About family violence
Family violence takes many forms and it occurs across all social groups in the community.
While physical violence may be the most visible, there are other forms of family violence. These include:
- physical assault (such as pushing, slapping, punching, choking)
- verbal abuse (such as put-downs, threats and intimidation)
- sexual assault (such as manipulating or forcing you to do sexual things, even if you are married)
- emotional abuse (such as weakening your self-esteem)
- controlling behaviours (such as deciding who you can see or what you do)
- stalking (such as monitoring your online activity, following you)
- financial abuse (such as controlling access to money)
- pet abuse (such as threatening or harming an animal)
- travel visa abuse (such as controlling access to visa documentation or threatening to impact your visa status)
- social abuse (such as isolating you from family and friends)
- spiritual abuse (such as preventing you from practising your spiritual beliefs)
- threats or actually self-harming and saying you are responsible
- spousal homicide.
If someone is violent, abusing and hurting you or your children, it is not your fault.
Support services
There are services that you can reach out to for advice or help.
Download our family violence safety card for easy reference to support services.
View family violence safety card
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Family violence in Knox
Incidence of family violence in Knox continues to be above the eastern metropolitan average.
- 56% of all assaults on people in Knox in 2021/22 were family violence related.
Family violence is a major health and welfare issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Men, women and children can be victims of family violence and the latest data for the year to September 2022, shows that 72% of recorded victims are female (Source: Victorian Family Violence Data Portal, Crime Statistics Agency, 2023). This is consistent with data over the last decade indicating that on average, women make up around three quarters of victims.
Family violence and homelessness
The ties between family violence and homelessness are clear. In fact, family violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in this state.
There is help available if you are at risk of homelessness or need housing support.
If someone else is experiencing family violence
Safe steps provide information on how you can help and support them.
How we work against family violence
Council supports preventing family violence by delivering a range of activities to keep our community safe. This includes:
- collaborating with key organisations that provide crisis intervention
- funding projects with a family violence prevention focus
- training our Maternal and Child Health workers, Youth Services and Aged Care workers to provide assessment, support and referral.
Council's commitment to the prevention of family violence
Knox City Council commits to working toward a community free from violence.
We recognise that family violence is a major health and welfare issue. It affects people of all ages and all backgrounds.
We also recognise the wide-ranging and damaging impact family violence has on the lives of those affected and on the community as a whole.
We commit to preventing and responding to family violence through Council’s services, programs and advocacy. Please view our Family Violence Statement of Commitment for more details.
Need help?
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
