Family and domestic violence (FDV)

Family and domestic violence (FDV) is an ongoing pattern of behaviour used to coerce, control, or create fear for another person within a family or intimate relationship. It does not have to be physical, to be FDV.

Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone, and it is never the victim-survivor’s fault. It can occur in:

past or current intimate relationships, regardless of gender or sexuality
relationships involving carers of people with medical needs, disabilities, or the elderly
relationships with relatives, carers or guardians.

Forms of family and domestic violence

FDV comes in many forms including:

Emotional or psychological abuse

This type of abuse can be verbal or nonverbal and is often less visible than physical abuse. It may involve:

playing mind games or manipulation
insults or threats
yelling or screaming
making someone feel embarrassed or worthless
gaslighting (causing someone to doubt their own memories or feelings)
love bombing (using excessive affection to control someone).

Physical violence

This involves the use of physical force that causes harm or the risk of harm. It can include:

hitting, pushing, or slapping
choking or restricting breathing (non-fatal strangulation (external site))
kicking or punching
threats or harm to pets or property
use of weapons.

Sexual abuse and violence

This refers to any sexual activity without consent. It includes:

forcing or pressuring someone into sexual acts
sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images without permission
using guilt or lies to obtain sex
tricking someone into having sex/sexual acts or behaviours
expecting sex as a way to “make up” after conflict
demanding when sex should happen and how often.

Social isolation

This involves preventing someone from maintaining family and social connections. It can include:

controlling who someone sees or talks to
monitoring phone or internet use
jealous or aggressive behaviour
excessive questioning about someone whereabouts, what they are doing and who they speak to
spreading false information to damage relationships.

Financial abuse

This form of abuse limits or controls access to money. Examples include:

taking control of finances or making decisions without consent
denying someone access to their own money
forcing someone to live with inadequate resources
incurring debt in another person’s name
making significant financial decisions without consulting you.
stealing money.

Technology-facilitated abuse

This involves using technology to control, stalk, or harm. It may include:

tracking someone’s location or online activity
sending abusive messages or making harassing calls
impersonating someone online
threatening to share private images.

Religious or spiritual abuse

Is keeping someone away from places of worship or forcing them to participate in spiritual or religious practice that they do not want to be involved with. It may also include:

ridiculing someone’s beliefs
preventing someone from practicing their beliefs
using religion to justify abusive behaviour.

Forms of family and domestic violence that may occur in culturally and linguistically diverse cultures

Honour-based violence

Sometimes, people may face violence because their actions are seen as bringing shame or dishonour to their family or community. This is called honour-based violence, and it can be carried out by family members or others in the community.

Examples of ‘dishonour’ could include:

falling in love with someone the family does not approve of
refusing a forced marriage
identifying as LGBTQIA+
becoming pregnant outside of marriage
dressing in a way that is seen as too Western.

Violence can be sexual, physical and/or emotional and can lead to injury or death.

This violence is never justified. Everyone has the right to live safely and make their own choices.

Forced marriage

A forced marriage happens when one or both people do not freely agree to the marriage. It often involves pressure, threats, coercion or lies.

Key facts:

Anyone can be affected — regardless of age, gender, or background — but young women and girls are most often impacted.
Many cases involve someone being taken overseas to be married.
Most people affected are Australian citizens.
Forced marriage is illegal in Australia under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.
All marriages involving a child under 16 are illegal, even if the child says yes.

Being found guilty of forcing someone into marriage can lead to:

up to 7 years in prison for forcing an adult
up to 9 years in prison for forcing a child
up to 25 years in prison if a child is taken overseas — this is considered child trafficking

Everyone has the right to choose if, when, and who they marry. Resources for further information:

Support is available at KEMH

FDV can happen to anyone, and pregnancy is considered a high-risk time for women.

There is a dedicated and skilled team of social workers at KEMH who are available to support women who are experiencing FDV during pregnancy. Social work services are also available to mothers experiencing FDV who have a sick or premature baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

If you are experiencing FDV or would like to access any of the social work department services, you can let any member of your KEMH healthcare team know that you would like to speak confidentially to a social worker.

The KEMH social work department is located on the Lower Ground Floor in B Block and is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Walk in appointments are available.

Other support services

There are several support services and emergency contacts for those experiencing FDV. This includes emergency assistance, counselling, legal support, and accommodation services.

In an emergency call 000.

If it’s not an emergency and you need support, you can call support helplines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use a friend’s phone if you think yours is being monitored.

24-hour helplines

1800RESPECT (external site)
Tel: 1800 737 732
A national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service.
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (external site)
Tel: 1800 007 339
Provides support for all Western Australians including women, with or without children, who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia (including referrals to women’s refuges).
*This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker.
Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline (external site)
Tel: 1800 000 599
Provides information and referrals for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours, and for male victims of family and domestic violence in Western Australia.
*This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker.
Crisis care
Tel: (08) 9223 1111 or Country 1800 199 008

Personal safety apps

Daisy (external site)
Daisy is 1800RESPECT’s app to connect people experiencing violence or abuse to services in their local area.
Sunny (external site)
Sunny is 1800RESPECT’s app for women with disability who have experienced violence and abuse. Sunny has been co-designed with women with disability.

Support for Domestic Violence Survivors website (external site) provide information on staying safe, making a safety plan and what to do if you decide to leave an unsafe situation.

For a more extensive list of support services visit Family and domestic violence helplines and support services website (external site)