What is domestic and family violence?

Domestic and family violence refers to any repeated behaviour or pattern of behaviours used by an intimate, current or previous partner or a family member to exercise power and control. These behaviours are abusive and cause feelings of fear and unsafety.

Domestic and family violence:

• is an abuse of power and is never the fault of the person who experienced it. No one has the right to hurt someone else or make them live in fear
• can happen to people of any age, gender, sexuality, culture, religion, socio-economic status and social background
• can include behaviours that are:
  • physical
  • psychological
  • sexual
  • financial
  • spiritual
  • social
  • image based
• can also occur through email, text, messaging, social media posts and other forms of electronic communication.

What are the impacts of domestic and family violence?

We recognise the impact domestic and family violence has on a student being able to fully achieve their academic potential.

For people experiencing domestic and family violence the impacts are devastating and can affect all areas of their life. Impacts can include but are not limited to the following.

• Emotional and psychological trauma: Anxiety, depression, feeling scared, worried or ‘on edge’, dissociation, feelings of worthlessness and shame.
• Homelessness: Nearly one-third of people in NSW seeking help from homelessness services say domestic and family violence are an issue.
• Children: Exposure to domestic and family violence can affect every aspect of a child’s life. The violence does not need to be aimed at them specifically in order for the effects to be traumatising and long-lasting.

Additional resources

1800RESPECT

For detailed information about domestic violence behaviours, visit 1800RESPECT.

eSafety Commissioner

For information about technology-facilitated abuse, visit the eSafety Commissioner website.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

For statistics and information about at-risk groups, visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.