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Domestic abuse is defined as being between people who are aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. It includes behaviour that is:

• controlling
• coercive
• threatening
• violent

There are different types of abuse and we’re here to help if you’re experiencing any of them.

Physical abuse or violence can include:

• pushing
• hitting or punching
• kicking
• choking
• using weapons.

Verbal abuse is the use of harsh or insulting language directed at a person. You might be called names or constantly put down by your partner.

Emotional abuse, or coercive control, is now a criminal offence. It’s when a person with whom you are personally connected, repeatedly behaves in a way which makes you feel:

• controlled
• dependent
• isolated

Common examples of coercive control are when someone:

• isolates you from your friends, family or support network
• controls your finances
• monitors or restricts your movements
• repeatedly puts you down, call you names or tells you that you’re worthless
• threatens you, your child or someone you love with harm
• publishes, or threatens to publish, personal information or images, damages your belongings or home.

Psychological or mental abuse is when someone is subjected or exposed to a situation that can result in psychological trauma, including:

• anxiety
• depression
• post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sexual abuse or sexual violence is when you’re forced or pressured to have unwanted sexual activity without your consent. This could include:

• penetrative sex or rape
• touching
• groping
• being forced to watch pornography
• being forced to perform a sex act.

Abusers often use technology as a form of control. This could include:

• using GPS or spyware to track you
• monitoring your social media accounts
• accessing your emails or phone messages
• accessing games consoles or other children’s devices in the home
• sharing intimate photos or videos without your consent (this is sometimes called revenge porn).

Economic abuse is very common. Leaving an abusive situation is even more difficult without access to money. It’s another way for abusers to increase their control over to you.

Signs that you’re experiencing economic abuse could include:

• being stopped from going to work or education
• making you account for any money you spend
• checking your bank statements or online banking
• keeping the household income in an account you can’t access
• putting debts in your name
• spending whatever they want, but not letting you spend anything
• making all the financial decisions without you.