Family violence is when someone uses coercion, power, fear, or intimidation to control someone they are in a close, intimate, or household relationship with. 

• It can be physical, sexual, psychological, or economic.

• It usually, but not always, happens in the home (not in a public place), therefore it is hidden.

• The coercion, control, and other abuse tactics are often subtle and difficult for victims to explain to others.

• These tactics adversely impact every aspect of victims’ (and their children’s) lives, including their health, their dignity, and their opportunities to build safe, viable, and fulfilling lives.

• The majority of perpetrators are men, and the majority of victims are women and gender minorities.

• Disabled women, rainbow/takatāpui (especially people who are bisexual and transgender) wāhine Māori, and young women are the most likely to be subjected to family violence.