What is family violence?
Family violence is when someone uses abusive behaviour to control and/or harm a member of their family, or someone with whom they have an intimate relationship.
Family violence includes many different forms of physical and emotional abuse, as well as neglect carried out by family members or intimate partners. It may include a single act of violence, or a number of acts that form a pattern of abuse. Family violence can have serious-and sometimes fatal-consequences for victims and for those who see or hear the violence.
Although the Criminal Code does not refer to specific "family violence offences", many Criminal Code offences could be used to charge someone with acts of family violence. For more information on the criminal laws that could be applied, please see family violence Laws.
Forms and types of violence
There are many forms of violence, including physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse.
The different forms of abuse can also occur in a range of relationships and contexts. Some examples of various types of family violence are intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, violence based on so-called "honour" and forced marriage.
Forms of violence
Family violence is not just physical violence. A person can be the victim of one or more forms of violence or abuse including:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Financial abuse
Neglect