The experience of family violence in childhood can have profound negative impacts that resonate across the lifespan and even intergenerational impacts (Courtois, Ford, & Cloitre, M, 2009).
The vast majority of family violence is committed by men against women (ABS, 2012). Children are very often present during family violence incidents (ABS, 2012). Family violence is recognised as a form of child abuse according to the Children Young Persons and their Families Act 1997:
“Children are exposed to family violence if they: see or hear an incident of family violence; help to clean up after an incident of family violence; or comfort or assist a family member after an incident of family violence”