Domestic violence 'is more than just physical violence'

Family Violence Advocate Rebecca Poulson says domestic violence is not just physical, but can be emotional, sexual, financial, or even spiritual.

New statistics released this week by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show an alarming increase in domestic violence related assaults across Australia.

Domestic violence has increased by as much as 50 per cent in some parts of Sydney and in Australia one woman a week is murdered by a former partner.

Ms Poulson became an advocate for those suffering domestic violence after her father, niece and nephew were murdered by her brother in law.

She highlighted coercive control as a serious but overlooked aspect of domestic violence which involves “a pattern of intimidation or domination” resulting in the victim being stripped “of their sense of self-worth”.

She highlighted the changing “police culture” and “media reporting” as positive inroads in this area that have given people “more courage and confidence to come forward”.

Image: Getty

msn,national,yt,fb,6139253272001,