Make a donation

Resources

What is domestic and family violence?

Family and domestic violence is any behaviour that causes physical, emotional, or psychological harm to someone within a family or intimate relationship. It includes controlling behaviour, threats, and isolation.
Domestic and family violence isn’t just physical abuse. It can include:

  • Sexual abuse
  • Emotional and psychological abuse
  • Financial abuse, such as withholding money or not allowing you to work
  • Controlling what you can and cannot do
  • Tracking and surveillance of your car or devices
  • Isolating you from family and friends
  • Stopping you from leaving the house
  • Threatening you or your loved ones including children, pets or other family members
  • Destroying your personal belongings

For more information on what domestic and family violence looks like: What is domestic and family violence? | Need to know | Queensland Government

Family and domestic violence can affect anyone. It happens to people of all ages, genders and identities and people of all cultures. It’s never acceptable. Everyone deserves safety and respect.

If you’ve recognised any of these warning signs, remember:

Stay Safe: If you can’t leave and are in immediate danger, call the police at 000.
Seek support: If you are not in immediate danger, you can speak to the following:

  • 1800RESPECT the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service (Call 1800 737 732or text 0458 737 732)
  • DVConnect the Queensland-wide domestic and family violence helplines, Womensline and Mensline, supporting families to live lives free from violence and facilitating access to safety (Call 1800 811 811)
  • Speak to a trusted friend, colleague or relative

Stay Informed: Learn more about family violence and controlling behaviours. Understanding these dynamics can empower you to make informed decisions.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 to speak with emergency services. Emergency services are best equipped to respond to urgent situations and can provide immediate assistance.

What is immediate danger?

Physical Threats

  • Someone is threatening to harm or kill you.
  • Physical violence is happening or has just occurred.
  • You are being followed, stalked, or are trapped.

Escalating Violence

  • A known abuser has forced entry or is nearby.
  • Tensions are escalating and violence feels imminent.
  • Weapons or dangerous objects are being used or threatened.

Non-Lethal Strangulation

  • You have been strangled or choked.
  • This is an urgent medical emergency. Call 000 immediately.

Threats Against Children

  • A child is being harmed or threatened.
  • Someone is using children to manipulate, intimidate, or control you. Unsure if this is an emergency?

Witnessing Violence

  • You or someone else is witnessing violent behaviour that may escalate.
  • Violence is occurring, and immediate help is needed.

Coercion or Forced Confinement

  • You are being forced to stay in a location against your will.
  • Persistent threats or harassment make you feel unsafe to leave.

I need help leaving a domestic or family violence situation

  1. Call 000 if there is immediate danger.
  2. Use a safe phone to call DV Connect at 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support.
    DV Connect will speak to you about your circumstances to complete an assessment of your needs. They may assess that you are unsafe and in need of crisis accommodation or refer you onto another service who can help.
  3. If possible, try to move to a safe location, such as a room with an exit or a public place.
  4. Let someone you trust know about your situation if it’s safe to do so.
  5. Clear your browsing history to ensure your online safety.

Safety planning

Safety planning is something you can do to be safer when living with violence or abuse.

You can make a simple safety plan with help from a friend or family member, but you don’t have to do this alone. A support service such as 1800 RESPECT can help you make a detailed safety plan. You can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 – 24/7.

What to include in your plan

You may already have good ideas about what you can do when you feel unsafe. Start your safety plan by thinking about where and how you can get help if you need it.

You can write these ideas down and keep your plan where no one else will see it. You might choose to share it with a friend or support person.

The following suggestions are examples of what you can include in your safety plan.

Emergency contacts

  • Make a list of emergency phone numbers. This list could include the phone numbers for the police, a trusted family member, friend, neighbour or advocate.
  • Decide who to call if you feel threatened or in danger. You could ask one of these contacts to call the police on 000 if they hear violence or abuse in the background of your call.
  • Contact trusted family and friends and set up a code word you can say or text them if you need them to call 000 on your behalf.
  • Keep essential items with someone you can trust. If you have children, pack essential items for them also. This might include clothing, medications, documents such as birth certificates, keys, and money.
  • If possible, keep a spare phone with prepaid credit and your list of emergency phone numbers so you can contact people without being monitored. DFV support services may be able to help you with this.

Keeping your home secure

  • If you can, find ways to increase security at home, like outdoor lights, extra window or door locks, or gates.
  • If possible, park your car on the street instead of in the driveway so you can’t be blocked in and can easily leave.

Emergency accommodation if you need to leave in a hurry

  • Decide on a safe place to go if you need to leave in a hurry and practice travelling to that location. If you have children, have a safety plan for them, including a safe place they can go if you are unable to get away. This may include a room in the house the children can lock themselves in or going to a trusted neighbour’s house if they’re feeling unsafe.
  • If possible, save some money for a taxi, bus, or train for emergency transport to a safe place.
  • Keep extra keys to your house and car in a safe place.
  • Pack an escape bag in case you need to leave quickly. If you have children, pack a bag for them too.

Using technology safely

Looking after Pets

  • If you need to leave your home and are unable to bring your pet, consider leaving your pet with a friend or a neighbour you trust.
  • The RSPCA Queensland and DVConnect’s Pets in Crisis program provides temporary care of animals with trained volunteer foster carers. Each pet is provided with safe accommodation, food, and in most cases veterinary care.
  • DVConnect will work directly with RSPCA Queensland to find temporary care for their pets at either an RSPCA Animal Care Centre across the State or with trained RSPCA foster carers.
  • To access the Pets in Crisis program, call the DVConnect 24-hour crisis line.
Make a donation
Become a Member

Become A Member