Domestic Violence and Abusive Relationships

Links to articles online regarding domestic violence and abusive relationships

Domestic Violence Services for Women - Better Health Channel

"Every woman and child has the right to be safe. Violence is a crime. Evidence indicates that women are much more likely to be victims of domestic violence, which has enormous impacts on the physical and mental health of women and children."

An Abusive Relationship - Reach Out!

Key Signs of an Abusive Relationship - from Reach Out!

"While everyone's experience of an unhealthy or abusive relationship will be different, there are some common patterns of controlling behaviour and abuse, which can happen before the relationship becomes physically violent. These include:

Possessiveness
• Checking on you all the time to see where you are, what you're doing and who you're with.
• Trying to control where you can go and who they can see.

Jealousy
• Accusing you without good reason of being unfaithful or flirting.
• Isolating you from family and friends, often by rude behaviour.

Put Downs
• Putting you down, either publicly or privately by attacking how smart you are, your looks or capabilities.
• Constantly comparing you unfavourably with others.
• Blaming you for all the problems in the relationship.

Menace & Threats
• Yelling, sulking and deliberately breaking things that you value.
• Threatening to use violence against you, your family, friends or even a pet.
• Saying no one else will want you."

Resources for help with domestic violence and abusive relationships

NATIONAL SERVICES

Police or Ambulance or Fire - 000 (Australia only)

Violence Against Women, Australian Says No (Specialises in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault counseling and referrals) - 1800 200 526

Mensline Australia - 1300 78 99 78

NEW SOUTH WALES

Domestic Violence Line (24hr telephone support)
Ph: 1800 656 463 OR 1800 671 442 (TTY)

Rape Crisis Centre - (02) 9819-6565 OR 1800-424-017 (Country Toll Free)

Immigrant Women's Speakout (Association For migrant & refugee women who are victims of violence, counselling, bilingual workers)
Ph: (02) 9635-8022 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Victims of Crime Support Line (Twenty Four (24) hour telephone information, support and referral for victims of crime)
Ph: (02) 9374 3000 (metro) OR 1800 633 063 (toll free) OR (02) 9374 3175 (TTY)

VICTORIA

Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (Telephone counselling, information and referral to local services)
Address: 139 Sydney Rd Brunswick
Ph. (03) 9486 9866 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm OR TTY (03) 9417 2155
Email: dvirc@dvirc.org.au

WIRE - Women's Information and Referral Exchange (Information, support and referral for women)
Ph: 9654-6844 (Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm) OR 1800 136 570 (country callers)

Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24 hr Crisis support, information, referral to safe accommodation (refuge) for women experiencing abuse in their relationships)
Ph: 03 9373-0123 OR 1800 015 188 (toll free for country users)

Centre Against Sexual Assault Crisis (support, counselling, information for people who have been sexually assaulted)
Ph: 03 9344 2000 (daytime) OR 03 9349-1766 (After Hours Telephone Service) OR 1800 806 292 (Country)

Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service (For immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence)
Ph: 03 9898-3145 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (24hr telephone counselling, referral)
Ph: (02) 6280 0900 OR (02) 6228 1852 (TTY)

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (24 hr) - 6247-2525

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Darwin
Ph: (08) 8945-6200 (9-5 Mon-Fri)

Crisis Line (General crisis counseling - 24hr service) - 1800 019 116

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Counselling (support, information, & 24hr crisis care for recent sexual assault)
Darwin - (08) 8922-7156
Alice Springs - (08) 8951-5880

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane Rape & Incest Crisis Centre - (07) 3391 0004

Immigrant Women's Support Service (Support for immigrant or refugee women victims of domestic violence, bilingual workers - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Domestic Violence (07) 3846-3490
Sexual Assault (07) 3846 5400

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Domestic Violence Outreach Service (Telephone and face to face counselling, referral to safe accommodation - 24 hour service 7 days a week) - 1300 782 200

Crisis Care (After hours crisis support for violence and abuse, suicide, child protection etc, 4pm-9am plus weekends & public.hols) - 08 8124 4424

Women's Information Service of South Australia - (08) 8303-0590 OR 1800 188 158 OR 0401 989 860 (SMS)

TASMANIA

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, weekends 4pm-midnight) - (03) 6233 2529 OR 1800 633 937 OR 1800 608 122 (Statewide)

Sexual Assault Support Services (Telephone and face to face counseling) - 03 6231 1811

WESTERN AUSTRLALIA

Women's Refuge Group Telephone (support, referral to safe accommodation, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) - (08) 9420 7264

Crisis Care Unit (24hr crisis support for violence, child protection, suicide, etc) - (08) 9325-1111 or 1800 199-008 or (08) 9325-1232 (TTY)

Sexual Assault & Referral Centre (24 hr Telephone and face to face counselling, female doctors) - (08) 93401828 or 9340 18 20 or 1800 199-888 (Country callers)

Women's Refuge & Multicultural Service (Outreach support for immigrant women who are victims/ survivors of domestic violence) - (08) 9325-7716

For consultations to receive help in dealing with domestic violence or abusive relationships: