Identifying family and domestic violence

It’s not always easy to recognise if you’re experiencing family and domestic violence.

What family and domestic violence is

Family and domestic violence is any behaviour that makes you or your family feel scared or unsafe. It’s violent, threatening, controlling or coercive behaviour.

It can happen to anyone, in any type of relationship, including:

  • past and current intimate partners
  • relationships between carers and the people they care for
  • parents, guardians or other family members
  • between children and their parents
  • other people you see often, whether inside or outside the home
  • in cultural family groups or extended family.

Find out about types of family and domestic violence.

Information in your language

You can find translated fact sheets to help you understand if you are experiencing family and domestic violence on the Break the Cycle website.

There’s a translated Family Safety Pack on the Department of Social Services website.


Page last updated: 14 April 2023