On this page, we talk about physical
Violence and abuse is when someone:
- hurts you
- scares you
- controls you.
We call it physical violence and abuse if someone:
- hurts your body
- takes away your control of your body.
We have information and resources on this website to help you get the support you need.
You can find out more on our page about support.
What physical violence and abuse is
Physical violence and abuse is when someone hurts your body.
It might happen with a weapon, like a knife.
It might also include:
- taking away equipment you need to live your daily life, like a wheelchair
- controlling when you can use equipment you need for your daily life.
Physical violence and abuse is also when someone might:
- hold your body so you cannot move
- kick your body
- force you to take medicine you do not want to take.
Who can experience physical violence and abuse
1 in 3 Australian women said they had experienced physical violence or abuse since they were 15 years old.
Women with disability are more likely than other women to experience physical violence or abuse from their partner.
Where physical violence and abuse can happen
If you are a woman, you might experience physical violence or abuse from:
- someone you know
- a stranger.
Physical violence and abuse can happen:
- in your home
- in the community
- where you work
- at your school.
What you can do
If you are experienced physical violence and abuse, you might feel:
- confused
- scared
- stressed.
Sometimes, leaving the situation can be hard.
There are steps you can take if you have experienced physical violence or abuse.
We have information and resources on this website to help you get the support you need.
You can find out more on our page about support.
You should take care of yourself.
You can find out more on our page about getting the most out of life.
Example story
We wrote a story to show an example of physical violence or abuse.
The story we wrote is about a person called Sara.
The story and the people in it are not real.
We made them up to explain physical violence or abuse.
Sara’s story
Sara lives with her aunty.
Sometimes, Sara finds it hard to understand what her aunty wants her to do.
Her aunty becomes frustrated with Sara.
One night, Sara did not understand what her aunty wanted her to do.
Her aunty slapped her hard on the back of her head.
Sara fell forward and hit her head on the floor.
What her aunty is doing to Sara is physical violence and abuse.
Sara works with someone who often pinches her very hard on her arm when they work together.
This hurts Sara.
What this person is doing to Sara is physical violence and abuse.
It is never your fault if you have experienced the bad behaviour we talk about on this page.
We are sorry that this has happened to you.
The first thing you should do is make sure you are safe.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call Triple Zero.
000
We have a section on this website about how to call Triple Zero.
You can find out more on our page about a guide to call Triple Zero.
You can contact 1800RESPECT for support.
You can call them.
1800 737 732
You can talk to someone online.
You can send them a text message.
0458 737 732
If you send them a text message, you can just send the word ‘HELLO’.
You can leave your partner if this is where you are experiencing the bad behaviour.
For example, your boyfriend or girlfriend.
You can find out more on our page about how to be safe when you leave a relationship.
If you are not ready to leave your partner, you can still make a plan about how to be safe.
You can find out more on our page about when you are not ready to leave a relationship.
You can get support from your friends and family.
It is a good idea to tell them:
- what they can do to help you
- to focus on what you need to feel safe.
You can keep proof of the person’s bad behaviour if it safe for you to do so.
You can give this proof to the police if you decide to contact them.
You can start to manage your own money so you can leave if or when you want to.
You can find out more on our page about managing your own money.
You can share what is happening to a government organisation.
For example, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
AHRC is an organisation that makes sure people treat others:
- fairly
- equally.
You can call a helpline.
Helplines are phone numbers that will connect you to people who:
- care about what you are going through
- can give you good advice.
We have a list of helplines on our website.
You can find out more on our page about helplines.
You can work with someone to explore how you think and feel.
This can help you:
- reach goals
- feel safe
- learn skills
- understand what happened to you.
You can find out more on our page about counselling.
You can learn more about the rules about how people must treat you:
- fairly
- equally.
You can find out more on our page about your rights.
You can think about what you can do to care for yourself.
You can find out more on our page about caring for yourself.
You might have experienced the bad behaviour from someone who did a service for you.
For example, from:
- a health professional
- someone who cleaned your house.
You can talk to the person who organises your services if this has happened to you.
