Domestic Violence – ThriveCru

Domestic and Family Violence

Advocacy and Awareness

ThriveCru is committed to advocacy and education in the prevention of Domestic and Family violence.

Domestic violence is defined as forceful, abusive, or threatening behaviour in a close relationship. There are several types of domestic violence which can include physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual, social or financial abuse.

If you are currently dealing with domestic violence, we will assist you in contacting a number of local organisations that can offer you help and support.

After these organisations act as the first line of response to your current situation, we are there to commit to a 12 week period to help you get back on your feet.

If you are in immediate danger – please call 000

Domestic Violence helpline 1800 65 64 63

Child Protection Helpline on132 111

Domestic violence explained

Domestic Violence occurs when someone in a close relationship with you has power and control over you. This doesn’t have to take place within your home. It is any violence that happens within a relationship with a family member or an intimate partner. This control or abuse can be take many forms:

Social Abuse

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Social domestic violence happens when someone insults or humiliates you in front of others. Keeping you isolated from family and friends and controlling what you do and where you go are all forms of social abuse.

Emotional Abuse

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Emotional abuse is often hard to recognise or prove. It can however be extremely destructive and painful. The aim of this kind of abuse is to manipulate you by breaking your self-worth and independence. In some cases they will aim to make you doubt your own reality.

Physical Abuse

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Physical abuse happens if you are in a relationship where you are being physically threatened or hurt. This is never okay, and you do not need to feel that it is something that you need to deal with on your own. Reach out for support immediately.

Sexual Abuse

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“Sexual assault" includes rape, indecent assault, and a wide range of other unwanted sexual behaviors that perpetrators use as a means of controlling their victims.

Financial Abuse

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Financial abuse happens when someone close to you controls your money and access to your finances. They keep you financially dependent, making you ask them for money. This is also form of domestic violence.

Spiritual Abuse

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Spiritual Abuse is a form of domestic violence that aims to take away your freedom of having your own opinions about cultural beliefs, religion and values. It can also cause you to doubt your thoughts on spirituality. It can make you feel powerless. Causing you to feel shame is part of spiritual abuse.

Keep Safe

The abuser most likely would start by talking down the severity of how badly they are treating you. Keeping this in mind, you may not realise the danger you are in. When you suspect that you are going through domestic violence, reach out immediately for support.

Warning signs

It is not always straight forward to recognise that you are in an abusive relationship. In most cases, abusers are masters of manipulation and lies. They may even make you believe that the abuse is your own fault and that you ‘deserve’ to be abused. It is important to know – You are never to blame for being the victim of abuse!

Warning signs of an abusive relationships to look out for includes:

Jealousy

you are accused of being unfaithful or of flirting. you are isolated from seeing your friends and family.

Possessiveness

you are accused of being unfaithful or not spending enough time with them. They don’t like to compete for your attention. You could be harmed due to their obsession or fear of losing you.

Insults

You are put you down and humiliated, either publicly or privately, by attacking your: appearance, intelligence, opinions, mental health or capabilities.

Threats

Threats of violence can be made against you, your family, friends or a pet.

Physical and sexual Violence

You , your family members or your pets can be hurt. You can be forced into sex or things against your will.

Get Help

Deciding to leave an abusive relationship can be frightening. Reach out to someone that you trust to help you like a friend, your doctor or a counsellor.

For financial support, Centrelink in some cases may be able to offer crisis payments.

You may also seek temporary accommodation from a local shelter. Here you can also find a lot more information and support including legal advice, emotional support, practical help and good security. They will help you with a longer-term plan.

Reaching out to family member or friend that you can trust will also help you to be supported while working out what to do next.

It is essential to contact the Police or hospital’s emergency department if you have been physically hurt or sexually assaulted. They can put you in contact with counselling from a sexual assault counsellor to support you. The police can provide you with protection if you are unsafe.

Please refer to the following link for further information:

https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/community/safety-and-wellbeing/domestic-and-family-violence

Know your rights

https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/family-law/domestic-violence-unit

You are valuable… But you are not alone!

It is never okay for anyone to hurt you! Keeping feelings of self-worth while being the victim of abuse is extremely hard. If someone is hurting you, reach out immediately. Connect with friends or family that will love you and take care of you. You need to know that you are loved and that you are special.

References:
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/family-law/domestic-violence-unit
https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/community/safety-and-wellbeing/domestic-and-family-violence