What is Domestic Violence?
Violence in the home is a crime we are all becoming more aware of each year.In the UK a quarter of all reported violent crimes are domestic.
The home office definition of domestic violence is:
“Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”
"Domestic violence can go beyond actual physical violence. It can also involve emotional abuse, the destruction of a spouse’s or partner’s property, their isolation from friends, family or other potential sources of support, control over access to money, personal items, food, transportation and the telephone and stalking. Violence will often be witnessed by children and there is an overlap between the abuse of women and abuse (physical and sexual) of children."
It is about power, this can be controlling your partner either physically or emotionally. It will often increase in frequency and severity, and is rarely a one off event. More usually it's a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour through which the abuser seeks power over their victim.
Domestic Violence is widespread and occurs in all groups of society. Domestic violence occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography. The figures show, however, that it consists mainly of violence by men against women.
Victims of domestic violence suffer on many levels - health, housing, education - and lose the freedom to live their lives how they want, and without fear.
" I used to think it was all my fault..... I don't now!"
Am I experiencing Domestic Violence?
Are you abusive to your partner
Telephone 01788 537112