What is Domestic Abuse?

 

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse.  It doesn’t matter about your age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity because domestic abuse or violence can affect anyone. The majority of victims of domestic abuse are women but it happens to men too.

 

Everyone has arguments and may disagree with their partners, family members and others close to them from time to time.  Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s or family member's reaction is being abused. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time.

 

Remember!  Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person who is experiencing it.

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You can view the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act here.

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Domestic abuse is described as the behaviour of one person towards another person and aged 16 years or older.  This can be anyone who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of sexuality or gender. 

 

Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:

 

(a) physical or sexual abuse;

(b) violent or threatening behaviour;

(c) controlling or coercive behaviour;

(d) economic abuse;

(e) psychological, emotional or other abuse;

 

and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a series of incidents.

 

Children are also considered victims of domestic abuse.