Domestic Violence refers to violence; abuse and intimidation between people who are currently or have previously been in an intimate relationship.  Violence is used to control and dominate another person

Family Violence

In some communities across Australia the term “Family Violence” is used in place of Domestic Violence.  Family Violence refers to violence between family members as well as intimate partners. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, the term ‘family violence’ better reflects their understanding and experience of violence.

Violence against anyone can cause fear, physical harm and/or psychological harm.

Domestic Violence and/or Family Violence can include

  • Physical Violence
    The use of or threats of physical violence or the damaging of personal property / housing

  • Emotional Violence
    Using insults, put downs and humiliation. It can also mean attacking a persons confidence, embarrassing them in public and more

  • Social Abuse
    Isolation  from  friends and family, smothering, constantly being monitored and controlled over what they do and who they speak to.

  • Sexual Abuse
    Forcing someone to do anything sexual against their will, and could include physically attacking the sexual parts of the body, demanding sex, rape, bondage, using objects, treating them as a sex object.
  • Economic Abuse
    Control over all financial matters, keeping someone for obtaining employment, taking out loans in partners names, placing unrealistic financial expectations on another

  • Spiritual Abuse
    Insulting or degrading someone for religious or cultural beliefs, not allowing them to practice their beliefs or forcing their beliefs onto another.

  • Technology-facilitated abuse
    Using monitoring software to obtain a person’s location, obtaining copies of test messages or contact numbers.

  • Power Abuse
    Making all the ‘big’ decisions, including decisions affecting the victims life, treating them like a servant, and expecting them to share everything about how they feel, what they are doing and their plans even if they do not want to tell.


Domestic Violence and Family Violence happens in all kinds of relationships, including between partners, LGBTIQ+ partners, older people and their children, parents and their teenage children, and more. 

Domestic and Family Violence is not okay, stand up speak up. Let’s support all our communities to live a life free from violence and gender inequality

What to do if you are experiencing Domestic Violence or Family Violence

If you are experiencing any type of Domestic Violence or Family Violence UCSA can help. You are not alone in this; Contact us now for confidential support.

UCSA
1300 06 7777 
Coober Pedy and Surrounding Regions

8672 5220
0488 991 945
Coober Pedy
Port Augusta and Surrounding Regions

7628 3100
0428 326 529
36 Stirling Road, Port Augusta
Mid North

8633 8600 / 0428 326 540
60 Florence Street, Port Pirie
Lower North

8842 4033 / 0428 326 530
Shop 4 Village Plaza, 47 Old North Road, Clare
Yorke Peninsula

8821 0300 / 0428 326 527
8 Digby Street, Kadina