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What Is Domestic Abuse?

Elderly Woman

Welcome to our page about domestic abuse.  We hope that you find it informative. If you'd like any further information, please get in touch. 

Signs of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is any form of abuse that happens in an intimate, personal or family relationship where one person bullies, harms or controls another. Domestic abuse isn't always physical. It's often a pattern of behaviour that's used by the perpetrator to punish, frighten or gain control over the victim and make them dependent on their abuser, this is know as coercive control. There's no excuse for domestic abuse, ever. If you're being abused, please contact us, we're here to help. 

Domestic abuse takes many forms and can include:

Portrait by the Window

  • coercive and controlling behaviour

  • physical abuse

  • sexual abuse

  • emotional and psychological abuse

  • financial and economic abuse

  • stalking 

  • harassment 

  • online or digital abuse

  • 'honour' based abuse

  • forced marriage

Domestic abuse can happen to:

  • intimate partners

  • ex-partners

  • civil partners

  • family members including half and step relatives

  • people who share responsibility for a child 

  • people who are dating including teens

  • parents/carers - from children and adolescents

Anybody can experience domestic abuse regardless of:

Quality Time

  • age

  • disability

  • sex

  • sexual orientation

  • gender identity

  • race

  • religion or belief

Statutory Definition of Domestic Abuse 

​​The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, set out the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse for England and Wales. It says the victim and the perpetrator must be aged 16 or over and 'personally connected' e.g. partner, ex partner or family member. Behaviour is abusive if it consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse or psychological/emotional abuse.

Domestic Abuse Touches All Our Lives

Domestic abuse is a result of gender inequality and is rooted in power and control. It can affect anyone at any time. Domestic abuse is a choice that the abuser makes and people who are experiencing any form of violence or abuse are not to blame. If you have to change your behaviour because you're scared of your partner, ex partner or family member you may be experiencing domestic abuse. If you're being abused its important to tell someone, remember, it's not your fault and you're not alone.​

Person centred support is available via phone, video call or pre-booked appointment. Please contact us on 01267 238410, Option 1 for Adult Support Services and Option 2 for our Children and Young People's Team.

Are you worried about a personal relationship? 

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP?
Domestic abuse isn't always violent but it's usually coercive and controlling. Sometimes people experiencing coercive control aren't even aware it's happening. 
 
Do any of the following apply to your relationship?
Does this person try to stop you from seeing your friends, family or sources of support?
Do they constantly text you, check up on you, follow you or turn up unexpectedly?
Do they constantly put you down, criticise you, call you names or humiliate you?
Do they show signs of excessive jealousy or constantly accuse you of cheating? 
Do they monitor your phone calls, texts or email accounts.
Have they ever destroyed any of your belongings?
Have they ever physically hurt you or threatened to hurt you, or hurt your children or pets?
Do they control your money, the family income or take out debts in your name? 
Have they threatened to take your children away, or that you will lose your children if you leave?
Have they ever forced you to have sex with them or made you do something you're not comfortable with?
Have they ever tried to stop you from leaving the house?
Do you walk on eggshells to avoid conflict or stop their anger from getting worse?
These can all be signs of domestic abuse and coercive control

This video gives examples of what coercive control is 

Types of Domestic Abuse

To find out more about the different forms of domestic abuse, click on the links below

Physical Abuse

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