Domestic Abuse

The Home Office definition of domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so-called ‘honour-based’ violence; female genital mutilation; and forced marriage. The term Domestic Abuse is applied at age 16 years; under 16 years it is Child Abuse.

Family members are defined as:

• Mother
• Father
• Son
• Daughter
• Brother
• Sister
• Grandparents
• In-laws
• Step-family

Signs of domestic abuse might include:

• Physical injuries (as described above in physical abuse)
• Making excuses for frequent injuries
• Stress, anxiety or depression
• Absence from work and/or social occasions
• Personality changes such as being jumpy or nervous
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of self-respect or self-worth
• Lack of independent communication
• Self-blame
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Lack of money
• Damage to property

Domestic and family violence tears lives apart. Violence and the threat of violence at home create fear and can destroy family environments and lead to the break-up of families. Emotional and psychological trauma can have a devastating impact on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional health including depression, shame, anger and suicide.