| Domestic
Violence | You
Are Not To Blame | Leaving
& Safety |
In
Queensland, family violence is defined by the Domestic
Violence (Family Protection) Act 1989.
DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE
includes but is not restricted to:
- Physical
violence includes hitting, pushing, spitting, using weapons, being thrown
against walls etc
- Emotional
and Verbal abuse includes comments and behaviour that makes you feel
worthless like put downs, shouting and sulking
- Sexual
abuse includes rape and any forced or unwanted sexual contact
- Financial
abuse can include controlling and withholding money or not allowing
a say in how money is spent
- Social
abuse includes cutting you off from family and friends, making you account
constantly for everything you do, embarrassing you and keeping you from
from earning your own money
- Intimidation
using body size or movement, coercion and threats for example to injure
or kill self or family members, driving dangerously with family members
in the car
You
are not to blame for your partner's violence
You
have the right to be safe
You
have a right to a life free of violence
NEVER
think your partner's violence and abuse is your fault
It
may be helpful to look at the ways you've coped until now:
- You
may have been careful about what you say, when and how you say it
- You
have 'tiptoed' around their moods
- You
encourage the kids to be be quiet around them
- You
try to do all the right things eg. Cook dinners, keep the house tidy,
etc
- You
see less of your friends and family
- You
keep the peace wherever possible
- You
change your own behaviour according to what they want
- You
handle all family matters on your own to make it easier for them
- You
try to protect the kids from the effects of violence
- You
have tried to talk to your partner about their alcoholism, stress levels
or moods
How
Can I Leave Safely?
- Your
body senses danger long before your mind consciously works out why you
sense it.
- It
is vital that you trust and act on these instincts, especially if you
sense danger being in a certain place or with a certain person.
- You
may have had support from friends and family.
- Sometimes
friends and family may not understand the danger you and your children
are in.
- You
are the best judge of how safe you are.
- You
can talk to others about your plan to keep yourself and your children
safe.
These
Ideas may help:
- Obtain
a Protection Order
- Tell
friends or neighbours
- Believe
it isn't your fault
- See
that violence is a crime
- Feel
compassion for yourself and your children
- Accept
that abuse has caused you great pain
- Recognise
that you have already done a lot to try and change things
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If
you are in
immediate
danger
please contact
the POLICE on:
000
or
DV
Connect
on
freecall:
1800
811 811
____________________________________________
Centacare/
SCOPE:
(07)
5430 9300
Operating
Hours:
9am
- 5.00pm
Monday
to Friday
____________________________________________
- Have
little sense of self?
- Do
you put yourself last?
- Blame
yourself for others feelings, thoughts and actions?
- Are
you running on empty?
Women
who have been in unhealthy relationships say the pain of emotional abuse
cuts as much as phsyical abuse,
but
the wounds take much longer to heal.
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