domestic violence

Australia's #1 for Law
Join 150,000 Australians every month. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today!
FREE - Join Now
Domestic violence (also named domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner, and can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, or between former spouses or partners. In its broadest sense, domestic violence also involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly. It takes a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital r**e and to violent physical abuse such as choking, beating, female genital mutilation, and acid throwing that results in disfigurement or death. Domestic murders include stoning, bride burning, honor killings, and dowry deaths (which sometimes involve non-cohabitating family members).
Globally, the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women, and women tend to experience more severe forms of violence. They are also likelier than men to use intimate partner violence in self-defense. In some countries, domestic violence is often seen as justified, particularly in cases of actual or suspected infidelity on the part of the woman, and is legally permitted. Research has established that there exists a direct and significant correlation between a country's level of gender equality and rates of domestic violence, where countries with less gender equality experience higher rates of domestic violence. Domestic violence is among the most underreported crimes worldwide for both men and women. Due to social stigmas regarding male victimization, men who are victims of domestic violence face an increased likelihood of being overlooked by healthcare providers.Domestic violence often occurs when the abuser believes that abuse is an entitlement, acceptable, justified, or unlikely to be reported. It may produce an intergenerational cycle of abuse in children and other family members, who may feel that such violence is acceptable or condoned. Many people do not recognize themselves as abusers or victims because they may consider their experiences as family conflicts that got out of control. Awareness, perception, definition and documentation of domestic violence differs widely from country to country. Domestic violence often happens in the context of forced or child marriage.In abusive relationships, there may be a cycle of abuse during which tensions rise and an act of violence is committed, followed by a period of reconciliation and calm. Victims of domestic violence may be trapped in domestic violent situations through isolation, power and control, traumatic bonding to the abuser, cultural acceptance, lack of financial resources, fear, shame, or to protect children. As a result of abuse, victims may experience physical disabilities, dysregulated aggression, chronic health problems, mental illness, limited finances, and a poor ability to create healthy relationships. Victims may experience severe psychological disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Children who live in a household with violence often show psychological problems from an early age, such as avoidance, hypervigilance to threats, and dysregulated aggression which may contribute to vicarious traumatization.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. K

    VIC DV charge on me for defending myself after being stabbed.

    Full Disclosure - Asking for a friend currently on remand for this incident. Male/Female DV. Female aggressor who did the stabbing. Male friend locked up because he defended himself but against a female...with a knife. On again/off again relationship. Friend after being hounded for weeks...
  2. P

    WA Amending statement (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE);/

    Hi, I've been desperately searching everywhere for information on what my options are too withdraw my statement or amend/correct it. I've reached out to the prosecution but they are ignoring me. I've advised i need to amend the statement because at the time of the domestic i was in between...
  3. A

    Changes to Domestic Violence Laws in QLD.

    Morning everyone. Can some one please give me some advise. I know there have been some major changes to what is now classed as Domestic Violence, for example continual put downs, and making a person feel they are stupid for example. The situation is far more complex but that is just a...
  4. Z

    VIC Psychiatrist Assessment

    Hi all! Please advise what happens during a psychiatric assessment ordered by Independent childrens lawyer? Also if person has self harm issues but is denying this, is it possible for the assessment to detect this? Is it very intensive? Person has a domestic violence conviction. Also gets angry...
  5. A

    NSW Contacting PINOP family overseas..is it breach of AVO?

    Hi, An AVO is issued against me by police to protect my partner. the AVO says that I must not contact the PINOP family (everyone who’s got domestic relationships with PINOP). Though the PINOP family live and reside overseas and are not Australian citizen or permanent resident. I was wondering...
  6. Sass71

    QLD Is it to late for assault charges

    How long is it before it's too late to press assault charges within a domestic violence situation it's been 1yr and I have photos of the damage to my body bruises and the like it was not reported when I went to hospital as an assault out of fear to this day he is still driving pass my place...
  7. 2

    VIC IO taken out in Vic against QLD Respondent for alleged event in NSW

    Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has any advice. I'll try and keep it brief. This is for a friend, not me. :) Friends version can be substaniated with witnesses or evidence. Male friend (respondent) had casual relations with a female (applicant) from late 2018 in QLD. Applicant moved 2...
  8. M

    NSW Assault Charges Hearing with Ex Next Month - Help?

    Next month, on my bloody birthday, I have a hearing for the assault charges put on my son's father. He is currently in custody (bail refused) from the police station when arrested. He is currently pleading not guilty to all incidents because he thinks he's invincible, although I’ve been told he...
  9. S

    NSW Is it legal for my wife to hide out with my 2-yo kid without telling me?

    My wife and I are in cold war since 2 weeks ago. But while I was at work today, she suddently left home and hide out with my 2-yo kid without telling me. She also didn't answer my calls. Is it legal? What is my option as a dad to the kid?
  10. jaxemjay

    NSW Intensive Corrections Order

    The father of my children was sentenced to 14 months ICO with rehab for family violence. Is there a way I can find out any of his other conditions To the ICO or if has done the rehab ordered? (Reason I ask is he is taking me through family court for access to children and so far has no evidence...