What is Family and Domestic Violence?
Family domestic violence refers to violent, threatening, or abusive behaviour where an abuser seeks to dominate, coerce, or control the other person, often an intimate family member or partner. Family and domestic violence is not limited to physical harm, it can include emotional, sexual, financial, psychological abuse and social isolation as well.
Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone, in any post code, in any community. It can be used by a perpetrator to undermine a person’s rights, inhibit their options, undermine their safety, mental and physical health, and limit opportunities for learning dissipation, access to material basics and economic well-being, relationships, or connection.
The Policy
The Policy outlines our approach to supporting you if you are experiencing family or domestic violence. It is designed to minimise the risk of harm during our interactions with you and provide you with respectful, sensitive, and timely assistance.
How can we help?
We are committed to supporting all employees and customers who are experiencing or impacted by family and domestic violence. We will provide a supportive and confidential environment where you can feel comfortable informing us of your situation and seeking the support you need.
Training
Our employees are trained to provide a supportive and confidential environment where you can feel comfortable providing information to us about your situation and seeking the support you need.
Your Privacy
We recognise that privacy and confidentiality can be critical to your safety in any family and domestic violence situation, and we will treat any information you give us about your situation and your personal circumstances with the utmost confidentiality. For further information on Privacy, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Financial hardship
If you are experiencing temporary financial difficulty because of family and domestic violence, you may be eligible for financial hardship support such as reduced claims excesses or outstanding debts owed to us. For information on financial hardship please refer to our financial hardship policy.
Sometimes you may need extra support with your finances when impacted by family and domestic violence, for free, confidential, independent financial advice you can call the National Debt Help line on 1800 007 007.
We recognise everyone’s circumstances are different and you may require support for various services at different times. Listed below are some national support services to assist you.
Other Support Services
| Who | What | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 1800RESPECT | 24-hour hotline for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual abuse | 1800 737 732 |
| Lifeline | Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide | 13 11 14 |
| Relationships Australia | Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners | 1300 364 277 |
| Kids Help Line | Free, private, and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people between 5 and 25 in Australia | 1800 551 800 |
| Mensline Australia | 24 Hour phone and online support and information service for Australian men. Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties | 1300 789 978 |
| Women’s Legal Services Australia | National network or community centres specialising in women’s legal issues | Visit www.wlsa.org.au |
| Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline | A dedicated contact line for aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victim’s rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance | 1800 019 123 |
| QLIFE | Free telephone and web-based counselling, referrals, and support for LGBTI people and their families | 1800 184 527 |
| National Debt Helpline | Free confidential, independent financial advice | 1800 007 007 |
Who
1800RESPECT
What
- 24-hour hotline for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual abuse
Contact
- 1800 737 732
Who
Lifeline
What
- Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide
Contact
- 13 11 14
Who
Relationships Australia
What
- Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners
Contact
- 1300 364 277
Who
Kids Help Line
What
- Free, private, and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people between 5 and 25 in Australia
Contact
- 1800 551 800
Who
Mensline Australia
What
- 24 Hour phone and online support and information service for Australian men. Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties
Contact
- 1300 789 978
Who
Women’s Legal Services Australia
What
- National network or community centres specialising in women’s legal issues
Contact
- Visit www.wlsa.org.au
Who
Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline
What
- A dedicated contact line for aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victim’s rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance
Contact
- 1800 019 123
Who
QLIFE
What
- Free telephone and web-based counselling, referrals, and support for LGBTI people and their families
Contact
- 1800 184 527
Who
National Debt Helpline
What
- Free confidential, independent financial advice
Contact
- 1800 007 007