What is Domestic Abuse?
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic Abuse describes negative behaviours that one person exhibits over another within families or relationships. These patterns of behaviour can include threats, put-downs, isolation, violence and control. Sometimes domestic abuse can be called domestic violence.
Domestic abuse can take different forms, including:
- Coercion and Control: repeatedly making someone feel bad or scared, stalking, blackmailing, constantly checking up on someone, playing mind games. Coercive control is now a criminal offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Physical abuse: pushing, hitting, punching, kicking, choking and using weapons
- Sexual abuse: forcing or pressuring someone to have sex (rape), unwanted sexual activity, touching, groping someone or making them watch pornography
- Financial abuse: taking money, controlling finances, not letting someone work
- Emotional abuse
- Digital / online abuse: using technology to further isolate, humiliate or control someone
- Honour-Based Violence and Forced Marriage.
Everyone has the right to live in safety free from the fear of abuse. If you or someone you know is affected see the Refuge website [external link] for more information about domestic abuse and how to access help and support.
The Domestic Abuse Offender Disclosure Scheme (DAODS) (also known as Clare's Law) was established following the inquest of the murder of Clare Wood when it was highlighted the she would not have been in a relationship with her killer if she had known about his abusive past with previous partners. The scheme allows people to make inquiries about their partner if you are worried that they may have been abusive in the past. Further details are available on the Durham Constabulary website [external link].
The Darlington Community Safety Partnership has produced a leaflet Domestic Violence and your Workplace [PDF document] providing advice to employers on how to respond if an employee is experiencing Domestic Abuse with useful contacts and helplines.
Other useful contacts:
Telephone - 03000 202 525 (24hrs)
National Domestic Violence helpline [external link]
Telephone- 0808 2000 247
Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Telephone-01325 369 933
Telephone - 01325 364 486
HALO Project - Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage and FGM
Telephone 01642 683 045
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Male Victims of Domestic Abuse: advice and support for men who experience abuse
We recognise that men can also be victims of Domestic Abuse, both in heterosexual and gay relationships. Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from fear, regardless of their gender but unfortunately it can be more difficult for men to access help and support services.
Refuge runs a number of services for male victims of domestic violence across the country. These are primarily independent domestic violence advocacy and outreach services, which provide practical and emotional support for men who are experiencing domestic violence.
You can also call the ManKind Initiative [external link] on 01823 334244 for specialist support or contact the Freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (24hr helpline).