Useful information

Family and domestic violence is any violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships. If a child witnesses abusive behaviour or is exposed to the impacts of this, they are a victim of family violence in their own right. 

In Victoria, abusive behaviour includes: 

• an assault 
• a sexual assault or other sexually abusive behaviour 

• stalking 
• repeated derogatory taunts 
• intentionally damaging or destroying property 
• intentionally causing death or injury to an animal 
• unreasonably denying the family member the financial autonomy that he or she would otherwise have had 

• unreasonably withholding financial support needed to meet the reasonable living expenses of the family member, or her child, at a time when the family member is entirely or predominantly dependent on the person for financial support 
• preventing the family member from making or keeping connections with her family, friends or culture 
• unlawfully depriving the family member, or any member of the family member’s family, or her liberty.