What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a complex problem that requires a range of complex responses. It is hard to address, because other adults rarely witness the abuse and the victim is likely to have family, financial and emotional links with the perpetrator.
Most domestic abuse occurs in what should be a safe and supportive relationship and often in the presence of children. This is an extreme violation of trust and causes immeasurable pain and suffering to victims and their children.
Remember, domestic abuse is a crime.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour characterised by control and misuse of power and includes any violent or abusive behaviour by a partner, ex partner or close family member.
This abuse can take many forms:
- Physical violence, including assaults
- Sexual violence including forcing someone to do something against their will
- Emotional or mental abuse
- Threats, intimidation and bullying
- Controlling behaviour and being isolated from family and friends
Who is affected by domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse affects women, men and children in all sections of society. It is hugely under reported, widespread and has no boundaries, affecting anyone regardless of age, sex, culture, gender or lifestyle. It can also be intergenerational, for example between parent and child, where the child is the abuser.
The impact on a victim can be profound and far-reaching resulting in risk to life and limb and even death. It can also lead to serious mental health issues as well as stress and homelessness.
Domestic abuse is strongly linked to child abuse with the existence of one form of abuse being an indicator of the other. Children living with domestic abuse suffer significant stress, which can be displayed in a number of ways including, bed wetting, poor health, loss of concentration, and poor communication skills.
Children are sometimes used as a tool to coerce partners into reconciliation or in participating in the abuse. The long-term affects are profound leading some children to become the next generation of perpetrators and victims.
Who are the abusers?
Abusers can be men, women and in some cases children. Statistically however domestic abuse disproportionately affects women with in excess of 90 per cent of cases being carried out by men.
Techniques used by abusers can be subtle and include violence and coercion as a means to exercise power and control over the victim. Much of the abuse takes place in private, behind closed doors, and often others, including professionals, regard the abuser as a model person even when confronted with evidence to the contrary.
Abusers will attempt to justify their behaviour as being caused by stress, substance misuse, low self-esteem, unemployment, over work or insecurity, however the real reason is the desire to exercise power and control.
Domestic Abuse Strategy 2009 to 2012 [848KB]
Plymouth directory of domestic abuse services [150KB]
Devon Sanctuary Scheme leaflet [425KB]
Domestic Abuse Support Services contacts [1MB]
Domestic Abuse Service leaflet [779KB]