What is Domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive behaviour in any relationship that is used by one partner or family member to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner or family member and is defined within the Domestic Abuse Act of 2021.
Domestic abuse does not always involve physical violence. Sometimes victims may not recognise that they are experiencing abuse. We understand that emotional and financial abuse can be just as harmful as physical violence.
Types of domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can take many different forms:
- Psychological abuse involves making someone question their own thinking or understanding of situations or impacting their mental health.
- Physical abuse involves hurting or harming someone else through actions such as hitting, slapping, or restricting their freedom of movement.
- Sexual abuse occurs when someone is forced or pressured into any sexual activity without their consent, including unwanted touching.
- Financial abuse happens when someone controls another person's spending, access to money, assets or finances.
- Emotional abuse includes non-physical behaviour that harms mental wellbeing, such as verbal abuse, intimidation, humiliation and excessive control.
Who can experience domestic abuse?
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. It occurs among people of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, disabilities, immigration status, religions, beliefs and socio-economic backgrounds. While domestic abuse predominantly affects women and girls, a significant number of victims are men.
What is controlling or coercive behaviour?
Controlling or coercive behaviour is a type of domestic abuse. Controlling or coercive behaviour can make a person feel isolated or dependant, by controlling their independence, access to money, social interactions or daily life. It is a pattern of threats, humiliation and intimidation, designed to frighten, harm and control a victim.
Examples of controlling or coercive behaviour include but are not limited to:
Isolation and Restriction
- Preventing or limiting contact with family, friends, or community
- Restricting access to transport, school, work, or language learning
- Depriving access to support services such as healthcare or specialist help.
Monitoring and Control
- Tracking time, online activity, or using spyware
- Using smart devices or social media to intimidate or upset
- Controlling daily life (e.g. where someone goes, who they see, what they wear, when they sleep)
- Withholding immigration documents such as passports or visas.
Economic Abuse
- Taking wages, benefits, or allowances
- Coerced debt or controlling spending, bank accounts, or benefit payments
- Blocking access to finances or essential needs
Psychological and Emotional Abuse
- Repeated insults, humiliation, or demeaning behaviour
- Enforcing rules or activities designed to degrade or dehumanise
- Threats to reveal personal information (such as sexual orientation, HIV status, or other private details)
- Reputational damage or claims of family "dishonour".
Threats and Violence
- Threatening to hurt or kill the victim, their children, or pets
- Physical intimidation or assault, including criminal damage
- Sexual assault or threats of sexual assault
- Reproductive coercion (e.g. forced pregnancy, denial of contraception or abortion).
Exploitation and Manipulation
- Forcing involvement in criminal activity to create self-blame and prevent disclosure
- Using alcohol or drugs to create dependency or control access
- Threatening to place the victim in an institution against their will (e.g. care home, mental health facility).