Action to Take When Dealing With Family Violence

When dealing with family violence in Melbourne, there are a number of actions that you can take. They can help you stay safe and get the support you need.

Abuse can happen in many ways, including verbal abuse, shaming or threats of physical harm. It can also include sexual and financial abuse.

Seek help

Family violence is a serious and complex issue that affects many people. If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, it is important to take action to protect yourself and your family.

Healthcare professionals are often the first to recognize that a patient may be suffering from domestic violence. They should be able to make an appropriate referral for treatment. Secondly, a Civil Attorney that specializes in family law can help by taking a legal approach, and work out what orders need to be in place to keep you and your children safe.

The effects of domestic violence can be severe, including worsened psychological and physical health, depression and anxiety, decreased productivity, and in some cases, death. In addition, survivors of domestic violence can face financial hardships when leaving an abusive relationship. This can make it even harder for survivors to get the assistance they need.

Call the police

In a domestic violence situation, the first point of call is to call the police. The police can provide support and help you to get away from the abuser as soon as possible.

This can help to keep you safe and protect your children. It may also mean you can avoid a Protective Order which could limit your freedom to leave the home or travel without the abuser.

A police officer should arrive at the scene of the family violence incident and interview everyone separately. They should fill out a domestic incident report and give you a chance to make a statement.

Leave the home

When dealing with family violence, it is important to remember that staying at home can be dangerous. Your safety is the most important thing to consider, so you should try to get away as soon as possible and find somewhere safe to stay.

As a victim of a domestic violence relationship, you would most likely feel very isolated from friends and family and feel a sense of shame to ask for help. However, this is the time where you are most vulnerable and having the courage to ask for help is an important one that could in fact save your life. You need to reach out to a friend to arrange to pick you up and move you out as soon as possible. If you feel it unsafe to do so while there is an episode of family violence. Wait until you find a time when the abuser is not around. You can even find Melbourne removalists on Find a Mover to help you move out.

In some cases, you may be able to apply to the court for an order preventing your abuser from coming to your house or harassing you. This can be an effective way of stopping them contacting you and it may help keep your children safe too.

If you need to leave, it is important to plan how to keep your things safe so you can leave without losing anything valuable. Talking to a domestic violence advocate can help you develop a plan.

Talk to a counsellor

Whether you are dealing with your own situation or that of someone else, talking to a counsellor can be an important action to take. It can help you to see things from a different perspective and make changes in your life that are beneficial.

The right counsellor can also be a source of support for you or your friend, which can be crucial in helping to break the cycle of violence. They will be able to provide you with advice on safety plans and protection orders, as well as help with counselling, support groups and other services that are available to you.

They should be well trained and have excellent communication skills. They should also have empathy and be non-judgemental.

Report the abuse

When dealing with family violence, it's important to report the abuse. It can help prosecutors and police decide what to do about it.

Sexual and physical abuse, as well as psychological and financial abuse, are common forms of family violence. They occur often enough and for long periods of time to be dangerous for the victim, their children, and their immediate family members.

Verbal abuse, threatening and intimidation, and shaming are also common types of domestic violence. These are less easily identified, but firmly establish a pattern of control in a relationship.