see also:

• psychiatry and mental health
• managing violence or the aggressive patient in the ED
• cultural issues in domestic violence
• sexual assault / rape
• non-fatal suffocation or strangulation
• Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

• domestic violence is a crime in Australia

• physical assault - including pushing, poking, biting, hair-pulling, pinching, hitting, punching, suffocation or strangulation, or using a weapon
• sexual assault - rape within marriage is a crime in Victoria
• threatening behaviour - including threatening suicide or threatening to take or kill the children
• public insults
• refusing to let someone see friends or family
• making a person think they are crazy (“gas lighting”)
• smashing objects
• disconnecting the phone
• locking a person in a house
• drugging a person
• controlling all the money
• treating someone like a servant

• ED staff should have a low index of suspicion for domestic violence and should offer counseling, protection advice, written material with information including contact numbers and a safety plan.
• take care to avoid documenting this on any discharge letter or similar which may be seen by the perpetrator and which may further escalate violence

• telephone interpreter services 24×7: ph: 131 450
• Women's domestic violence crisis service of Victoria: ph: 1800 015 188 or 9322 3555
• Sexual assault crisis and counseling line ph: 1800 806 292
• Women's Health West ph: 9689 9588
• Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service ph: 1800 755 988 or 8413 6800
• Women's Legal Service: ph: 1800 133 302 or 9642 0343
• Legal Aid Information Service: ph: 9269 0120
• Legal Aid (Western Metropolitan region): ph: 9300 5333
• Court network ph: 9603 7433
• Income and support - contact Centrelink on 136 150 and ask for an appointment with a social worker
• emergency accommodation and support - Metro West ph 9689 2777 or Salvation Army ph: 9312 5424
• support for victims of sexual assault:
  • Western region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA) ph 9687 5811
  • CASA House ph: 9635 3610
• Women's Information Referral Exchange ph: 1300 134 130
• Kids Help Line ph: 1800 551 800
• Parentline ph: 13 22 89
• for men who want to change their violent behaviour or abuse in the home:
  • Men's referral Service ph: 9428 2899 or 1800 065 973
  • LifeWorks: ph: 8650 6200

1. leave money and an extra set of car keys hidden outside the house or at a neighbour's house
2. keep important documents (birth certificates, bank details, drivers licence) and an extra set of clothes at a friend's house or hidden near an exit
3. make friends with your neighbours and get them to agree to call the police if they hear anything suspicious coming from your house
4. develop a code word with two friends or family members that lets them know that you need to get out NOW
5. if you have children, let their teachers/school principal know enough about the situation that they can support you appropriately in a crisis. Try to get them to agree not to release the kids to your partner if you tell them you are about to leave.
6. try to avoid arguments in the bathroom, kitchen, garage or other room where there are potential weapons
7. try to keep your back to a door or exit rather than a wall or corner
8. decide NOW where you will go and how you will get there the next time the person becomes violent
9. keep a diary of incidents and dates abuse took place to use as evidence
10. always remember, you do NOT deserve to be hurt! Family violence is a crime and you have the right to report it.