Word list

This list explains what the bold words in this document mean.
A legal document that shows a map of Australia.

Australian citizen

An Australian citizen is someone who belongs to Australia under the law.
A calendar and an airplane.

Australian visa

An Australian visa is a document that says you can visit Australia for a certain amount of time.

A bible and a hand showing 'stop'.

Cultural and spiritual abuse

Cultural and spiritual abuse is when someone:

  • stops you from taking part in your culture or religion
  • treats you badly because of what you believe in.
A person being held in someone's hands. Above them is a safety icon.

Culturally safe

When something is culturally safe, people feel:

  • respected and heard
  • safe to be who they are.
A person standing over someone who looks upset and pointing at them.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is when someone:

  • says things to make you feel scared or bad about yourself
  • makes you feel confused about what has happened to you
  • controls what you do.
A hand reaching out to grab money.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse is when someone:

  • takes your money when you don’t want them to
  • controls how you spend your money.
A person thinking. Above them is an image of them in a thought bubble.

Gender

Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

You might think of yourself as a man or woman or something different.

You can choose the words that are right for you.
2 people together. One person has their arm around the other person. Above them is a love heart.

Partner

A partner is someone you have a romantic relationship with.

For example, a boyfriend or girlfriend.
A house and a map of Australia.

Permanent resident

You are a permanent resident of Australia when you are allowed to live in Australia but are not a citizen.

A fist punching something.

Physical violence

Physical violence is when someone hurts your body.
A high risk icon.

Risk assessment

A risk assessment is a way to find out what you can do to stay safe.
A document with a safety icon on it.

Safety plan

A safety plan is a plan of actions to help keep you safe.
A person touching someone who looks upset.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is when someone:

  • makes you do sexual things you don’t want to do
  • does something sexual to you that you don’t want them to do.
2 people with their arms around each other.

Sexuality

Your sexuality is about the genders you are attracted to.
A person looking upset. Behind them is a person with their arms crossed and a speech bubble. Inside the speech bubble are different symbols to show they are saying something rude.

Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse is when someone:

  • shouts or says mean things
  • calls you names
  • says they will hurt you.
2 speech bubbles. One speech bubble has a fist inside it. The other speech bubble has a sad face inside it.

Violence

Violence is when someone:

  • hurts you
  • scares you
  • controls you.