Contents >>
Defining Family and Domestic Violence
DEFINING FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
As used in this directory, the term 'Family and Domestic Violence' covers a wide range of abusive behaviours committed in the context of intimate relationships such as those involving family members, children, partners, ex-partners, or caregivers. It can include many types of behaviour or threats, including: physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse and intimidation, economic and social deprivation, damage of personal property and abuse of power. Further information about the issues in defining FDV are discussed in Chapter 2 of the Conceptual Framework for Family and Domestic Violence, 2009 (cat. no. 4529.0).
It is acknowledged that there is no single nationally or internationally agreed definition as to what constitutes 'Family Violence', 'Domestic Violence' or any similar term and that different definitions may be specified in legislation or be required in different contexts and jurisdictions. It is also acknowledged that definitional requirements may evolve and change in future, with regard to either the range of behaviours considered abusive or the nature/type of relationships included.
The term 'Family and Domestic Violence' is used generally throughout this directory to reflect the mixed use of the terms 'Family Violence' and Domestic Violence' and is a combination of the various contextual elements implicit in these individual terms, including relationships, location of offences, and/or domestic arrangements. Terms used in specific data source entries, reflect the definition employed by that data source.
To assist readers in determining which data sources may be appropriate for their purposes, detailed metadata has been provided about the definitions used by each data source included in this directory.
Print Page
Print All