What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, sometimes including sexual violence. The majority of cases are often perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member, extended family or carer.
One in three women are subjected to domestic abuse and violence. In the vast majority of cases, domestic abuse is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.
When looking for the right support it helps to know what type of abuse is being experienced. Intimate partner, ex-partner or family abuse can take many different forms and it is not always physical. Domestic abuse can include:
- Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Stalking and harassment
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Financial or economic abuse
- Online or digital abuse
- Immigration abuse (using your immigration status as means of control e.g. threatening you with deportation, convincing you that the police and other authorities are not on your side you)
I need help
If you are looking for support, please do not hesitate to contact us or speak to someone who you trust. This can be a friend, family member, neighbour or a professional (e.g. Health Visitor, GP, Social Work, domestic abuse service etc)
Remember if you are in immediate danger please call 999.
I'm already in your service
If you are currently a client of Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid and need more support, please contact your key worker directly or contact the Drop-In Centre and give the details of your key worker to be put through to them.
