About Domestic Violence – Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Domestic Violence Services

Domestic Violence is about to use of power, particularly the powerful men over women.
Almost always men are the abusers and women and children are the victims.
It happens to all kinds of families.
Domestic violence is not just about being hit it can be:
Physical: bruises, cuts, broken bones, burns, throwing and breaking household objects, punching and kicking walls and doors etc.
Sexual: rape, bondage, use of objects against your will, demanding sex.
Emotional/Verbal: Threats and intimidation, put downs about your body shape, grooming and mothering abilities, erosion of self esteem, destruction of self worth.
Social: But downs in front of other people, isolating you from your family and friends, smothering you buy the with you all the time, and not giving any personal space.
Economic or Financial: “It keeps you poor”, demanding you pay all the bills and food etc. with completely inadequate money for not allowing you to have any money.

There are no excuses for domestic violence.
The victims survivors of domestic violence and never to blame.
Violence can occur without the use of alcohol. Alcohol is often an excuse not a cause.
Netting or annoying behavior is not to trigger to domestic violence. There is no excuse for violence. No one deserves to be abused.
Domestic violence occurs across all cultures and social groups.
Domestic violence occurs in a lot of families.
“There’s nothing so awful that we can’t talk to someone about it.”
“We have the right to feel safe of all the time.”
“You don’t have to leave your situation to seek assistance from us.”