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General health information

Abuse by someone you know

Abuse by a partner, family member, carer, acquaintance or colleague can be physical, sexual, psychological, digital or financial. It is never your fault. You do not have to wait for visible injuries before asking for help. Think about safety first: choose a time and device on which you can safely look for information, speak to someone you trust or a care professional, and make a plan that fits your situation. Call Ambulance 912 for immediate danger to life.

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  • Abuse by someone you know may be physical, sexual, psychological, digital, financial or controlling. It may be a single incident, but often forms a pattern in which freedom and safety steadily diminish.
  • Abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it. Fear, dependency, love, children, money, accommodation, illness or threats may make seeking help or leaving very difficult.
  • Safety comes first. General advice such as 'just leave' can be dangerous; risk may actually rise during separation, when a plan is discovered or when the person causing harm loses control.
  • Strangulation, pressure on the neck, head injury, sexual violence and violence during pregnancy need medical assessment, even without an obvious bruise.
  • Call Ambulance 912 for immediate danger to life. For urgent medical help outside office hours, call HAP 9252; during the day, you can contact your own GP.

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Further reading

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Elder abuseElder abuse is physical, psychological, sexual or financial harm, neglect or restriction of freedom within a relationship of trust. The older person is never to blame; safety and voluntary, respectful help come first.
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Problems at homeProblems at home may involve arguments, control, threats, violence, neglect, addiction or being overwhelmed. Responsibility for violence never lies with the person experiencing it; safety, support accepted freely and an up-to-date local help plan come first.
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Suicidal thoughtsSuicidal thoughts can arise when pain, despair or problems seem unbearable. You do not have to carry this alone: tell someone you trust today and seek professional help. For immediate danger, call Ambulance 912; for urgent family-doctor care outside office hours, call HAP 9252.