What is Domestic Violence

Domestic and Family Violence occurs in relationship when one person, through their actions or words makes the other person feel scared, small or humiliated.

It's easy to think that what is happening in your relationship is not as bad as it could be.

Therefore, when you look at a list of behaviours that can occur in an abusive relationship it is easy to say "at least he doesn't hit me".
However many women tell us that sometimes the other types of abuse are worse than physical violence, because they can be harder to identify, and more hurtful inside.

Research tells us that all types of violence, including verbal and emotional abuse, hurt women both physically and mentally.

The power and control wheel below shows the many ways in which one person can try and control another .

More information about relationships is available from

Love: the good, the bad, the ugly

The Domestic Violence Resource Centre