Family Violence and Awareness

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3Violence The use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy 4Family Violence Family violence, also known as domestic violence, is when someone uses abusive behavior to control and/or harm a member of their family, or someone with whom they have an intimate relationship.

5 Family violence sees no gender, age, social status, education, culture, and religion.

But it is more likely for women to experience family violence than men.

Children are heavily affected by family violence, whether they experience it themselves or they witness it.

“Overcoming abuse doesn’t just happen, It takes positive steps every day. Let today be the day you start to move forward.” ― Assunta Harris

occurs... in marriages same-sex or opposite-sex relationships during, or even after the relationship has ended Violence in intimate relationships vary.

One example is when one partner exhibits their power and control over the other through different forms of abuse.

This type of abuse mostly escalates terribly. Frequently leading to severe physical violence causing health problems and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There are also cases where both people involved in the relationship abuse each other. When problems or difficult situations arise, they prefer to settle those through violence instead of talking about it peacefully.

Sophie has a deformity that leads her to be legally blind in one eye. Because of this, her dad rejected her, threatened them, disciplined her daily, and made fun of her. She was three.

“The enemy doesn’t stand a chance when the victim decides to survive.” — Rae Smith

1In the next slides, we'll talk about the effects of family violence on... The Victim The Family The Community The Children

Untreated physical injuries and health problems.

Alcohol and drug abuse to help ease the pain.

Homeless. A third of people who are homeless in New South Wales went through family violence.

Victims go through emotional and psychological trauma, including but not limited to depression, shame, anger, and suicide.

Death, illness, injury, and disability.

In more than 50% of family violence, there are children affected.

Children and young people living with violence can cause them physical and emotional harm such as:

eating and sleeping disturbances physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches develop phobias and insomnia

low self-esteem self-harm feel guilt or blame themselves for the violence

struggle with going to school and doing school work difficulty concentrating find it hard to solve problems

use bullying behavior or become a target of bullying be aggressive towards friends and school mates have trouble forming positive relationships have less empathy and caring for others

ongoing anxiety and depression emotional distress find it hard to manage stress

2Family violence is about power and control. Family violence is never OK. No matter what the background, experiences, circumstances, feelings of the abuser is, violence is never justified. Victims who stay in violent relationships are never to be blamed.

“You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.” ― John Mark Green

1"I didn't know it was abuse until I nearly died" - Abi Blake

"Your self-worth and your self-esteem are so low that you believe everything that they say..."

Abusive Behavior is a Choice Abuse is not because the abuser lost control. Abuse is a choice to gain control.

Afraid and anxious to please their abuser

Obeys whatever the abuser tells them

Reports and checks in with their abuser may receive constant phone calls

Shares about their partner's possessiveness, temper, and jealousy

“The more that we choose not to talk about domestic violence, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we lose.” ― Russell Wilson

1Family Violence Checklist Has your partner or family member ever threatened to harm or kill you? Does your partner constantly put you down, criticise your looks or call you names? Do you feel forced or pressured into having sex, even when you don’t want to? Has your partner made you do something humiliating or degrading? Does your partner control the household finances or your money (such as take money away from you or control how you spend it)? When you talk to members of the opposite sex, does your partner act jealously or suspicious for no reason, or accuse you of flirting with the other person? Does your partner try to control your contact with your family and friends (such as monitor or limit your phone calls, conversations and emails) or stop you from seeing them? Does your partner constantly need or demand to know where you are (for example, does your partner check your car odometer to try to work out where you’ve been)? Does your partner treat you like a possession? Has your partner used force or coercion to make you do things against your will? If your partner has been aggressive, did they say their anger and violence was your fault? Has your partner denied using violence or said it wasn’t that bad or you were asking for it? Is it difficult to disagree with your partner or to say ‘no’ to them? Has your partner stalked, or constantly harassed you? If you have children, has your partner threatened to take the children away from you? Has your partner threatened to hurt your children, family, friends or pets? Does your partner question your children about where you’ve been and who with? Has your partner encouraged your children to insult you or tell you inappropriate things? Do your children hear or see things that might be damaging to them? Does your partner threaten to kill him or herself? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may be experiencing family violence and need help. Even if it has only happened once.

Abusive partners may promise that they will change and stop the violence to stop you from leaving them. It may be genuine for a moment, but commonly, they return to their abusive and violent behavior after some time. Counseling may or may not help, what matters is who they are at the present rather than who you're hoping they will become.

Helping them change is possible but not easy. Taking responsibility for their actions is one good sign that they are changing for the better. This entails that they stopped blaming their childhood, work, stress, or any other thing for their actions.

It is scary to leave your abusive partner, but remember that you can ask for help, and it is never your fault.

2When supporting someone... Listen to them and their ways at home. Never judge their situation and decisions. "Just leaving" is not easy and is not always safe.

How to stay safe in a violent relationship

Express your concern to the person for them to know that you care and they can trust you. This action might even save their life.

When talking to the person, make sure that you are in a safe place and ensure privacy. Mention the signs that caused you to worry, and reassure them that you are there for them whenever they are ready and are willing to help in any way you can.

Keep in mind that the victims may be under their abuser's control and manipulation. Getting help may seem almost impossible because of isolation from family and friends. .

Recognizing the warning signs and lending a helping hand can help someone escape family violence and help them begin their healing.

Their hands are waiting for you to extend yours.

“Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave even if you stumble a little on your way out the door.” ― Unknown