Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender, religion, sexuality, or ethnicity. However, statistics show that most domestic abuse is carried out by men and experienced by women. Whilst domestic abuse can happen to anyone, some people can be more at risk - for instance, people who are dependent on others for care or financial needs, those with substance or alcohol dependence, or those with mental ill-health.
Domestic abuse: the facts might surprise you
So, what does domestic abuse look like? Well, domestic abuse can take many forms. It can be direct and overt, or it can also be more subtle and therefore less easy for individuals to identify. Here are some of the forms of domestic abuse explained:
845,734 domestic abuse crimes were recorded across England and Wales in the year to March 2021, an increase of 6% from the previous year
According to the Office for National Statistics: In the year ending March 2020, an estimated 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year (1.6 million women and 757,000 men)
Psychological abuse
18% of all crime recorded was due to domestic abuse in the year to March 2021
This can include name-calling, threats, manipulation, blaming you for the abuse, or ‘gas-lighting’ you.
Almost one in three women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime
Economic or financial abuse
16% of men are affected by domestic violence during their adult lifetimes
This can include controlling your access to money or resources. The perpetrator might take your wages, stop you from working, or put you in debt. Sexual abuse This may be physical and could include sexual assault. You might otherwise be manipulated or coerced into doing things of a sexual nature that you don’t want to do. Coercive control This is when an abuser uses a pattern of behaviour over time to exert power and control over your life, freedoms, and free will. Physical abuse This is not only hitting. They might physically restrain you or throw objects. They might pinch or shove you and claim it’s a ‘joke’. Technological abuse The perpetrator might send abusive texts, demand access to your devices, track you with spyware, or share images of you online.
33% of all domestic violence homicides happened on workplace grounds and 76% of those victims were women
Domestic abuse during Covid-19? Covid-19 has not caused domestic abuse, only abusers are responsible for their actions. The pandemic has, however, escalated abuse and closed access to safe spaces and support organisations. Survivors contacting services reported escalating abuse and having to live in lockdown with an abuser due to Covid-19. Individuals in lockdown with their abuser have been less able to get breathing space away from their situation. It has been harder to text or phone to get support from friends and family, and specialist support services and children caught in the middle of domestically abusive home situations have not had the same level of the respite school or nursery can offer, which is often a safe space to access support. Although lockdown restrictions have now been lifted, these issues still remain.