Domestic violence is considered to be behaviour which results in physical, sexual and/or psychological damage, forced social isolation, economic deprivation, or behaviour which causes the victim to live in fear.

Sexual abuse
Any unwanted sexual contact this includes rape.

Emotional abuse
This includes psychological and verbal abuse. It occurs most often in the form of humiliation, threats, insults, harassment or constant criticism.

Physical abuse
Punching, choking, hitting, pushing, shoving, throwing objects, smashing objects, damaging property, injuring pets and the threat of all of these.

Verbal abuse
Continued verbal harassment, put downs, insults, name calling and swearing.

Social abuse
Not allowing the partner to have friends, isolating partner from family, being denied access from the car or telephone.

Economic abuse
One person takes total control of the family income so that the other person is either allowed no money or money only for household expenses and nothing for personal use.

Important information for those experiencing family and domestic violence - Personal Safety Plan

• Attempt to gauge your partner's level of violence so that you can assess danger to you and your children before it occurs.
• Identify safe areas of the house where there are no weapons and where there are escape routes. If arguments occur, try to move to those areas.
• Do not run to where the children are as you may put them in danger also.
• Have a list of emergency phone numbers on hand. Know where the nearest pay phone is located. Do not be afraid to call the police.
• Let your friends and neighbours know of your situation and develop a plan with them for when you need help. This may include a signal such as turning the outside light on even during the day if you need help.
• Show your children how to get help. Do not allow them to get involved in the violence between you and your partner.
• Plan a code word to tell them that they should get help or leave the house.
• Teach your children that violence is never right, even when someone they love is being violent. Tell them that it is not their fault and they have not done anything to cause the violence. Practice how to get out safely. Practice with your children.
• Have a spare set of car keys hidden for when you may need to escape.
• If you have the opportunity try to set money aside or ask friends or family members to hold money for you.
• Keep a journal of all violent incidences, noting dates, events and threats made if possible.
• Contact Crisis Care or the Police and find out about laws and other resources available to you before you have to use them during a crisis.
• Plan with your children and identify a safe place for them to go. Reassure them that their job is to stay safe, not to protect you.
• Tell someone you trust what is happening to you.
• If you have been injured, go to a doctor or an emergency room and report the incident. Ask for the information to be documented.