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Family Violence

Family violence during COVID-19 community resource

In times of crisis, family violence can increase in frequency and severity. Specialist family violence services in the Barwon area are open and continue to provide specialist services to people impacted by family violence during COVID-19. We encourage anyone that needs support or advice to contact the relevant support services via telephone or email. For more information on family violence and support available, please click here for Barwon and click here for Wimmera.

About Family Violence

Family Violence is now recognised to be a serious and widespread problem in our communities.Whatever form it takes, family violence is a fundamental violation of human rights and is unacceptable in any form, in any community and in any culture. It is everyone’s responsibility to reject and prevent violence.

While both women and men can be violent against their partners, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that most family violence is committed by men against women.


What is family violence?

Family violence includes a wide range of behaviours and actions that controls or dominates a partner or family member and causes them to fear for their own or another person’s safety or wellbeing.

It occurs when a family member intentionally uses violence, threats, coercion or intimidation to control or manipulate another family member, partner, or former partner. It happens in all kinds of family or intimate relationships and across all ages, communities and cultures. It may include:

  • violence from one partner toward another partner, including same sex relationships
  • from an adult child toward an elderly parent
  • from an adolescent to a parent
  • from one sibling to another
  • between extended family members
  • and by those providing care in diverse home environments

Abuse can take many forms and includes:

  • physical assault eg punching, hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, choking
  • sexual assault
  • stalking
  • isolation from family, friends and/or social networks
  • controlling access to money or how it is spent
  • emotional and psychological abuse eg constant criticisms, name-calling, belittling and putdowns
  • making all the decisions and controlling what she does
  • preventing practising of cultural or spiritual beliefs
  • intimidation
  • making threats
  • harming pets
  • intentionally damaging property and belongings
  • any behaviour that causes someone to live in fear

Support is available and you are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced family violence you can contact us:

Geelong
(03) 5222 4318
[email protected]

Wimmera
(03) 5381 1211
[email protected]

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land we stand on. We are committed to working toward creating a community where all people indigenous and non-indigenous are safe, connected and empowered to live well. The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre recognises the diverse needs of our community and we ensure our services are inclusive of all children, young people and their families including those who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ and persons living with disability. We work collaboratively with people and partner organisations who also support our diverse client group. Interpreter and translator services are available to all our clients upon request.

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