To find services or supports you are comfortable with, please visit the helplines and support services page – use a friend’s phone if you think yours is being monitored.
Family and domestic violence is never ok. No matter what gender, sexuality, religion, cultural background, or the type of relationship that is involved, you have the right to live without violence or fear.
Family and domestic violence doesn't have to be physical abuse. It is behaviours that are used to coerce, control or create fear for another person, within a family or intimate relationship.
Family and domestic violence is often a pattern of different abusive behaviours, that a person uses over time, to control and harm someone, and it usually includes coercive control.
It can include sexual violence, financial abuse, stalking and harassment, social abuse and isolation, emotional and psychological abuse, spiritual abuse and honour-based violence. Family and domestic violence is a crime in Australia.
Unique forms of violence
Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone, from any culture. Family and domestic violence can include:
- Using your visa status to control you and threatening you with deportation.
- Stopping you from learning English.
- Isolating you from friends, family and people who speak your language.
- Forcing you into a marriage or a relationship against your will.
- Destroying your passport or other important documents.
- Stopping you from getting information in your language.
- Isolating you from your community and culture.
- Controlling whether you have a baby or not.
- Hurting you or your children and saying it’s allowed because of your culture or religion.
Find out more about recognising if you or someone you care about is experiencing family and domestic violence.
How to recognise family and domestic violence
Important things to know
- The language you speak should never stop you from getting help. There are support services available for everyone. See help and support below to find out more.
- Forced marriage and underage forced marriage is a crime in Australia. No one should be forced to marry if they don’t want to. Visit the Attorney-General's Department website to find out more about forced marriages and resources including different languages.
- Abuse and violence perpetrated by spouses or family members are crimes. Forcing you to have sex against your will, even in a marriage, is rape, and this is a crime.
- Child abuse includes physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse. Exposing a child to family and domestic violence is also a form of child abuse. Find out where you can go for help if you’re worried a child is unsafe.
- A partner, family members or other people in the community cannot threaten your visa status. If you hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309 or 820) or a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) and experience family violence, and your relationship has ended, you can apply to stay in Australia on your own. Find out more about family violence and partner visas on the Department of Social Services website.
Barriers you might be facing
You may face unique challenges and risks, such as:
- Language and communication barriers.
- Fear of discrimination.
- Issues around settlement and immigration.
- History of trauma and abuse before migration.
- Lack of family and community support.
- Lack of financial support.
- Lack of understanding of systems and laws that offer support and protection.
- Being conditioned to accepting family and domestic violence.
Help and support
If you are experiencing family violence, it is important to remember that the violence is never your fault. You have the right to feel safe and there are dedicated services and resources that offer culturally sensitive support.
Services and translated resources
- Multicultural Women’s Advocacy and Support: promotes the safety of women from migrant, refugee, or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Outreach services are in Rockingham/Fremantle, Gosnells, Mirrabooka and Northbridge. Phone: (08) 9328 1200.
- Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Service: provides holistic services to women from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. Phone: (08) 9345 5335.
- Multicultural Services Centre of WA: provides a range of programs and services to migrants and refugees. Phone: (08) 9328 2699.
- Centrelink – Multicultural and Multilingual Services: speak with a skilled bilingual service officer about Centrelink payments and services. Phone: 131 202 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
- Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre: aims to safeguard the rights of ethnic people with disabilities and their families. Phone: (08) 9388 7455; free call 1800 659 921.
- Family Safety Pack: this resource has been developed by the Australian Government Department of Social Services with information on Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault and forced marriage. It aims to reduce violence against women from migrant backgrounds, by ensuring they understand their rights and where to get support if needed. The pack includes factsheets on a range of topics, translated into over 40 languages.
Reach out to helplines
Speak with trained counsellors for support and discuss your options. Translators are available free if you are not confident speaking English. Contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and they can connect you with the service of your choice and interpret for you. Use a friend’s phone if you’re worried yours is being monitored.
- 1800RESPECT: a national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. Phone: 1800 737 732.
- Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline: provides support for women, with or without children, who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia (including referrals to women’s refuges). Phone: 1800 007 339. *This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker. We are here to help.
- Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline: provides telephone information and referrals for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours, and for male victims of family and domestic violence in Western Australia. Phone: 1800 000 599. *This helpline is operated by Department of Communities, and your call will be answered by a child protection worker. We are here to help.
- Kids Helpline: provides free support and counselling (talking through problems) to people aged 5-25. Phone: 1800 551 800
- Concern for a child's wellbeing: If you are concerned about a child's wellbeing, please contact the Department of Communities Child Protection Central Intake Team on 1800 273 889. If you are call outside of business hours, Crisis Care is available on 1800 199 008 and provides Western Australia’s after-hours response to reported concerns for a child’s safety and wellbeing and information and referrals for people experiencing crisis. For more information about child protection, please visit Child protection.
- MensLine Australia: support for men and boys dealing with family and relationship difficulties. Support for men who are concerned that their behaviour is hurting the people they care about. Phone: 1300 78 99 78.
Find more support services and helplines here:
Family and domestic violence services and resources
Statistics on family and domestic violence from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
People from different communities, culture, religion, situation and background can experience higher rates of specific forms of violence. Find out more on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website.
