Domestic and family violence
Note: This is a sociological definition only.
Domestic and family violence can take many forms and includes:
- sexual violence (including sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and sexual harassment)
- psychological and emotional abuse
- intimidation or harassment
- physical violence
- stalking
- social abuse
- financial abuse
- family violence
Some people, particularly Indigenous Australians, prefer to use the term ‘family violence’, as this term encompasses the diversity of abuse that may occur, and recognises other victims of abuse within the extended family.
Partner
Two people (either of the same or opposite sex) who live together in an intimate relationship or who have a child/ren together.
Former partner
Two people (either of the same or opposite sex) no longer in an intimate relationship, who have either lived together before or have a child/ren together.
Client
Any person accessing Legal Aid Queensland’s services. If Legal Aid Queensland is not acting, the client refers to the people involved in the dispute.
Indigenous Australian
Anyone who identifi es as an Aborigine or Torres Strait Islander.
People from a non-English-speaking background
Any person from a diverse cultural background or a non-English-speaking country