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Understanding Domestic Violence
When people think of domestic and family violence, they often think of how much it hurts the adult victim. It’s true that domestic and family violence is most often violent, abusive or intimidating behaviour by a man towards a woman. But what you may not realise is that children also experience domestic violence and this affects their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.
Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health, welfare and social issue that can have lifelong impacts for victims and people who use violence (perpetrators).
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Personal Safety Survey, 2.2 million Australians have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner and 3.6 million Australians have experienced emotional abuse from a partner. About 2.2 million Australians have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
Of those women who experience domestic and family violence, more than 50% have children in their care. Domestic and family violence was the most commonly reported issue) for children at risk of significant harm. Domestic and family violence is also the leading cause of homelessness for children in Australia.
The impact of domestic and family violence on children is immense and can often affect them for the rest of their lives. Children and young people don't have to see the violence to be affected by it.
Studies show that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children and young people in the following ways:
- ongoing anxiety and depression
- emotional distress
- eating and sleeping disturbances
- physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches
- find it hard to manage stress
- low self-esteem
- self-harm
- be aggressive towards friends and school mates
- feel guilt or blame themselves for the violence
- have trouble forming positive relationships
- develop phobias and insomnia
- struggle with going to school and doing school work
- use bullying behaviour or become a target of bullying
- difficulty concentrating
- find it hard to solve problems
- have less empathy and caring for others
- Young people exposed to domestic and family violence are more likely to:
- suffer from depression
- be homeless
- abuse drugs and alcohol
- engage in risk-taking behaviours
- experience or use violence and be controlling and manipulative in relationships
Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
1800 271 170
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays)
- 311 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong 3175
- 18 Golden Green Street, Pakenham 3810
You should contact The Orange Door if:
- someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer or parent(s)
- you are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be OK
- you are worried about the safety of a friend or family member
- you need more support with the care of children, e.g. due to money issues, illness, addiction, grief, isolation or conflict
- you are worried about the safety of a child or young person
- you need help to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Individuals can also access local support services and search the internet using Daisy, a free app developed by 1800RESPECT that protects user privacy.
Go to 1800respect.org.au for resources and a chat line.
Casey Grammar is a ChildSafe School
- Schools are well placed to identify family violence risk, respond to disclosures, and support affected students and families.
- Mandatory reporting requirements, duty of care and the Child Safe Standards are followed.
- There are a range of supports available to students, families and school staff affected by family violence.
- Sharing and requesting information relating to family violence, where lawful and appropriate, is an important element of the school’s duty of care and support for students.
- All teachers have a duty to respond to reports of domestic violence and the school has specific ChildSafe Officers.
