Support is available if you’re experiencing domestic and family violence
Family violence – which is violence between family members, such as between parents and children, siblings, and intimate partners – is a crime, but unfortunately it’s a reality for many people across the country.
Domestic violence is a type of family violence, and refers specifically to violence that occurs between current or former intimate partners (sometimes referred to as ‘intimate partner violence’).
Both family violence and domestic violence include behaviours such as:
- physical violence (hitting, choking, use of weapons)
- emotional abuse, also known as psychological abuse (intimidating, humiliating)
- coercive control (controlling access to finances, monitoring movements, isolating from friends and family).
On average, the effects of this violence are more severe for women and more frequent for gender-diverse people.
Family violence during COVID-19
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increase in family violence in Australia.
Some of the reasons include disruptions to normal lifestyle and routines, and significant pressure on emotions, finances, work or study, and overall health and wellbeing.
These issues can strain personal and family relationships, exacerbate existing domestic problems or increase risk to victims already experiencing family violence.
If your personal home situation has changed or deteriorated during COVID-19, please seek help.
Important information for people on a visa
If you’re on a permanent or temporary visa and are experiencing family violence, you need to know that seeking help will not affect your visa status. Visa applicants should not remain in violent or dangerous relationships for a visa outcome under any circumstances.
Remember that:
- You and your family members do not have to stay in an unsafe environment in order to remain in Australia.
- People experiencing family violence will not have their visa cancelled if their relationship breaks down because of family and domestic violence.
- The person committing family violence (the perpetrator) cannot cancel your visa.
- A perpetrator of family violence may have their visa refused or cancelled.
The Department of Home Affairs, which manages Australian immigration and citizenship, can help you with your personal situation, so contact them for information and support.
How to get help if you feel unsafe
In an emergency
- If you’re experiencing violence, or are worried about someone else’s safety, call Victoria Police or go to a police station. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
- If English is not your first language, call Triple Zero (000) and tell them your language. They will connect you to an interpreter.
- If you have a hearing impairment or have difficulty being understood verbally, the National Relay Service can help with an emergency call.
- If you need to leave a violent situation, you should – regardless of current or future restrictions in place due to COVID-19.
Support at Deakin
- Safer Community is Deakin’s central point of contact for reports and disclosures of family violence and sexual harm. If you feel unsafe in your home, our trained professionals can support you, including to assist you with a safety plan if appropriate or to provide advice. Safer Community is not an emergency or crisis response service and we only operate during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm).
- If you’d like to talk to a counsellor, contact Deakin’s Counselling and Psychological Support (CAPS) service.
Community-based support
- Safe Steps (1800 015 188) provides family violence support over the phone or via email 24 hours a day. They can also connect you with someone who speaks in your preferred language.
- The Orange Door (1800 312 820) is a family violence organisation that connects victims, children or people who need help to change their behaviour to relevant local services.
- inTouch (1800 755 988) provides support services to women from multicultural backgrounds, including migrant and refugee women living in Victoria, who are experiencing or have experienced family violence.
- Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) provides help and support for people concerned about their own behaviour.
- 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) provides information, counselling and support for people affected by family violence and sexual harm.
- Language barriers or other factors may make it even harder for you to report family violence. To help you or someone you know understand what to do, Victoria Police has produced a video in 26 languages.