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What is it?

Cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs can be used by one person to control another. When this happens often, it is known as cultural and spiritual abuse.

For example, one person may:

  • Stop someone from practicing their religion
  • Force someone to take part in a religion
  • Mock, manipulate and control another person because of their culture or beliefs.  

Disability can make it harder to cope with this type of abuse:

  • If you rely on the abusive person for your everyday support needs.
  • If you live somewhere run by a group that doesn’t share your beliefs.

If your disability affects talking and communication, you may struggle to express your beliefs and say whether you want to take part in a religious or cultural activity.

Everyone has the right to make decisions about their own beliefs and practices and how they are expressed in their daily life.

Some types of spiritual abuse are illegal in Australia.

We all have the right to our own beliefs. It is not okay for someone to force you to share their beliefs, or to mock the beliefs and practices that are important to you.

Where does it happen?

Cultural and spiritual abuse is not limited to any one religion or culture. It can happen:

  • In a religious group
  • In private homes and in group homes
  • From a family member, romantic partner, carer, supporter or anyone else who influences your life.  

Some hospitals, respite centres and residential care facilities are run by religious groups. They might have different beliefs to the people who live there. It can be hard to practice your own religious or cultural beliefs.

If someone forces you to take part in something religious or won't let you practice your religion, this is cultural and spiritual abuse.

What does cultural and spiritual abuse look like?

There are many different types of cultural and spiritual abuse.

For example, a person using cultural and spiritual abuse might:

  • Stop someone from dressing as required by their religion, like wearing a headscarf.
  • Tell someone they have to stay married, even if they want a divorce.
  • Stop someone from speaking the language they prefer.
  • Stop someone from going to church / mosque / synagogue / temple.
  • Force someone to convert to another religion.
  • Not respect the food rules of someone’s religion, like being a vegetarian.
  • Shame someone for breaking religious rules.
  • Prevent someone from sharing their religious beliefs with their children.

What to do after spiritual or cultural abuse

The first thing to do is to make sure you are safe. Look after your body and your emotions. Sometimes, a person who abuses you because of your beliefs will also use physical violence, like hitting, slapping, punching or kicking. If you are in danger, go somewhere safe. Seek medical attention if you need it.

Then, take a deep breath. We're sorry you've had to deal with this. We hope the situation gets better. We know that experiencing violence or abuse can be confusing, intimidating, and stressful. People may try to make you believe it is your fault. Sometimes, leaving the situation is hard.

Remember that you are never to blame for bad behaviour. What happened to you is not your fault.

Here is a list of things you could do if you’ve faced abuse because of your beliefs or culture. You should choose the options that are right for you.

  • Call 000 if you or anyone else is in immediate danger. If this makes you feel nervous or unsure, you can learn more about the process on the Neve page A guide to calling triple zero (000) (internal link).
  • Leave the situation. This can be a very positive step if you live with the abusive person. However, it is important to think things through and prepare. Learn how to safely leave a violent or abusive situation on the Neve page How to be safe when leaving an abusive relationship (internal link).
  • Stay and plan how to cope with the violence or abuse. You may not be ready to leave the situation. In that case, think about how you can be safer while you stay. Learn about safety planning in the Neve section on Becoming safer (internal link). People who have been abusive sometimes stop. However, it can also get worse over time. Abuse does not stop unless the person admits the harm they have done, wants to change their behaviour and takes action to change it. Change is unlikely if they keep blaming you or make excuses for themselves. Even if someone wants to change, it may take a long time.
  • Seek support from friends and family members. Tell the person you confide in what would and would not be helpful for you. For example, you might just want to talk. Or, you might want practical help. Let them know not to confront the person who has hurt you. It can make the abuse worse. They should focus on you and what you need to be safer and feel supported.
  • Keep records of the bad behaviour. If it is safe, save phone call logs, text messages, photos or other evidence. If you need help doing this, ask a trusted person to help you. If you decide to go to the police later, you will have evidence to show them.
  • Get legal help. You can use legal support to be safer, like restraining orders and protective orders. You can also get advice about whether something that happened to you is a crime. Learn about legal support options on the Neve page Accessing legal support and the courts  (internal link).
  • Develop more financial independence. This can help you leave when you are ready. You can learn about managing your money on the Neve page Help managing your money (internal link).
  • Report the abuse to authorities. You can call your local police. You can speak to a government organisation, like an Ombudsman or the Australian Human Rights Commission.
  • Call a helpline. Australia has many helplines that offer practical advice and support for people experiencing violence or abuse. You can find a list of numbers and resources on the Neve page Helpline directory (internal link).
  • Speak to a counsellor. If you have difficulties you can't manage alone, see a counsellor, therapist or psychologist. Learn about the different options on the Neve page Counselling and therapy (internal link).
  • Know your rights. Everyone has the right to live free from violence and abuse. Learn about your rights in the Neve section Our rights (internal link).
  • Look after yourself. Caring for yourself is important if you have experienced violence or abuse. You can learn how to be calm and more empowered on the Neve page Caring for yourself (internal link).
  • Talk to your service coordinator. This can help if the person who harmed you provides a service related to your disability, like physiotherapy, gardening, cleaning or anything else in your NDIS plan. Tell the service coordinator what happened, and what you’d like to happen next, including if you want your complaint to remain confidential. You might want to offer feedback about the inappropriate behaviour but still work with the person. Or, you might want a new person to provide the service for you.
  • Make a complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If the person who harmed you is an NDIS provider, you can complain to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Learn more on the NDIS Commission website (external link).

Having a disability can make it harder to escape violence and abuse. Limited mobility or social isolation might make it harder to get help. Moving out or getting away from the person who hurts you can seem impossible when money is in short supply. However, help is available.

Even if the person who hurt you is important to you, you can still get help. Many people are hurt by someone they know. It may be an intimate partner, a parent or carer, or someone else in authority, such as a health worker or service provider. You don't have to go to the police if you don't want to. Either way, support is available to keep you safe and help you recover.

1800 RESPECT

If you experience violence or abuse you can contact 1800 RESPECT for support and counselling.
Call 1800 737 732 or go to the 1800 RESPECT website to chat with someone online (external link).

‍To contact 1800RESPECT via SMS, text ‘HELLO’ or any greeting to 0458 737 732 to start the conversation.

Story

Harper lives with her parents, who support her with daily life. Harper's parents are Catholics, while Harper has no religious beliefs. Harper loves goth clothes. Her parents believe that this way of dressing is evil and wrong. Harper's parents refuse to dress her in the clothes of her choice, even though she is an adult. Harper's parents force her to live in line with their beliefs, although she does not share them. This is cultural and spiritual abuse.  

Becoming safer

This section of the website focuses on your safety. It has information to help you decide if a relationship is abusive. It shares tools to be safer in a violent situation. It talks about planning for a safer future, like if you leave violence behind. We also share tips to be safe online.

Find out more

Your rights: making choices and being safe

Australian law covers disability rights. It offers protection from violence, including violence that happens at home.

Find out more

Resources.

May 13, 2024

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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

You have rights - Easy Read

A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

|

Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

Your rights

A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

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SECCA

Online dating

Information about online dating.

Check resource

May 4, 2024

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1800 RESPECT

Escape bag checklist

If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.

Check resource

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Violence or abuse because of your beliefs or culture

Cultural and spiritual abuse occurs when one person often uses cultural and spiritual beliefs to shame, mock, criticise or control someone else. Here, we describe the signs of cultural and spiritual abuse. We explain what you can do to be safer.

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