What is domestic abuse?
The legal definition of domestic abuse is: any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are 'personally connected', regardless of their gender or sexuality.
Domestic abuse can be, but isn't limited to:
- physical
- emotional
- psychological
- sexual
- financial
Examples of people who are ‘personally connected’ include:
- relatives, including half and step relatives
- married couples, or couples who used to be married
- civil partners, or former civil partners
- people who have ever agreed to marry, or enter into a civil partnership agreement with each other
- people who have had an intimate relationship with each other
- people who are a parent of the same child, or have ever had a parental responsibility for the same child
Domestic abuse also includes honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
The Crown Prosecution Service website has a breakdown of the types of domestic abuse.
Just one incident counts as abuse.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or social background.
If you are suffering from physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse, or are being threatened, intimidated or stalked by a current or previous partner or close family member, it’s likely you’re a victim of domestic abuse.
You're not to blame for what's happening. You're not alone.
You can report it to us or, if you’re not ready to speak to the police, you can contact support organisations who will help you.
We have a list of national and local support organisations who can help.