Domestic abuse.
It isn’t always visible.

Abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age background or relationship status. Understanding it is the first step towards changing it.

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“any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.”

Coercive
control

Helping professionals understand domestic abuse through lived experience.

Emotional & psychological abuse

Undermining your confidence, self-worth and sense of reality.

Physical abuse

Any use or violence of force that causes pain, injury or fear.

Sexual abuse

Any sexual act or behaviour that you do not consent to.

Financial abuse

Controlling finances, withholding money or creating financial dependence.

Gaslighting

Manipulating you into doubting your memory, perceptions and sanity.

Stalking

Repeated unwanted attention, surveillance or following that causes fear.

Trauma bonding

Emotional attachment formed in cycles of abuse. manipulation and reconciliation.

Woman, hands and therapist writing on clipboard in consultation for mental health, psychology or healthcare. Hand of female person or psychologist consulting patient with anxiety or stress in therapy

Could this be happening to you?

Abuse isn’t always physical. You might be experiencing domestic abuse if your partner, ex-partner or family member:

Read the signs

Are you being controlled?
Someone may control where you go, who you see, what you wear, how you spend money or when you can use your phone.

Are you being isolated from friends or family?
They may discourage, prevent or make it difficult for you to see the people who support you.

Do they constantly put you down?
This could include insults, humiliation, criticism or making you feel worthless.

Do they make you question yourself or your memory?
They may deny things that have happened, twist situations or make you feel as though you are overreacting or imagining things.

Are you afraid of them?
You may feel frightened of their anger, reactions, threats or what might happen if you disagree with them or try to leave.

Do they monitor or check up on you?
They may check your phone, messages or social media, track your location or constantly demand to know where you are.

Do they control your money?
This can include taking your money, preventing you from working, controlling your spending or leaving you without access to financial support.

Are you being threatened or intimidated?
Threats can be directed at you, your children, family, friends, pets or themselves.

Are you being pressured or forced into sexual activity?
Consent should always be freely given. Being in a relationship does not mean someone has the right to pressure, manipulate or force you into sex.

Has their behaviour become physical?
Physical abuse can include pushing, hitting, kicking, restraining, choking or any other form of physical violence.

Has the abuse continued after the relationship ended?
An ex-partner may continue to contact, monitor, threaten, harass or control you after separation.