The Government define domestic abuse and violence as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.”
Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) see domestic abuse as:
“Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship. The relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse may be committed in the home or elsewhere including online”.
Domestic abuse is common, but it is largely a hidden crime that tends to take place inside the home. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, religion or sexuality. Most commonly, domestic abuse is perpetrated by men against women, but men can also be victims of domestic abuse. It affects one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime, and it can happen in same sex relationships too.
Different types of domestic abuse
Psychological and emotional – This type of abuse includes non-physical actions, such as the use of words to manipulate, frighten, hurt, or confuse you. It also includes name calling and putting rules in place to control how you are to do things.
Physical – This can include pulling your hair, punching, slapping, kicking, biting and choking. It also covers controlling what you eat, hurting you with objects or weapons, stopping you from sleeping and harming your children.
Financial – This includes giving you money and forcing you to explain how you’ve spent it. It also covers withholding access to bank accounts, stopping you from working, taking out debt in your name or forcing you to take on debt for them.
Sexual – This type of abuse includes forced, coerced or unwanted sexual activity. It also covers withholding affection to ‘punish’ you.
Coercive control – Women’s Aid describes this type of abuse as ‘a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence’.
Online/digital – This includes monitoring your social media accounts, checking your messages, sending you abusive texts, demanding access to your devices and using technology to track your movements.
Other forms of abuse – Further types of domestic abuse include harassment, stalking, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and ‘honour-based’ abuse.
What causes domestic abuse?
Some people may blame domestic abuse on a variety of factors, such as alcohol or drugs. While these factors may make existing abuse worse or act as a catalyst, they do not cause domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is the result of the abuser’s desire for power and control. It is a matter of choice for perpetrators and is never the victim’s fault.
Do children experience domestic abuse?
An estimated 90% of children whose mothers are abused witness the abuse. They might hear shouting and hitting, or see their parent upset or injured. Often children are nearby when domestic abuse is taking place and, in some cases, they are also hurt by the abuser directly.
Domestic abuse can be very traumatic for children and young people; it can impact on their health, behaviour, education and the development of relationships. When a child witnesses domestic abuse, this is a form of child abuse.
What support is available?
Women’s Aid – Support for women and children.
Scottish Women’s Aid – Support for women and children.
Refuge – Support for women and children.
Man Kind – Support for male victims of domestic abuse.
Southall Black Sisters – Advice for Black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women.
SignHealth – Support and advice for those who are deaf.
Domestic abuse in pregnancy – www.nhs.uk.
Visit NHS or Gov.uk for further support options.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not able to speak and are calling on a mobile, press 55 to have your call transferred to the police.
Helplines:
National Domestic Violence Helpline (England) – Call 0808 2000 247 or use online chat.
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (Northern Ireland) – Call 0808 802 1414 or use online chat.
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (Scotland) – Call 0800 027 1234 or use online chat.
Live Fear Free (Wales) – Call 0808 80 10 800 or use online chat.
The Men’s Advice Line (UK-wide) for male domestic abuse survivors – Call 0808 801 0327 or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
The Mix, essential support for under 25s – Call 0808 808 4994 or use online chat.
National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – Call 0800 999 5428
Samaritans – Call 116 123 for free 24/7 for confidential emotional support.
Supporting an employee:
CIPD – Covering the role of the workplace.
Acas – Guidance for employers, including when staff are working from home.
Sources: www.gov.uk, womensaid.scot, www.shb.scot.nhs.uk, safelives.org.uk.
Download this information as a PDF.
This information was published October 2022.
