FAMILY VIOLENCE

Physical and sexual violence between family members is subject to legal intervention in the same way as violence between strangers.

However, family violence is not just physical. It can take the form of verbal, emotional, social or psychological abuse, financial or economic deprivation, or cultural or religious abuse.

Only some aspects of family violence give rise to criminal sanction.

All aspects of family violence are relevant to Family Court proceedings.

The South Australian family (domestic) violence legislation introduced in 1994 (Domestic Violence Act 1994 ) was aimed at placing family violence as a social problem affecting all members of society and attracting the full sanctions of criminal justice intervention rather than keeping the problem behind closed doors as a 'private' family concern.

There are practical measures which can be taken at the point of crisis and afterwards. Legal remedies are also available. It should however be pointed out that legal remedies can sometimes be of limited use in a crisis. The courts and the police cannot be on hand 24 hours a day to step in and stop assaults. The law can warn people of the consequences of physical and sexual violence and punish them after the event but it is more often the practical steps and planning a person can take which will be of much greater significance for their safety than reliance on legal remedies alone.

Contact points

Domestic Violence Help Line (for men and women)

Telephone: 1800 800 098

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Telephone: 8413 8121 / 1300 782 200

After hours: 13 16 11 (Crisis Care)

Central Domestic Violence Service
Eastern region 8365 5033
Western region 8268 7700
After hours: 13 16 11 (Crisis Care)

Southern Domestic Violence Service

Telephone: 8382 0066

After hours: 13 16 11 (Crisis Care)

Northern Domestic Violence Service

Telephone: 8255 3622