Domestic Violence Counselling Overview
Domestic violence occurs when a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate or harm the other. According to the Commonwealth’s Office for Women (OFW), domestic violence can be exhibited in many forms, including physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation or threats of violence. Domestic violence occurs in all geographic areas of Australia and in all socio-economic and cultural groups, although domestic violence is a more significant problem for certain groups, such as regional and rural Australia and Indigenous communities.
In most instances, domestic violence occurs between two people that are involved in a relationship. There are many different types of treatments available for individuals that seek counselling services for domestic violence. Examples of these treatments include Person-centred , or cognitive- behavioural approaches , or even simple support services. If you are a victim of violence, it is important to seek out services from individuals that have an expertise on the subject. By doing so, you may be protecting yourself from potentially life-threatening injuries and/or circumstances. Throughout this guide, you will learn many important facts about domestic violence counselling services.
What is Domestic Violence?
Many individuals mistakenly believe that domestic violence occurs when a partner physically hurts them in one manner or another. While this is considered to be domestic violence, it is only one aspect of it. When an individual attends domestic violence counselling, they will learn that this form of violence involves a particular behaviour pattern of a partner that is attempting to gain power and/or control over the individual that they are involved with. In some instances, the behaviours engaged in are to maintain a level of power or control over the individual that they feel they already have a certain sense of authority over. The behaviour that is considered to be abusive could be physical abuse, emotional forms of abuse, sexual forms of abuse, psychological and even economic based. Domestic violence counselling services educate victims on the fact that if they feel any of the following, they are being abused:
- • Manipulated
- • Frightened
- • Intimated
- • Terrorised
- • Hurt
- • Humiliated
- • Embarrassed
- • Injured
- • Anxious
- • Depressed
- • Suicidal
The Cycle of Domestic Violence
When an individual elects to participate in domestic violence counselling services, they will learn many details about the cycle of domestic violence. Below, you will find the different components of the cycle, as well as a short description of each:
- 1. The first component of the cycle is "Tension Building". This usually involves the abuser becoming angry, complications in communication, and high levels of tension.
- 2. The second component that a participant of domestic violence counselling will learn about is referred to as the "Incident". This basically refers to the type of abuse that occurred. Examples may be a physical hit, sexual abuse, or withholding money from the partner.
- 3. The third component of the cycle of domestic violence is identified as "Making-Up". This usually involves the abuser apologizing, placing blame on the victim or denying that they abused the individual in any manner.
- 4. In the "Calm" phase of a relationship experiencing domestic violence, the abuse may not be occurring. In addition to this, the individual engaging in abusive acts may act as if nothing negative has occurred.
Individuals that elect to become involved in domestic violence counselling learn that they are consistently in the cycle of domestic violence. They are equipped with the knowledge to recognise abuse and are instructed on how to productively handle this type of abuse. In most instances, they are also provided with tools and resources that will allow them to effectively handle the abuse that they are experiencing and to refrain from relationships that could involve this type of abuse in the future. Domestic violence counselling not only educates victims about that which they are experiencing, but it also protects the lives of the victims.
