Domestic violence and pregnancy

Contents

• Resources
• More information

Domestic violence is the most common form of assault. Women are most at risk of violence in their own home. Physical violence and sexual violence from your partner is against the law. Emotional abuse can be as harmful as physical abuse.

Domestic violence may first start during pregnancy or may get worse during pregnancy. It has been estimated that about one third of pregnant women are affected by domestic violence.

Your safety and the safety of your unborn child and any other children are very important.

If you are being abused, it's really important to get some help.

Violence is any behaviour that causes physical, sexual or emotional harm or causes a person to live in fear.

• Physical violence is when someone tries to hurt you, your children or pets. They may hit, kick, push, choke, burn, shake you or throw things at you.
• Emotional violence is any behaviour aimed at frightening you or stripping you of your self esteem and confidence.
• Verbal violence is when you are often called names, insulted or told you deserve abuse.
• Sexual violence includes any sexual behaviour that is forced on you without you giving your consent freely.
• Financial violence is when the money given to you is not enough and you are blamed for not making ends meet, or when you have to ask for money all the time, or you get no money at all.
• Social abuse or violence is when your partner isolates you from, or puts barriers in your way to access your friends and family, or possibly the police and health providers like hospitals and GPs.
• Some people use abuse or violence as a way of getting what they want.

Domestic violence happens in all kinds of families from all backgrounds.

Domestic Violence cycle

Resources

South Australia

You can get more information and help from any of the services listed here. They will all help you confidentially.

• Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway
  A service for women, providing professional counselling, referrals, links to safe accommodation, and information about legal, housing, police and financial issues.
  Ph: 1800 800 089 (24 hours)
  (Some of the information in this topic comes from a pamphlet published by this service.) 
  https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/emergency-shelter-and-homelessness/homelessness-service-providers/domestic-violence-and-aboriginal-family-violence-gateway  
• Regional Domestic Violence services - offering support to women:
  • Eastern Adelaide DV Service 8365 5033
  • Western Adelaide DV Service 8268 7700
  • Northern Adelaide DV Service 8255 3622
  • Southern Adelaide DV Service 8382 0066
    
• Women's Information Service
  08 8303 0590, or for country callers 1800 188 158
  info@wis.sa.gov.au
  http://www.wis.sa.gov.au/
• Women's Health Service 
  http://www.whs.sa.gov.au/index.php 
• Homelessness Gateway
  Telephone services for families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
  1800 003 308  
• Nunkuwarrin Yunti, for Aboriginal women and men
  Ph 8406 1600 
  http://www.nunku.org.au/
  Nunga Miminis Shelter,
  9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday 8223 2200
• Migrant Women's Support Service
  Ph 8346 9417 
  http://www.migrantwomensservices.com.au/ 
• Police
  000 in an emergency, or 131 444
  

More information

Parenting SA  

• Family violence  http://www.parenting.sa.gov.au/pegs/peg66.pdf 

Raising Children Network   Raising Children website is produced with the help of an extensive Australian network including the Australian Government.
http://raisingchildren.net.au/  

• Men - anger and violence in pregnancy 

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence)
http://cope.org.au/ 

• Abuse or family violence in pregnancy

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see your doctor or midwife.