Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
Family violence (also called domestic violence) is the use of violence, threats, force or intimidation to control or manipulate a family member, partner, former partner or other person the perpetrator has a relationship with. Acts of family violence not only include assault and physical injury, but also sexual assault, threats (direct and indirect), controlling access to money, damaging property, social isolation, emotional and psychological torment and any behaviour which causes a person to live in fear. A person’s age, gender, sexual identity, cultural background, ability, religion, wealth, status or even location doesn’t matter – anyone can be affected by family violence. Family violence directly affects one in five Victorian women over the course of their lifetime. It is the leading contributor to preventable death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44 years.

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Reviewed on: 23-02-2022