Recognising Family Violence
Section outline
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Objective
To introduce the basic concepts of family violence and its various forms.
Key Topics
- What is family violence?
- Assessing risk of family violence (MARAM framework)
- Types of family violence
- Recognising the role of gender in family violence
- Reflective questions
- Assessment
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Definition of Family Violence
Family violence is a pattern of behaviour used by one person in a relationship to gain or maintain power and control over another. It can take many forms, affecting individuals in intimate partnerships, family relationships, and even in caregiving situations. Family violence often involves one person using tactics such as intimidation, coercion, manipulation, and violence to control their partner, children, or other family members.
In Australia, there is a National Plan for addressing family violence. This is called The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 (The National Plan).
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Physical Abuse
Physical abuse means hurting someone’s body.
Examples: hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, or using weapons.Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse means forcing someone to engage in sexual acts that they don’t want to do. This includes touching or forcing to have sex without consent (permission).
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse means making someone feel scared, sad, or not good enough.
Examples: insults, threats, or always blaming the person.Spiritual Abuse
Using religion or culture to control someone is spiritual abuse.
Examples: saying God wants them to stay in a harmful relationship, or stopping them from practicing their beliefs.Financial Abuse
Controlling someone’s money and finances is financial abuse.
Examples: taking their money, stopping them from working, or not letting them buy things they need.Verbal Abuse
Using words to hurt someone is verbal abuse.
Examples: name-calling, yelling, threats, or jokes that are cruel.Social Abuse
Social abuse means stopping someone from seeing friends, family, or their community.
Examples: not letting them go out or talk to others.Technology (or Digital) Abuse
Using phones, the internet or other types of technology to scare or control someone is technological abuse.
Examples: tracking where they go, sending mean messages, or sharing private photos.Stalking
Watching, following, or contacting someone again and again in a way that makes them feel scared or unsafe is called stalking.
Systems Abuse
Using legal, health, or government services to control or punish someone is systems abuse.
Examples: making false reports to child protection, or using the court to keep control.
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It is important to assess how much danger a person is in when they are experiencing family violence. This is called a risk assessment. It helps keep the person safe.
Some signs show a person is in serious danger. These include:
- Breaking up with their partner recently
- Being threatened with death
- Being strangled
- The abuser having weapons (like knives or guns)
These are signs that the person needs help quickly. Services can make a safety plan. This can include:
- Finding a safe place to live
- Getting legal help (like a court order to stay away)
- Support from trained workers
Sometimes, a person may not realise how serious their situation is. A risk assessment helps everyone understand how dangerous the situation may be.
Faith leaders (like monks, pastors, imams, or elders) are often the first people someone talks to. This is because of trust, privacy, and cultural reasons.
Faith leaders can help by:
- Knowing the signs of danger
- Helping the person get urgent help (like emergency housing or calling the police)
- Knowing when to speak to a professional
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What is MARAM?
MARAM stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management. It is a set of rules and ideas made by the Victorian Government to help services work together to keep people safe from family violence.
It helps people understand how to see the risks, help victim-survivors, and make good safety plans.
👉 Learn more: MARAM Website
👉 Watch: Helping End Family Violence video -
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The 10 MARAM Principles (Simplified Version)
- Family violence is always wrong, no matter who it happens to or where it happens.
- Workers from different services should work together to stop violence early and help people stay safe.
- Most family violence is caused by gender inequality, but it can also be made worse by racism, ableism, and other unfair systems.
- Victims must be treated with respect, and supported to make their own choices and be part of decisions about their safety.
- Children are also victims, even if they don’t get hurt physically. Seeing or hearing violence affects them deeply.
- Children need special care, because they have different needs and may be hurt in many ways over time.
- Aboriginal people need services that respect their culture and history, including past and present injustice.
- Services should be welcoming and fair to everyone, including older people and people from different cultures or backgrounds.
- People who use violence must take responsibility, and services must work together to stop their harmful behaviour.
- Young people who use violence need a different kind of help, because they may also be victims themselves.
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What is gender?
Gender means the roles, behaviours, and expectations that society gives to people based on if they are seen as male or female. For example, some cultures expect men to be strong and in control, and women to be quiet or obedient. These ideas are not always fair.
Why gender matters in family violence
Family violence often happens because one person wants power and control over another. Many times, this power is linked to gender.
- Most victims of family violence are women and the abuser is a male partner.
- Some people believe men should control their family. This belief can lead to abuse.
- People with different gender identities (like transgender or non-binary people) can also be hurt, especially because of discrimination.
Different experiences based on gender
- Women and children are more likely to face physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
- Men may be hurt too, but they often feel pressure to stay quiet because of ideas like “men should be strong.”
- LGBTQIA+ people might not ask for help because they are afraid of being judged.
Culture and gender
In some cultures, women are expected to stay with their partner, even if he is abusive. These beliefs make it hard for women to leave or get help.
How gender affects survivors
- Women may stay in violence because they have no money, no safe place to go, or worry about their children.
- Men may feel ashamed to ask for help.
- LGBTQIA+ people may not know where to find safe, respectful support.
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- How do gender roles in your culture affect family violence?
- What problems do different people face when asking for help?
- How can you help promote gender equality to stop family violence?
Let's change the story
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Every question you answer deepens your knowledge, contributing to a safer, more empathetic community. Take these questions to empower yourself and potentially help others. Your understanding matters.