Domestic and Family Violence is when someone you are in a relationship with or a family member behaves in ways that make you feel fearful or unsafe.
If you are currently in a harmful relationship, it is strongly recommended that you seek assistance in obtaining a Domestic Violence Protection Order for the safety of both you and your children.
Shelter referrals and support is available at The Women’s Centre
For women living with domestic violence, it is recommended that you have a safety plan to help in the event of an emergency.
Our Specialist Homelessness Service provides support for women through intensive casework, and operates on an as needs basis following an initial assessment. Referrals can be made to our counsellors and into our therapy groups as necessary with ongoing appointments provided for emotional support and healing.
Domestic Violence is when someone you are in a relationship with someone who behaves in ways that make you feel fearful or unsafe. Domestic relationships are spousal, intimate or dating.
Family violence is a broader term, often used to include child abuse, elder abuse, and other violent acts between family members.
Domestic and family violence includes:
Tactics may be used by your partner to maintain power and control in a relationship.
Examples are:
Domestic and family violence can happen to any woman.
She may be of any age, status, religion, ethnicity or culture.
The physical and emotional safety of you and your children must come first.
Making the decision to leave or stay in a violent relationship is very difficult. There is support available to help you, either way.
People who experience this type of abuse or violence can feel very confused or ashamed. It is hard to accept that someone you love and have trusted can behave aggressively towards you. If you are unable to explain the other person’s behaviour, you may begin to think that you are to blame.
You are not to blame! It is not your fault!
You do not have to live with domestic violence. Everyone has a right to feel safe.
Domestic violence can affect you in all sorts of ways, which may include
If you are currently in a harmful relationship, it is strongly recommended that you seek assistance in obtaining a Domestic Violence Protection Order for the safety of both you and your children. A Domestic Violence Protection Order is a civil court order designed to protect you from further violence.
Children, relatives or associates may also be protected in this order.
For more information and help with obtaining a Domestic Violence Protection Order in North Queensland, please contact the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service.
(07) 47 212 888
For women living with domestic violence, it is recommended that you have a safety plan to help in the event of an emergency.
Suggestions include
If you have time to plan your departure, you may also want to consider the following
Where possible, take all personal and household possessions. If you are unable to do so, police attendance may be arranged for appropriate protection, either at the time of leaving or at a later date if you wish to collect other belongings.
After leaving a violent partner:
Healing from domestic and family violence, and other forms of abuse, can be hard but is possible!
It may be helpful to seek support from a counsellor who works in this area, as well as from a trusted friend or family member. Be aware that feelings of shame, confusion and worthlessness may prevent you from accessing support, but remember you have a right to be safe and to recover, and you are not to blame for the abuse and violence. Everyone has a right to feel safe and to be free from violence in their lives, including their home, their school, their workplace and in public spaces.
Living with domestic violence can affect you in many ways including a loss of confidence, a loss of belief in and connection with yourself, and you may feel really alone and different from others, adding to your isolation. You may also feel like it’s really hard to trust people or doubt whether people will believe you when you speak about your experiences. These are just a few of the ways in which domestic violence can undermine your strength and self-worth so it’s really important to recognise that these are direct impacts of the violence and not parts of you that are wrong or lacking.
We encourage you to stand against these impacts, and take some steps towards healing. Come in to The Women’s Centre where you will be treated with respect, supported as you explore your needs to heal and reclaim yourself from the personal devastation of domestic violence.
You have demonstrated courage so many times while surviving the violence; now allow courage to support you as you heal.
Focus on things that you enjoy or feel good at, to build your confidence
Children are affected by domestic violence even if they have not seen the abuse or violence.
You can help a child who has experienced domestic violence in the following ways:
We acknowledge the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people on whose land and sea we live and work, and acknowledge all First Nations people and cultures; we honour their Elders past, present and emerging. We particularly recognise the unique experiences of colonisation for First Nations Women and the contribution their voices continue to make within our organisation and the community in working towards reconciliation.
Please be aware that this website may contain the names, images and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may now be deceased.
