Support for Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence encompasses a complex pattern of behaviours that may include physical acts of violence, sexual or verbal or emotional abuse.

• Women experience domestic violence at greater rates than men do, and victims of abuse often live in fear due to the control that is maintained over them.

• Domestic violence is a major public health problem and is very common.

• Victims of domestic violence can present to health services with a range of chronic symptoms.

• A difference can be made, with empathic and non-judgemental interactions following any disclosures of domestic violence.

Hegarty K, Hindmarsh ED, Gilles MT. Domestic violence in Australia: definition, prevalence and nature of presentation in clinical practice. The Medical Journal of Australia. 2000 Oct 2;173(7):363-7.