What is domestic abuse?

Domestic violence and abuse is the misuse of power and control usually but not always by one person over another within an intimate relationship.

It can begin at any time during a relationship, it is rarely a one-off event and often increases in frequency and severity over a period of time. It can take many forms not just physical violence but also sexual attacks, bullying, threats, mental and verbal abuse, humiliation, control and deprivation of movement and financial control.

Anyone can be subjected to domestic violence and abuse. It is most often experienced by women but men can also be affected, as well as partners in same sex relationships and in other close family relationships.

There is no single identifiable ‘type’ of perpetrator. Domestic abuse cuts across all boundaries of social group, class, age, race, religion, culture, disability, sexuality, and lifestyle.

Children are always affected by living with domestic violence and abuse although their response to it will vary and may show in emotional disturbance, poor school attendance and achievement,