What is Family Violence?

The Family Violence Protection Act (Victoria) 2008 defines family violence as behaviour towards a family member which is: physically or sexually abusive; emotionally or psychologically abusive; economically abusive; threatening; coercive; or in any other way controls or dominates a family member and causes them to feel fear for the safety or well-being of themselves or another person.

The Act says a child is also a victim of the violence if they hear, witnesses or are otherwise exposed to such behaviour or its effects.