Domestic Abuse: Would you recognise the signs?

Domestic abuse awareness week, Monday 21 - Friday 25 November

Domestic abuse awareness week

Monday 21 - Friday 25 November

This year Domestic Abuse Awareness Week campaign highlights five of the lesser known signs of domestic abuse to encourage those at risk – or their friends, family and colleagues - to notice the warning signs and seek help

Isolation and control; excessively jealous behaviour

Isolation and controlling behaviour from a partner are often early signs that a relationship is abusive or may become so.

Abusers will often try to separate the victim from friends and family and restrict activity outside the home especially if it doesn’t involve the partner. They may be very jealous, possessive and exert control over their partner. This can take many forms such as controlling household money, the clothes their partner wears or the people their partner is allowed to see.

For more information about the signs of domestic abuse please read:What is domestic abuse?

Cyber-stalking and stalking

One in five women and one in 10 men report being stalked at some point in their lives (British Crime Survey 2009/10) and stalking is predominantly committed by a former partner after a relationship has ended. However, with the growth of internet use and the popularity of social networking sites cyber-stalking has also increased in recent years.

It is important to protect yourself online for more advice read Protecting yourself online

Repeat victimisation and escalation of abuse

Abusive relationships often grow in frequency and severity, and sometimes the early incidents may not even be thought of as abuse.

Home Office research suggests that domestic abuse is rarely a seldom occurrence; 44% of people are victimised more than once and almost one in five (18%) are victimised three or more times.

To find out more about domestic abuse read What is domestic abuse?

Pregnancy and just after birth (new born and under 18 months)

Pregnancy and just after birth can be an extremely venerable time for a person experiencing domestic abuse. It is estimated, between four and nine women in every 100 are abused during pregnancy and abuse can often begin or escalate during this time.

The abuse can be emotional, financial or physical and can have an effect on the welfare of the victim and her baby.

For help and advice please read the NHS guide to pregnancy and domestic abuse

Animal cruelty

Family pets are often used as a way of controlling the abused - either hurt directly or threats are made to hurt them.

If people see animal cruelty taking place it is important to report these incidents as it could be a sign of something much worse.

For more information or to report an incident visit www.rspca.org.uk