It can be hard to tell if someone is experiencing domestic and family violence; they may not want you to know, or it may not be safe to talk with you.

DFV is often a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviours that could include:

• Emotional or psychological abuse such as verbal abuse, threats of violence, isolation, and undermining the victim’s sense of reality.
• Physical violence such as physical assault, non-fatal strangulation, and damage or harm to person, pets and property.
• Economic abuse such as denying a person reasonable financial autonomy or financial support - or accruing debt in their name.
• Sexualised violence such as sexualised assault and other abusive or coercive behaviour of a sexualised nature.
• Reproductive coercion or abuse. When a person is stopped from making their own choices about reproduction.
• Stalking and intimidation such as surveillance and harassment.
• Technology facilitated abuse whereby a perpetrator uses electronic devices and online services to monitor, control, threaten, harass or abuse a person.
• Systems abuse. Using services and systems to harm and control victims and/or incur costs.
• Spiritual or religious abuse in which spiritual or religious beliefs are used to scare, hurt or control a person.

If you would like to connect with a domestic violence service, you can search our Directory for services across the country.

Source: Insight Exchange (DVSM)