What domestic violence and abuse is

Domestic violence and abuse is:

• An unacceptable crime which affects people from all social and economic backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation
• Any action involving abuse between adult family members (including current and former partners). The abuse occurs when a person causes, attempts to cause, or threatens to cause emotional, sexual or physical harm to an intimate partner or other family member
• A pattern of coercive behaviour by an individual to establish and maintain power and control over another (as relationship defined above). This type of behaviour takes many forms, including physical, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, isolation and the selective destruction of property and pets.
• Rarely a one off event. It can escalate in frequency and severity over time. The majority of victims are women but domestic violence happens to men as well.

Domestic abuse handbook

This provides more detailed information for people experiencing domestic abuse, and also for practitioners working in the field. It will tell you more about victims of domestic abuse, reasons many women stay, signs to look for in an abusive relationship, warning signs that you are an abuser, children of domestic abuse and how others can help you.

Domestic abuse: An information handbook