The short answer is Yes, emotional and psychological abuse are included under Queensland’s domestic violence laws. The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) specifically defines domestic violence to include behaviour that is “emotionally or psychologically abusive” (section 8(2)(b)). This covers actions like intimidation, harassment, verbal abuse, manipulation, and isolating a person from friends and family (Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), s 8).
Emotional and Psychological Abuse in Domestic Violence: What it means and how to recognize it?
Domestic violence isn’t always physical. Emotional and psychological abuse are also serious forms of domestic violence, but they often go unnoticed or unaddressed. Many people feel helpless when facing this kind of abuse, unsure if it “counts” or what they can do about it. The first step is learning to recognize the more subtle, non-physical ways someone can be abusive. These behaviors can include:
Gaslighting
Gas lighting is a harmful form emotional and psychological abuse that involves intentional deception intended to dominate and control another person. An example of gaslighting is ‘person A’ telling ‘person B’ that “they are unstable, a risk to the child’s safety, that their behavior is impacting the family in circumstances where none of those allegations are true”.
Humiliation
Repeated derogatory taunts, to undermine confidence or cause reputational damage.
Example: Threatening to disclose a person’s deeply personal information, or images of them, to the person’s friends or family without the person’s consent.
Isolation from Friends and Family
The abuser exercises control by preventing the victim from making or keeping connections with the person’s family, friends or culture. Isolation is a form of control, it keeps a person weak and dependent, which is the goal.
Stalking and Surveillance
Stalking and surveillance can have devastating impacts on a person’s mental health. The abuser may use stalking and surveillance to engender fear and control the victim by:-
- following a person when the person is out in public, including by vehicle or on foot
- remaining outside a person’s residence or place of work
- repeatedly contacting a person by telephone, SMS message, email or social networking site without the person’s consent
Use of Fear
Threatening repercussions if you don’t comply are a way to intimidate and threaten control another person.
What Are Your Options?
If you are experiencing any of these acts of domestic violence you will feel confused, helpless and fatigued (these are symptoms on a person that has had their free will overtaken by another) and you will need assistance to stand up to it. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of Family Lawyers specialise in all areas of Family Law.
Over the past 20 years we have assisted hundreds, if not thousands of clients with all sorts of Family Law matters. Ensuring people are protected, children are looked after, and people get the best possible outcome in property settlement matters.
