Section 4AB of the Family Law Act 1975 states the meaning of family violence. Essentially it is behaviour that “coerces or controls a member of the person’s family…, or causes the family member to be fearful”.
Some examples of family violence include:
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Assault
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Sexual assault or sexually abusive behaviour
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Stalking
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Repeated derogatory taunts
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Intentionally damaging or destroying property
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Intentionally causing death or injury to an animal
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Control of finances, including the withholding of financial support
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Preventing contact with family members
Children do not have to be physically harmed to be victims of household violence. Some examples of Children being exposed to household violence include:
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Overhearing threats
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Seeing or hearing an assault
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Assisting a family member who has been assaulted
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Cleaning up after a family violence incident
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Witnessing Police attendance after a family violence incident
The short video above has been produced by the Queensland Courts and helps explains household violence further.
Should you believe that you and or your Children are currently/or have been a victim of household violence and should you want further information about how to best protect your Children and or yourself, please contact our office for a free 15 minute discussion with one of our Solicitors on (07) 5679 8016.