There has been an increasing focus on domestic violence and family violence in the mainstream media and social media over the last week. Domestic violence refers to the violent behaviour between a current or former intimate partner. Family violence is a broader term that refers to violence between family members, which could include a current or former intimate partner or between a parent and child, siblings, or even other family members (e.g., extended family).
Family and domestic violence can include, but is not limited to physical violence, sexual assault, emotional or psychological abuse, verbal abuse, and economic or financial abuse. Coercive control has also been referred to in the media. This includes patterns of abusive and manipulative behaviours used by one person to dominate another person. The process often happens slowly over time and can be difficult to identify. It can include a range of abusive behaviours such as surveillance, controlling access to finances, monitoring movements, and isolating from family and friends.
The media content is no doubt very distressing for many people, as family and domestic affects many individuals, families, and communities across Australia. We know that many people who experience forms of abuse and violence are women with gender inequality still considered to be a key driver (Our Watch, 2022). The impact on mental health is far-reaching as the social, physical, and emotional effects can be long-lasting.
Women impacted by family and domestic violence are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Children can also be affected and experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Wayahead believes we need increased attention to the mental health needs of women and children exposed to family and domestic violence. Health systems and services need to be attuned to the negative mental health impacts on women and children.
Due to the increased media attention and focus over the last week, women and children might be reminded of their experiences, reliving this through flashbacks, nightmares, and memories of the past. It is important to be aware signs and symptoms of anxiety.
It is important to monitor for signs of anxiety in children as children may not be able to express what they are feeling. Parents can monitor for physical symptoms of anxiety and talk to their children about what they are feeling in their bodies. Children may display different symptoms. This could include sleep disturbance, nightmares, headaches, and hair pulling. Anxiety can also result in nail biting. Parents can check for red chapped lips and their child’s mouth area as some children’s cheek bite. Anxiety can also result in a dry mouth, constant coughing, and difficulty swallowing. Children may have trouble breathing, chest pain, and heart palpitations. In the stomach area nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and cramping are signs.
There are professional services available for support during this difficult time.
Where to get help and support
In an emergency, call 000 for Police and Ambulance help.
- NSW: Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463
You can also contact:
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service. 1800 RESPECT also has a Service Directory you can use to find services in your local area.
- Services Australia’s (Centrelink) Crisis Payment may help you financially if you’re experiencing domestic violence call 132 850.
- Call Lifeline (13 11 14) for support if you are suffering a personal crisis, you are thinking of suicide or someone close to you is thinking of suicide.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander people can contact:
- 13 Yarn (13 92 76) is a national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Children can contact:
- Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) is a confidential counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25 – via telephone, email and online chat.
Men can contact:
- The Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) is a family violence telephone counselling, information and referral service, for men wanting to take responsibility for their violent behaviour.
- MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78) provides support to men having relationship problems and men who commit, or experience, domestic violence.
People with a disability can contact:
- The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1800 880 052) is a confidential service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability.
Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds
- Who are experiencing family or domestic violence can contact inTouch, the Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence on 1800 755 988 or visit intouch.org.au