Domestic Abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members.
It is rarely a one-off event and tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time. It is always about having power and control over the survivor.
Domestic abuse is not always physical. It may be psychological and emotional, sexual, financial, isolation or physical. Technology is now frequently used by perpetrators to monitor and control their partner, ex-partner or family member.
It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, disability, religious belief, ethnic group, class, income level or lifestyle. It often happens to those you would least expect.
Domestic abuse can be experienced by women and men. However, in the vast majority of cases, it is experienced by women and perpetrated by men.
It is not easy to accept that someone you love can be abusive towards you. It is easy to think it is because of something you have done. You are not to blame. We all have the right to live life free from abuse.
Recognising domestic abuse
Abuse can take many forms but often includes
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controlling behaviour
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coercive behaviour
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psychological
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physical
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sexual
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economic
- spiritual
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emotional
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so-called honour based
See below for more information about coercive control, emotional, physical and economic abuse.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour (CCB)
Controlling behaviour is at the centre of all domestic abuse whether it is physical or emotional. Controlling behaviour is where a current or ex-partner or family member controls your life to make you dependant, or subordinate to them. They do this by isolating you from your support network including your family, friends, money and work. This prevents you from having what you need to be resist and escape.
Coercive behaviour is where violence, intimidation, threats and humiliation is used to harm, punish and frighten. This includes so called ‘honour’ based abuse such as forced marriage and female genital mutation and is not limited to one gender or ethnic group.
You are not alone
More than 1 in 4 women and around 1 in 6 men have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16
On average, 2 women a week are killed in England and Wales by their partners or ex partners
More than 15 women a week attempt suicide as a result of the domestic abuse they are suffering
On average, victims at high risk of serious harm live with domestic abuse for 2-3 years before getting help
