What is Domestic Abuse?
Firstly the word abuse. What do we mean?
Sometimes you will hear the phrase domestic abuse, sometimes domestic violence. They mean the same thing. Domestic abuse encompasses a range of abusive behaviours which are used by an abuse partner (or ex-partner) to maintain power and control over you. Domestic abuse is not just a disagreement.
There are many different types of abusive behaviour. It should be recognised that abuse is an ongoing pattern of behaviour, which will escalate over a period of time.
- Physical violence - such as assault
- Psychological abuse - such as some forms of harassment
- Sexual abuse - such as rape or indecent assault
- Emotional abuse - harm deliberately or recklessly inflicted on another person’s emotional well being
- Financial abuse - where one partner maintains control over the other’s money.
- Stalking or harrassment - such as following their victim, appearing at their home or workplace, repeatedly making phone calls, sending texts and emails.
