The Area News with Linking Communities Network (LCN) will be detailing what to look out for and where to get help as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"If we can all change the conversation, we can change the culture that allows family violence and violence against women to happen in the first place," LCN deputy CEO Kirrilly Salvestro says.
Image-based abuse
Image-based abuse happens when an intimate image or video is shared without the consent of the person pictured. Sometimes called 'revenge porn', 'intimate image abuse' or 'image-based sexual abuse', includes images or videos that have been digitally altered.
An image showing someone's genital or anal area - whether bare or covered, a person's breasts, private activity like undressing, using the bathroom, shower, bath or engaged in sexual activity, a person without religious or cultural attire they would normally wear in public.
Image-based abuse includes the threat of an intimate image being shared. In many cases it is not about 'revenge' or 'porn'. It can happen for many reasons and can include many kinds of images and video.
If you have experienced this abuse, it's important to remember it is not your fault and you are not alone.
Spiritual abuse
Spiritual abuse happens when someone uses spiritual or religious beliefs to hurt, scare or control you.
It can involve someone forcing you or your children to participate in spiritual or religious practices when you don't want to.
It can also involve someone refusing to allow you to participate in spiritual or religious practices that are important to you.
If this kind of abuse is being used to scare and control you it may be domestic or family violence.
It can happen in an institutional environment, such as a religious, learning or care environment. It can also happen in any relationship.
READ MORE
Spiritual abuse might include forcing you to raise your children according to spiritual beliefs you don't agree with, forcing you to participate in religious practices that you don't want to, using religious leaders or teachings to force you to stay in a relationship or marriage, excuse violence and abuse, blame you for violence and abuse, encourage you to accept violence and abuse.
Stop you or your children from getting medical care, force or pressure you into a marriage you don't want, shaming or insulting your religious or spiritual beliefs.
Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line Domestic and Family Violence counselling, information and referrals, including emergency accommodation 24/7 call 1800 656 463.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.