Domestic abuse is an act or a pattern of acts used by a perpetrator in an intimate relationship to maintain power over their victim. Often, this abuse is perpetrated by a romantic partner or ex-partner but can also be committed by a family member.
Abuse is not limited to physical harm but involves a wide range of behaviours or tactics, such as threats, social isolation, and demeaning language.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the following forms of abuse are recognised:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Violent or threatening behaviour
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Economic abuse
- Psychological, emotional, or other abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is deliberately injuring someone. Some examples include slapping, pushing, pinching, punching, kicking, and choking.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity that occurs without consent. This includes rape, unwanted touching, and intimate image-based abuse, such as forcing a victim to take intimate pictures or videos or sharing them without their consent.
Violent and Threatening Behaviour
Violent and threatening behaviour causes a victim to feel fear or alarm. This can include brandishing weapons, threats of violence, breaking objects and hurting animals.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour
Coercive control is a pattern of acts that intimidate, harm, threaten or control a victim. These behaviours are used to take away a person’s independence and make them fearful and isolated. This can include depriving you of your basic needs, such as food, isolating you from loved ones, humiliating you, and controlling your time and money.
Economic Abuse
Economic abuse is where an abuser controls and interferes with their victim’s money and assets. This can include limiting your access to money, overspending, preventing you from working, increasing debts in your name and controlling your spending.
Psychological and Emotional Abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse are non-physical behaviours used to control and scare you. This can include degradation, manipulation, insults, yelling, and causing social isolation.