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What Is Domestic Abuse?

The Home Office defines domestic abuse as 'any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality'.

All forms of domestic abuse whether psychological, economic, emotional, physical and / or sexual are the result of the perpetrator's abuse of power and exercise of control over family members or intimate partners.

How Common Is It?

Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off incident and should be seen as a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour, through which the abuser seeks power over their victim.  Research shows that the majority of domestic abuse is perpetrated by men against women, with one in four women being abused.  However, it is widely acknowledged that men can also be victims of domestic abuse, with one in six men being at risk.

Domestic abuse is very common and research estimates that it accounts for 15% of all violent incidents, with one incident every minute being reported to the Police.  Inexcusably, on average two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner (Source: Home Office - February 2009).

Domestic abuse still remains under reported in the UK by both men and women.

Who Are The Victims?

Domestic abuse can occur regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle.

Children are also victims of domestic abuse whether they witness it, or are directly abused themselves.

Domestic abuse is repetitive and can destroy lives.

Everyone has the right to live in a safe and secure environment.  If you are a victim of domestic abuse or know someone who is, there is help available.