Domestic abuse isn’t only physical.
It is also verbal, psychological, financial, coercive control, intimidation, throwing things, slamming doors, banging things down on bench tops and dining tables to intimidate, lying down behind
their partner’s car so they can’t leave, stopping their partner from visiting friends and family, taking their partner’s car keys or mobile phone.
Abusers are reluctant to describe their behaviour as abusive.
Instead, they blame their partner for their behaviour.
If their partner didn’t say that or didn’t do this etc, they wouldn’t have behaved in the way that they did.
Victims blame themselves for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, not keeping the children quiet when their partner arrives home, not having the house spotless, the meal cooked and the kids bathed before their partner walks in the door.
The victim is walking on eggshells every day and can’t relax.
The kids and parent are always on high alert.
The victim and the children are living with name calling and swearing, yelling and screaming.
Often there is drug use involved.
If the victim and children can’t leave, an AVO needs to be put in place on the abuser.
Sometimes the victim is reluctant to leave because of what is known as post separation abuse.
The abuse is likely to escalate after separation.
It is essential for the parent and child/children to separate themselves from the abuser for their physical and psychological safety.
If you are in this situation and would like support to leave, click on the link below for a booking today.
