violence?

Family violence is behaviour of a family member that makes you fearful, makes you do things you don’t want to, or is used to control you.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For non-emergency help from the police, call 131 444.

Family violence is:

violence, or a threat of violence, by someone towards a family member, or
any other behaviour that coerces or controls another family member, or causes them to be fearful.

Family violence is not just physical violence or threats of violence. It can include forms of financial, emotional and psychological abuse.

Some examples of behaviour that is family violence include:

assaults – being hit, kicked, pushed, spat on
sexual assault
stalking
repeated insults or critical comments
damaging or destroying property
killing or injuring an animal belonging to a family member
controlling finances or being unreasonable about providing money needed to meet reasonable living expenses
keeping a family member away from their family, friends or culture
depriving someone of their freedom
pressure, threats or abuse in connection with demanding or receiving dowry
sharing or threatening to share intimate personal pictures or videos.

Children can suffer serious psychological harm from being exposed to family violence.

A child is exposed to family violence if they see, hear or experience the effects of family violence, such as:

overhearing threats of violence
seeing or hearing an assault of a family member
comforting or helping a family member who has been assaulted
cleaning up a place after an assault or property damage, or
being there when police or ambulance officers come after there has been family violence.

You can find information about Legal Aid WA services who specialise in family violence on our webpage, Get help with family violence and your safety.

Reviewed: 29 March 2023

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