DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

IF YOU HAVE SUFFERED AN INJURY THAT IS THE RESULT OF A

CRIMINAL ACT,  YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION

We can assist you in obtaining initial OBLIGATION- FREE legal advice from a specialist solicitor.

Just complete the Contact Form on the right of this page, and we will refer you to a solicitor.

This is an independent referral service. The solicitors that we refer to have extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with criminal injuries claims. They can in some cases offer their services on a "No Win No Fee" basis.

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What is Abuse?

Abuse, which is also called domestic violence, is any behaviour that causes physical, sexual or emotional damage, or causes you to live in fear. Non-physical forms of abuse can be just as damaging as physical violence.

Emotional abuse is when your partner

• constantly puts you down or criticises you
• threatens to stop you from seeing your children, or
• threatens to commit suicide if you leave the relationship.

Social abuse may include

• preventing you from seeing your friends and family
• making you feel guilty about going to work or socialising
• constantly checking up on your whereabouts.

Financial abuse is when your partner takes control of your financial affairs when you don't want him to, or prevents you from having access to money.

Sexual abuse is making you do sexual things that you don't want to do. Forcing you to have sex is a criminal offence, even if you are married.

Stalking is when a partner or ex-partner follows you around, or repeatedly tries to contact you, even if you've said you don't want this.

Physical abuse includes pushing, hitting, throwing objects, or threatening to physically harm you, other people, or pets.

How might this be affecting me?

All forms of abuse have damaging consequences. Your confidence can become worn down by abuse.

If you have been in an abusive relationship you may feel:

• afraid to tell anyone
• worried that it's your fault
• depressed and alone
• confused
• scared of coping on your own
• scared it will get worse if you leave
• worried about what others will think
• afraid that no-one will believe you
• frustrated and sad because you've tried everything.

Children are also affected if they live in a home where there is abuse. Remember, you're not to blame for the abuse. You have a right to feel safe and to live a life free from intimidation.

• 5.9 per cent of women had experienced physical violence in the 12 month period preceding the survey and 1.5 per cent had been sexually assaulted.
• 2.6 per cent of women who were married or in a defacto relationship (or 111 000 women) had experienced violence by their current partner in the 12 months preceding the survey.
• 23 per cent of women who had ever been married or been in a defacto relationship had experienced violence in that relationship.
• 1.1 million women experienced violence by a previous partner during and after the relationship.
• women were nearly four times more likely to experience violence by a man than by a woman.
• of all women in a current relationship, nine per cent reported some form of emotional abuse, which was defined as manipulation, isolation or intimidation. Women who experienced violence from their partner were significantly more likely to experience emotional abuse than those who had not (59 per cent compared to four per cent).

  It should be noted that Men also suffer from Domestic Violence. Domestic violence can occur in all types of relationships- heterosexual, homosexual, de facto, marriage etc.

If you would like initial obligation-FREE legal advice as to whether you might have a claim for compensation, please complete the contact form.

* IMPORTANT NOTICE:  The information contained in this website is not intended to be an advertisement for personal injury legal services in NSW and QLD.. There are laws which prohibit advertising of personal injury legal services in these States. Where a case may involve a personal injury compensation claim in NSW or QLD, our referral service WILL NOT be able to assist you i.e we are not allowed to refer you to a solicitor. We regret that we are unable to assist NSW and QLD citizens in such circumstances- but that is the law.

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