Family & Domestic Violence Prevention & Awareness Month

May is Family & Domestic Violence Prevention & Awareness Month

Family & Domestic Violence Prevention & Awareness Month aims to help people better understand the issues surrounding Family & Domestic Violence. It aims to connect victims to help and equip everyone with the knowledge and the understanding to say NO to violence.

What Is Family & Domestic Violence?

Family and Domestic Violence occurs when one person in a relationship uses their power to control another person in any way. Family & Domestic Violence can take on many forms including:

• Physical
• Verbal
• Emotional
• Social
• Financial
• Spiritual
• And Sexual Abuse

It is often subtle and kept under wraps, yet it takes an enormous toll on all those who are affected by it, leaving many people with long lasting and debilitating effects.

What Are The Effects Of Family & Domestic Violence

Family & Domestic Violence takes on many different forms and can result in physical injury at times resulting in death. But beyond the physical effects Family & Domestic Violence there are a number of other issues people can face such as:

• Low self esteem
• Loneliness
• Lack of emotional support
• Shame

The full effect of an act of violence in a relationship, a friendship or a home is not confined to those situations, it spills over into other relationships, into schools, into our streets and ultimately takes a huge toll not only on the individuals involved but on our society as a whole.

Who Does Family & Domestic Violence Affect?

Family & Domestic Violence is a real issue that thousands of Australians come face to face with every year. The lives of families and individuals from all cultural and social backgrounds are affected by Family and Domestic Violence.

The fact is that 1 out of 4 women in Australia will be affected by Family and Domestic Violence sometime in their life and ultimately our whole community is affected as well, it is a fact that Family and Domestic violence will cost the Australian economy nearly $8 Billion each year.

Domestic Violence hurts Children too, even if the violence is not directed at them. Even though the violence is not seen or heard, children are aware that it is happening through the obvious tension, fear and distress in the home or the relationship. These Children who live with violence even if they are not physically abused, can experience emotional and psychological trauma just like an adult might.

The simple truth is that everyone has the right to feel safe and no adult or child should have to live in fear of their parents, partners or family. The message is clear violence of any kind in our community is NOT on.

What Are Some Things We Can All Do?

We can all be involved in making our community a place where violence is seen as preventable and not inevitable.

Here are some simple ideas on how all of us can help:

• Promote and support non violent behaviors in sport, work and general community behavior.
• Expect and give respect in your relationships.
• Set an example for others to follow.
• Protect children from violence - Get your school involved in learning about respectful relationships.
• Men, take action to end violence against women.
• Create awareness that violence is a community wide issue.
• Believe and support people when they tell you they have experienced violence.
• Adopt and support anti violence practices and culture in your organizations or business.
• Provide support and sponsorship to maintain a community awareness that Toowoomba Says NO to Violence

What Can I Do If I Am In A Violent Relationship?

You can talk to someone about your options.

These may include:

• Staying in the relationship, and increasing your safety
• Staying in the relationship and seeking a Protection Order
• Leaving the relationship and seeking a Protection Order
• Leaving the relationship and seeking independent accommodation
• Seeking accommodation in a Women’s Refuge
• Seeking legal advice

How & Where Can You Find Help If You’re In A Violent Relationship

If you believe you are in a violent relationship and you want to find someone who can help there are people available to help. Before making contact with any organisation, group or individual it is very important that you are sure that you will be safe in doing so.

If you would like to contact the church you can do so by calling the office or clicking on the meail link in the How Can We Help  section below. Otherwise you can check out our Family & Domestic Violence contact list by clicking here.