How can you help?

How can you help

Witnessing or becoming aware of someone experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) can leave us feeling helpless and unsure of what action we can take to help.

It is important to understand that before you consider any action or provide any support that your safety is protected.

There are different ways to support, depending on whether you are witnessing violence or have learned of someone that is experiencing violence.

The links below will provide you with some practical steps to assist you in both scenarios:

Bystander intervention

Bystander Intervention

Bystanders are anybody who become aware of a behaviour, or situation where domestic and family violence has the potential to occur, is occurring or has occurred.

Types of bystander action:

  • Intervention - to stop an incident of violence that is occurring, by calling the police, reporting the incident to a security or authority figure (eg. teacher in a school, manager at location or workplace)
  • Tertiary prevention – supporting a victim or confronting a user of violence or following up with them after having witnessed an incident and assisting them to contact appropriate support services.
  • Secondary prevention – recognising or addressing a situation where there is a risk of violence occurring, such as keeping an eye out for the safety of a friend, peer or family member and being aware of action in response to what is happening.
  • Primary prevention - strengthening the conditions that work against violence occurring, by promoting gender and challenging sexist, discriminatory, violence-supportive attitudes and behaviours in your peer groups, workplace, home, or other social environments.

Learn More

I know someone experiencing DFV

I know someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence

I know someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence

  • Listen openly and allow the person to identify if any action is to be taken
  • Provide the person with information on support services they can access
  • Support the person with their own choices, and understand that change or action may not be immediate
  • Consider your own safety in any actions that are to be taken

Resources

Learn More

I witnessed a DFV incident

Domestic Violence incident

I have witnessed a domestic and family violence incident

Call 000

  • If it is happening now
  • If a life is threatened
  • If the event is time critical

Is there no immediate danger?

  • Call 131 444 to report a non-urgent police matter

You can also make a non-urgent police report of DFV by submitting an online form.

Assess the situation:

  • Do you feel safe to step in now or later?
  • Is there a risk of escalation?

Bystander intervention is NOT putting yourself or others in danger or in the way of potential harm.

Possible constructive action

  • Say something to the person using violence to diffuse the situation
  • Show the person using violence that you are there/watching
  • Say something appropriate (about what you are observing) to the people beside you (loud enough to be heard)

Learn More

I know someone who uses violence in a relationship

Violence in relationship

Do you, or someone you know, use violence in relationships?

The ‘Choose to Change’ tool describes a four-step process to help men develop strong, safe support networks to help them interrupt their violence and increase safety for other family members.

Learn more

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