Domestic Family and Sexual Violence
Domestic violence is when a person or persons in a relationship or family use behaviour that is violent, threatening or controlling against you. There are many ways domestic violence can happen, and all are serious. Domestic violence can come from your intimate partner, ex-partner or other family members such as a father-in-law, cousin or adult child.
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If you think you are in danger or feel afraid, call the police on 000.
Domestic violence can include:
Physical violence – e.g. hitting, choking or burning.
Sexual violence - e.g. sexual assault, penetration, unwanted touching.
emotional abuse and psychological abuse – e.g. makes a client feel crazy, tells the client that they are crazy, judges feelings, does not respect boundaries
Coercive control - e.g. controlling behaviour intended to make the client feel afraid, controls what the client says, threatens to hurt themselves, the client, a family member, or pet (1st July 2024 coercive control became a legally recognised as a crime).
Financial abuse – e.g. the client has no control over their finances, and they are not allowed or encouraged to work.
Technology abuse – e.g. the client’s phone is constantly checked, surveillance devices are on their phone or in the home, intimate images of the client are shared without permission.
Domestic and family violence is very common:
1 in 4 women have experienced domestic and family violence since the age of 15
1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence, since the age of 15.
All forms of domestic, family and sexual violence are crimes against you. It is important to know that domestic violence is never your fault. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2021).
There are many options and organisations available to you to help you make the most informed decisions about your safety. Please look in our Directory for these organisations.
For all enquiries please contact us.
Contact us today
Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre provides client centred and trauma informed wrap-around health services, support and education to marginalised and financially disadvantaged women.
LWCHC is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. LWCHC welcomes all women irrespective of ethnicity, mental health, history of suicidality, drug use, faith, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
We are not a crisis counselling or drop-in centre. Our practitioners see women by appointment. Phone us to find out more or to book an appointment: 9560 3011. If you have an urgent medical condition, please go straight to the hospital or dial 000.
Funded by NSW Health
Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre (LWCHC) acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We acknowledge the continuation of cultural and spiritual practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. LWCHC supports The Uluru Statement From the Heart.
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