COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Recognising Signs & Indicators of Domestic Violence course. This program has been carefully developed to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to identify the often-hidden warning signs of domestic and family violence. By building awareness of physical, behavioural, social, and cultural indicators, this course equips participants to play an essential role in early intervention and in safeguarding the wellbeing of victims and their families. It recognises the profound impact domestic violence has on individuals, children, workplaces, and communities across Australia, and highlights why timely recognition and response are critical.

Understanding what domestic and family violence is forms the foundation for effective recognition. This course begins by introducing the definitions used within the Australian context, clarifying the distinctions between domestic violence and family violence while acknowledging the overlap in many cases. It explains the prevalence of these forms of violence in Australian society and their far-reaching effects on physical health, emotional wellbeing, and social participation. Emphasis is placed on why early recognition by professionals, colleagues, and community members can interrupt cycles of harm and save lives.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse. This section provides an overview of the multiple forms of abuse—physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial—emphasising how each may manifest differently in victims’ daily lives. It outlines the less visible but equally damaging tactics such as coercion, control, and manipulation, which are often overlooked. Participants will learn to identify patterns that may indicate abuse even in the absence of obvious physical injuries.

The course explores the well-documented cycle of violence, which includes stages of tension-building, violent incident, reconciliation, and calm. Participants will understand how this cycle traps victims in patterns that make disclosure or leaving unsafe situations extremely difficult. The course also highlights the impact of this cycle on children and family members, reinforcing the intergenerational consequences of ongoing domestic violence exposure.

Power and control dynamics lie at the heart of domestic and family violence. This section introduces the “Power and Control Wheel” as a model for understanding the tactics perpetrators use to dominate victims. It distinguishes normal relationship conflict from abusive behaviours and explores how coercive control undermines independence and creates dependency. By recognising these dynamics, participants can better interpret behaviours that may otherwise appear subtle or explainable.

Visible and non-visible indicators are critical to recognition. This course examines physical signs of abuse such as recurring or unexplained injuries, as well as behavioural and emotional indicators including withdrawal, fear, sudden changes in confidence, or substance misuse as a coping mechanism. It extends to social and lifestyle signs such as restricted access to money, transport, or communication, as well as workplace or medical settings where patterns of absences, stress, or unexplained health issues may point to underlying violence.

The course also addresses verbal and communication clues, where victims may minimise their experiences, provide inconsistent explanations, or disclose concerns indirectly. Particular attention is given to the impact of domestic violence on children and young people, who may display aggression, withdrawal, developmental regression, or school refusal as secondary indicators of family violence.

Cultural and community considerations are vital to effective recognition. This section explores how cultural values, community dynamics, and systemic mistrust may create barriers to disclosure, particularly in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It stresses the importance of cultural safety and sensitivity in recognising indicators without imposing stereotypes or assumptions.

High-risk indicators such as escalating severity, threats of homicide or suicide, access to weapons, and stalking behaviours are also covered, ensuring participants can distinguish cases requiring urgent intervention. Special attention is given to coercive control behaviours—such as surveillance, isolation, or gaslighting—that may not involve physical harm but are deeply damaging and high-risk.

Professional responsibilities are a central focus of this course. Participants will learn about duty of care, confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and the ethical requirements for documenting and escalating concerns appropriately. The course provides guidance on initial responses following recognition, including trauma-informed communication, referral pathways to specialist services, and ensuring immediate safety planning for victims and their children.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped to recognise the full range of signs and indicators of domestic and family violence, understand the cultural and systemic factors that affect recognition, and fulfil your professional responsibilities in responding appropriately. Your ability to identify and act on these warning signs is essential to breaking cycles of abuse, supporting victim safety, and contributing to healthier and safer Australian communities.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Domestic and Family Violence

• Defining domestic and family violence in the Australian context
• Key differences between domestic violence and family violence
• Prevalence and impact in Australian communities
• Why early recognition is critical

2. Types of Domestic Violence

• Physical violence and intimidation
• Emotional and psychological abuse
• Sexual violence and coercion
• Financial abuse and control

3. The Cycle of Violence

• Stages: tension-building, incident, reconciliation, calm
• How the cycle affects victims’ ability to seek help
• Recognising repeating patterns over time
• The impact on children and family members

4. Power and Control Dynamics

• The “Power and Control Wheel” model
• Tactics of coercive control
• Indicators of dependency and entrapment
• Distinguishing normal conflict from abuse

5. Physical Indicators of Domestic Violence

• Unexplained injuries, frequent medical visits
• Patterns of bruises, burns, or fractures
• Delayed treatment or inconsistent explanations
• Signs of chronic pain or stress-related illness

6. Behavioural and Emotional Indicators

• Withdrawal, fear, or anxiety around partner
• Sudden changes in mood, self-esteem, or confidence
• Avoidance of social contact or isolation
• Substance misuse as a coping mechanism

7. Social and Lifestyle Indicators

• Loss of employment or declining work performance
• Restricted access to money, transport, or communication
• Frequent cancellations of social or work commitments
• Signs of monitoring or controlling behaviour by partner

8. Verbal and Communication Clues

• Reluctance to speak openly in partner’s presence
• Inconsistent or rehearsed responses to questions
• Expressions of fear, shame, or minimising the abuse
• Disclosure of controlling behaviours

9. Impact on Children and Young People

• Behavioural changes: aggression, withdrawal, anxiety
• Developmental delays or regression
• School refusal or poor academic performance
• Signs of fear towards one parent

10. Cultural and Community Considerations

• Understanding cultural perspectives on family roles
• Recognising culturally specific forms of control
• Barriers to disclosure in CALD and Indigenous communities
• Importance of cultural safety in recognising indicators

11. Risk Factors and High-Risk Indicators

• Escalating frequency or severity of violence
• Threats of homicide, suicide, or harm to children
• Access to weapons by the perpetrator
• Patterns of stalking or obsessive behaviour

12. Indicators of Coercive Control

• Surveillance of communications and movements
• Isolation from friends, family, or services
• Control of clothing, food, or daily routines
• Gaslighting and manipulation of reality

13. Workplace Indicators of Domestic Violence

• Frequent absences or lateness
• Drop in work performance or concentration
• Signs of harassment or monitoring at work
• Disclosing abuse to colleagues or managers

14. Health and Medical Settings Indicators

• Frequent GP or emergency department visits
• Presentation with stress, anxiety, or depression
• Reluctance to be examined or to provide history
• Signs of sexual or reproductive coercion

15. Barriers to Disclosure and Recognition

• Fear of retaliation or losing children
• Shame, stigma, or cultural barriers
• Lack of awareness of available supports
• Distrust of systems or past negative experiences

16. Professional Responsibilities in Recognition

• Duty of care and ethical considerations
• Confidentiality vs. mandatory reporting obligations
• Documentation and record-keeping
• Role clarity: when to escalate or refer

17. Responding After Recognition

• Initial supportive responses to disclosure
• Using trauma-informed communication
• Referring to appropriate DV and crisis services
• Ensuring immediate safety and follow-up

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.