What is domestic abuse?

The term “domestic abuse” covers a range of abusive behaviour that may occur within any close relationship. It occurs across society regardless of age, gender, disability, education and ethnicity. One in four women will be affected by domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Although this predominantly affects women, men can also be victims.

Domestic abuse can be:

Physical abuse

Being pushed, hit, kicked, attacked, or threatened with an object.

Sexual abuse

Being raped, sexually assaulted, forced to take part in degrading or unwanted sexual activities.

Emotional abuse

Being verbally abused, criticised, degraded, or controlled.

There are many different ways to experience domestic abuse.

Does your husband / wife, partner, or ex-partner:

• call you names and put you down?
• smash furniture, destroy your belongings?
• blame you for their violence?
• control your money?
• threaten to hurt you?
• stop you from seeing family and friends?
• force you to have sex?
• ridicule your beliefs?
• use jealousy to control you?
• play mind games?
• humiliate you?
• attack you?

It is not easy to seek help, you may feel:

• alone
• frightened
• trapped
• unable to make decisions
• ashamed
• guilty

Are you experiencing domestic abuse?

We can help:

Someone to talk to, who listens and understands you.

Give you information:

Home security, legal advice, benefits, places of safety and alternative housing.

Offer support:

Whether you have children. Whether you want to leave your partner or not.

Contact us

Our domestic abuse outreach workers are available to offer support, advice and practical assistance to the victims of domestic abuse.

Children’s workers are also available to work with children who are in refuge or homeless accommodation due to domestic abuse.

Tel: 01771 638200 or 01358 725756 or 01330 824991

List of other organisations that can help you