Domestic and family violence

Definition of domestic and family violence

A pattern of coercive tactics which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person in order to establish and maintain power and control over another person in a close relationship, or family or domestic situation. Domestic and family violence occurs across all social strata, cultures, and age groups. The incidence of domestic violence is not dependent on gender or sexual orientation but the majority of victims of such violence are women.

Inclusion at Charles Sturt

Charles Sturt recognises some of the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ people in domestic and family violence situations and the limitation of support avenues available. Our policy is inclusive of LGBTIQ people and their families. For a comprehensive coverage of these challenges and avenues for support, please see the following links:

• Domestic Violence Policy - Addressing Impacts on Work or Study
• Domestic Violence Procedure - Addressing Impact in the Workplace
• Another Closest - Domestic & Family Violence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer People (LGBTIQ)
• PID & IBM - LGBTI Domestic & Family Violence - A guide to best practice for workplace policy

Staff support

If you or a member of your immediate family are experiencing domestic and family violence, you can access up to fifteen (15) days of domestic violence leave per annum which can be used to access medical, legal and support services as necessary. Your supervisor may require you to furnish evidence to support any period of absence on family or domestic violence grounds exceeding three (3) days.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees and eligible family members can telephone the counselling service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please refer to the Employee Assistance Program.

Service Directory

1800RESPECT has a Domestic Violence Service Directory which can be searched by region or community group.

Daisy app

Daisy is an app developed by 1800RESPECT to connect people experiencing violence or abuse to services in their local area. Daisy can be downloaded free from iTunes or Google Play. Once the app is on your phone, you can use it to search for support services in your local area. Choose the type of service you would like (for example 'Legal services' or 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services') and select your state or territory to find services near you.

You can visit service websites from within the app, which means these sites won't show up in your browser history. This can help protect your privacy, especially if another person has access to your phone. Each listing includes information about opening times, how to get in touch and the services they offer.

Student support

If you are a student and require support, please contact the Liaison Officer (Equity) or a Student Counsellor.

DV-alert training

Charles Sturt has partnered with Lifeline to run a free two-hour interactive presentation to staff and students. This training is funded by the Department of Social Services.

At the end of the awareness session, attendees will:

• Identify the different signs and forms of abuse that constitute domestic and family violence
• Familiarise themselves with the Cycle of violence and Duluth wheels – power and control, equality and empowerment
• Reflect on and share what they can do if they know someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence
• Have an opportunity to network with other individuals
• Receive tools and references for domestic and family violence support and referral

To register your interest in attending the training across all campuses, please contact us.