Beyond Bruises: Understanding the many forms of domestic violence

Domestic violence is a deeply complex issue that extends far beyond physical harm. While it may be commonly associated with visible injuries, the reality is that domestic violence can take many insidious forms, each leaving lasting, invisible scars. It affects individuals of all genders, backgrounds and abilities, infiltrating all aspects of their personal and professional lives.

At CoAct, we are dedicated to supporting our community’s overall wellbeing. While our core focus is employment services, we understand that personal challenges – including domestic violence – can significantly impact job readiness and stability. Our latest blog series aims to raise awareness about the different types of domestic violence and provide guidance on recognising the signs.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please seek help from specialised organisations such as 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732. At CoAct, we are here to support you on your employment journey with compassion and understanding.

This article provides an overview of the various forms of domestic violence, their signs, and how they may impact vulnerable groups. Together, we can raise awareness of this issue and work towards a safer community for everyone.

The information and statistics presented in this article have been compiled from sources, including Playing Our Part: A Framework for Workplace Action on Domestic and Family Violence, Our Watch, Safe Steps, Women Against Abuse, The Hotline and Love is Respect.

The reality of domestic violence in Australia

By now, most of us are aware that family violence is a significant issue worldwide, and Australia is sadly no exception. Australian police deal with a domestic violence incident every 2 minutes, and on average, one woman is killed by her current or former partner every 9 days.

Some forms of abuse, like physical abuse, can be obvious and are widely recognised as abuse, but there are other forms of abuse that can sometimes fly under the radar – though they can be equally harmful. Being informed about these different types of abuse can help us to recognise toxic patterns of behaviour so that we are better able to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

The many faces of domestic violence

Domestic violence manifests in numerous ways, often subtly undermining a victim’s dignity, autonomy or wellbeing. Below we outline key forms of abuse:

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse can include an actual or threatened attack to a person, but behaviours can be physically abusive even when they don’t result in physical assault. Physical abuse can include:

• Pushing, shoving, slapping, choking, hair pulling, use of weapons etc
• Destroying objects, throwing things across a room, smashing things
• Recklessly driving a vehicle in order to frighten or manipulate a passenger
• Physical neglect of someone relying on care – such as a disabled or elderly person
• Using intimidating body language – like blocking someone from leaving a room

Emotional/Psychological Manipulation: Emotional abuse is any behaviour that undermines a person’s confidence, self-worth or independence and is often used to help the perpetrator maintain power and control. Emotional abuse can include (but is not limited to:

• Name-calling, put downs and insults
• Deliberately undermining someones ability to trust themselves (gas-lighting)
• Maliciously shaming someone’s beliefs, physical appearance, sexuality or identity
• Intentionally embarrassing someone in front of others
• Threatening to “out” someone’s status to their friends, family or workplace

Coercive Control: Coercive control is a pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviours designed to control, threaten, frighten or isolate a partner. Examples of coercive control include:

• Threatening self harm so a partner will comply with demands
• Sowing seeds of doubt causing a person to question their memory, thoughts or sanity
• Isolating a partner from their friends or family
• Limiting access to transportation to control a person’s freedom
• Stalking a partner’s location, online activity or email
• Limiting access to money or hiding financial resources

Sexual Abuse: The majority of sexual abuse victims know their perpetrators. Sexual abuse involves any form of non-consensual sexual activity but can also include:

• Recording, photographing or sharing sexual acts without consent
• Withholding sex or affection as punishment
• Ignoring boundaries or sexual limits
• Inflicting pain during sex
• Refusing to use, sabotaging, or removing protection against pregnancy

Financial Abuse: Financial abuse is used to limit freedom, as well as limit opportunities for partners to socialise, work or even practise self care. By removing freedom to financial resources an abusive partner can further isolate their abused partner and remove the ability for an abused partner to leave. Financial abuse includes:

• Controlling access to finances
• Forced economic dependence
• Taking a partner’s wages/benefits
• Excluding a partner from financial decisions
• Incurring debts in their partner’s name
• Limiting their partner’s ability to earn their own money

Groups disproportionately affected by domestic violence

Research shows that intimate partner and family violence occurs across all sectors of our community, regardless of race, age, socio-economic status or ability, however some groups are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience disproportionally high rates of violence and are 31 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence–related assaults.
• Women with disability are almost twice as likely to experience family violence than abled bodied women.
• Violence is experienced at much higher rates across the LGBTQIA+ community.