Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is any incident, or pattern of incidents, of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between people aged 16 or over in intimate relationships or who (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) are personally connected through family relationships or living arrangements. 

Domestic Abuse Law:

The legal definitions of domestic abuse in the four UK nations are:  

Who is affected by domestic abuse?

It happens across all sections of society, regardless of gender, age, ability, religion, race, ethnicity, financial background or sexual orientation.

Both men and women can be victims, although a greater number of women experience domestic abuse and are more likely to be seriously injured or killed because of it.

Babies, children and young people are affected by domestic abuse and laws across the UK recognise the impact on children. If you are concerned that a child is living in a home where there is domestic abuse, or has a parent / carer in an abusive relationship, talk to your Safeguarding Lead.  

Coercive control

Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse used to harm, punish, or frighten another person. It is designed to make a person subordinate or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting them and their resources, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape, and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Domestic abuse can include: 

• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse 
• Sexual abuse 
• Financial abuse 
• Forced marriage 
• Female Genital Mutilation
• ‘Honour’-based abuse

It is usually frequent and persistent, can happen inside and outside the home, and can continue even after a relationship has ended.