Family violence is a serious public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. It involves any behavior intended to threaten, harm, intimidate, control, or victimize someone within a family or intimate relationship.
How common is it?
- Around 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men experience family violence in their lifetime.
- National surveys show that nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experienced physical or sexual violence in their home during childhood.
Forms of Family Violence
Family Violence can take many forms, including:
- Physical assault – such as murder, physical injury, inflicting pain, harassment or coercion.
- Threats and intimidation – including property damage and injury to a pet.
- Sexual abuse - actual or threatened sexual contact without consent, such as unwanted touching or rape
- Verbal abuse – such as criticism intended to humiliate or demean a person.
- Social abuse – including isolation from family and friends, moving to a new location, control of all social activity and creation of dependency.
- Economic abuse – including control of money and other assets.
- Emotional abuse – such as blame for relationship and other problems, and other efforts to reduce self-respect or erode personal identity.
Impacts on Health and Wellbeing
Family violence causes serious physical, emotional, and social harm:
- Injury, distress, loss of freedom and personal control
- Links to depression, anxiety, substance misuse, gambling, and suicidal behavior
- One woman is murdered by a partner every week in Australia
- Increased risk during pregnancy, including miscarriage and complications
- Persistent criticism and humiliation can lead to feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and isolation
- Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness among women
Children exposed to violence often experience trauma that can last into adulthood and perpetuate cycles of abuse.
Family violence is preventable. Raising awareness and providing support are key to breaking the cycle and creating safer communities.