Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is not a one-off incident, but an ongoing pattern of behaviour in the relationship. It includes a range of behaviours which, once begun, repeats and often gets worse over time.

Anyone can be a victim regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Read the definition of Domestic Abuse on GOV.uk

In an unhealthy relationship, you feel:

• frightened
• intimidated
• isolated
• ashamed 

Your partner or family member:

• threatens you
• makes all the decisions
• controls you
• blames you
• threatens to harm others
• humiliates you

People do not leave abusive relationships because they:

• may feel lonely, confused, frightened and ashamed
• worry leaving will make things worse
• believe that the perpetrator can get help and fix the relationship
• face threats (for example, violence or having children taken away)
• may have to start again, including moving and leaving their job
• do not believe they are in an abusive relationship
• make excuses for bad behaviour as time goes on
• still love their partner of family member