Domestic Violence

 

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence and abuse is any kind of violence between people who have a relationship, or have had one in the past (E.g. husband and wife, former partners or children.)

It can take many forms.

For example:

  • Physical violence - hitting, pushing, injuring you or forcing you to have sex
  • Threatening you, your children or someone you care about
  • Swearing and shouting at you
  • Putting you down and humiliating you
  • Taking control of your money
  • Stopping you leaving the house

Whatever form it takes, domestic violence is rarely a one-off incident and is wrong.

It can begin at any time during a relationship and tends to happen more often, getting worse over time.

Who experiences domestic violence and abuse?

Domestic violence can happen to anyone in all different situations and in all kinds of relationships - heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

People suffer domestic violence regardless of their social group, class, age, race, disability, sexuality or lifestyle.

Children are often the silent victims. Witnessing domestic violence or being a victim of it can badly affect a child's behaviour, health, schoolwork and future.

What might increase the risk of violence?

  • Trying to leave your partner
  • Social isolation - feeling you're on your own in the community - because you don't speak English or you have a disability that stops you going out or talking to people
  • Misuse of drugs and alcohol

Can anyone help?

To talk to someone in confidence for support, information or an emergency referral to temporary accommodation contact the free 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 or visit their website: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/