What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is any behaviour used to control, threaten, frighten or harm another person.
It can happen between partners, ex-partners, family members or carers. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or background.
Domestic abuse is often a pattern of behaviour that happens over time. It is not always physical violence.
Types of domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can include:
- coercive or controlling behaviour
- emotional abuse
- psychological abuse
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- financial abuse
- economic abuse
- harassment
- stalking
- online or digital abuse
Recognising domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can take many forms. Some signs can be difficult to recognise, especially if they happen over a long period of time.
You may be experiencing domestic abuse if someone:
- regularly puts you down or calls you names
- shouts at you or threatens you
- makes you feel afraid
- controls where you go or who you see
- stops you seeing friends or family
- checks your phone, emails or social media
- follows you or keeps checking up on you
- controls your money or spending
- takes your money without permission
- stops you working or studying
- damages your belongings
- blames you for their behaviour
- threatens to harm you, your children, other family members or pets
- threatens to harm themselves to control you
- pressures or forces you into sexual activity
- physically hurts you
Coercive and controlling behaviour
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour used to make someone dependent, isolated or afraid.
This can include:
- controlling your daily activities
- deciding who you can talk to
- monitoring your movements
- taking away your independence
- making threats to control your choices
- using fear, intimidation or humiliation
Emotional and psychological abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse can affect your confidence and wellbeing.
Examples include:
- constant criticism
- humiliation or insults
- making you feel worthless
- blaming you for problems
- making you doubt yourself
- manipulating or controlling your decisions
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is any act that causes physical harm.
This can include:
- hitting
- slapping
- punching
- kicking
- pushing
- biting
- pulling hair
- burning
- strangulation
- restraining someone against their will
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity that happens without consent.
This can include:
- unwanted sexual contact
- pressure to have sex
- threats to force sexual activity
- forcing someone to take part in sexual acts
- forcing someone to view sexual images or videos
Financial and economic abuse
Financial abuse is when someone controls or misuses another person's money or finances.
This can include:
- taking money without permission
- controlling access to bank accounts
- preventing someone from working
- creating debt in another person's name
- refusing access to essential money for food, bills or clothing
Online and digital abuse
Online abuse uses technology to control, monitor or threaten someone.
This can include:
- checking messages, emails or social media accounts
- tracking someone's location
- sending threatening messages
- sharing private information without permission
- monitoring online activity
If you are worried about domestic abuse
If any of these behaviours are happening to you or someone you know, support is available.
You do not have to cope on your own. Domestic abuse is never your fault.