Domestic Violence: How to Get Help

Cooks Hill Counselling recognises domestic violence as a dangerous act and fully supports people affected by it. If you find yourself at immediate risk, please call 000. For counselling services, contact us at 0421 598 486 or message us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooks-Hill-Counselling/259206244287245

Domestic violence is a dangerous behaviour that is intended to make you feel threatened and unsafe. The act is correlated to intimate partner violence and can also involve children, teens, parents, or the elderly. Domestic violence mainly involves dangerous physical actions but can come in many other forms: sexual assault, emotional abuse, stalking, controlling, defamation, financial exploitation, and unsolicited online monitoring.

Recognising Domestic Violence

Domestic violence comes in many forms, and it's essential to be educated about it. It may not be easy to identify domestic violence at first, but remember that you are not to blame for the destructive behaviour inflicted on you. Here are some of the following forms of domestic violence:

• Physical violence : Any aggressive act that involves any one or more of the following: punching, kicking, choking, pushing, shoving, biting, restraining, slapping, throwing objects, etc.
• Sexual assault: The perpetrator performs sexual behaviour intentionally on the victim without consent.
• Emotional abuse : The perpetrator constantly insults and humiliates the victim to gain control over him/her. Common forms include bullying, gaslighting, blackmailing and workplace abuse.
• Stalking : Stalking occurs when someone repeatedly surveils his/her victim/s, instilling fear and intimidation.

• Controlling : Controlling behaviour happens when someone is gaining control over the victim for his/her gain or enjoyment.

• Defamation : Intentional verbal abuse that harms a person's self-regard and self-confidence.

• Financial Exploitation : When someone manipulates and uses his/her victim's money without permission, stripping the victim of their financial freedom.
• Unsolicited online monitoring : When the perpetrator constantly checks on the victim's computer and/or phone without consent, uses apps to track him/her and their movements, and intentionally spreads intimate and private photos and videos across multiple websites without approval.

The longer you tolerate the abuse, the worse it tolls on you - both physically and mentally. Most of the victims subjected to domestic violence have developed depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.

While it may be hard to talk about the abuse, remember that you are not alone in the fight. No one deserves to be abused by someone else.

Cooks Hill Counselling opens its doors to domestic violence victims and helps you provide your much-needed support: contact us at 0421 598 486 or message us on Facebook. If you require immediate help, please call 000.