Domestic
VIOLENCE
Counselling & Recovery
Confidential counselling, and recovery support for people experiencing domestic, family, or intimate partner abuse by someone with lived-experience as a recipient of domestic violence.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence (DV), also called family violence or intimate partner violence, refers to patterns of behaviour used to control, intimidate, or harm another person in a relationship.
DV can occur in:
- Romantic relationships
- Marriages
- De facto relationships
- Same-sex relationships
- Former partner relationships
- Family relationships
Signs of Domestic Violence
People often question whether what they are experiencing is abuse.
Some warning signs include:
- Feeling afraid of your partner or family member
- Walking on eggshells to avoid conflict
- Being controlled or monitored
- Having your finances restricted
- Being isolated from friends or family
- Being threatened, humiliated, or degraded
- Being physically harmed or intimidated
DV often escalates over time, particularly during relationship transitions such as separation.
If something feels wrong or unsafe, it is important to speak to someone.
Domestic violence can include:
đź“ŤPhysical violence:Hitting, choking, pushing, or any physical harm. đź“ŤEmotional or psychological abuse:Humiliation, threats, manipulation, gaslighting, or constant criticism. đź“ŤCoercive control:Monitoring behaviour, isolating someone from friends or family, restricting movement or independence. | đź“ŤFinancial abuse:Controlling money, preventing someone from working, or creating financial dependency. đź“ŤSexual abuse:Any sexual activity without consent. Forcing or with-holding sex as a power tactic. đź“ŤTechnology-facilitated abuse:Surveillance, stalking, harassment, or monitoring through phones or online accounts. |
Domestic violence and abuse is about power, control, and fear, not conflict or disagreement.
What the Research Shows
Domestic violence is a complex social and psychological issue affecting many individuals and families.
Research consistently shows:
- Intimate partner violence occurs across both genders and, all demographics, cultures, and socioeconomic groups.
- In Australia, women are statistically more likely to experience violence from an intimate partner, while men are also victims and often experience abuse from partners or other family members. 
- National surveys suggest around one in three people who experience partner violence are male, although reporting rates vary and under-reporting is common. 
- Violence can occur in any relationship dynamic and may involve perpetrators of any gender.
- Many victims never report abuse due to fear, shame, financial dependency, or concern about children.
Domestic violence is widely recognised as a public health issue with significant impacts on mental health, physical safety, and family wellbeing.
Support for Victim-Survivors
Experiencing domestic violence or abuse can create profound emotional and psychological impacts.
People often experience:• Anxiety• Hypervigilance• Loss of confidence• Trauma responses• Sleep disruption• Shame or self-blame• Difficulty trusting others | Counselling can help individuals:• Understand the dynamics of abuse• Rebuild emotional safety• Process trauma• Develop boundaries and safety strategies• Rebuild confidence and independence• Support children affected by family violence |
Recovery is possible with the right support.
Call or text to arrange a confidential consultation or discuss whether counselling is right for you.
If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
Emergency: Policeđź“ž 000
1800RESPECTAustralia’s national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service.📞 1800 737 732📱 Text: 0458 737 732Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
1800RESPECTAustralia’s national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service.📞 1800 737 732📱 Text: 0458 737 732Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
LifelineCrisis support and suicide prevention.đź“ž 13 11 14Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Disclaimer:Level Up Counselling provides counselling support and is not a crisis service.If you are in immediate danger please contact emergency services on 000.