What counts as domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can be a one-off incident or a developing pattern of harmful behaviour. It includes:

• Psychological, mental and emotional abuse • Verbal abuse • Physical abuse • Coercive control • Sexual abuse • Financial abuse • Harassment and stalking • Online or digital abuse

Coercive control is a recent addition to domestic abuse law. It includes:

• Degrading behaviour: putting you down, telling you you’re worthless or calling you names • Isolating you from your family and friends • Jealous and controlling behaviour, including monitoring your movements and activities • A pattern of intimidation: threatening to rape, beat or kill you (or your child). Or threatening to harm or kill themselves Damaging your property or household goods Controlling your money: how much you have and how you spend it Threatening to report you to the police, other authorities or to publish information about you Forcing you to take part in criminal activity or child abuse.

Other kinds of domestic abuse

Domestic abuse also includes forms of family violence such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so called “honour crimes”, which may have multiple perpetrators.

Who can be affected by domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is more common than you think. It predominantly happens to women and is linked to the inequality between men and women in society. However children, young people, men and the elderly can also be victims of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse affects people of all ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, sexualities, classes, races and religions. Victims that face other forms of oppression may face further barriers to disclosing abuse and finding help.

In most cases, domestic abuse is committed by an intimate partner or ex-partner, but may also be committed by a family member. A child may be abused by their parent or an adult may be abused by their child.