What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological (emotionally) or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship. Some of these types of behaviour are obviously violent such as hitting others are more subtle such as constantly putting someone down.

Sometimes a partner or close relative or person close to you such as a brother, uncle or son can behave in a way that is frightening or makes you feel depressed and bad about yourself. How they behave to make you feel that way may vary:

they may threaten you or humiliate you in front of others, damage your belongings or property
they may control what you do, for example by controlling how you use money
they may follow you or visit you without your consent
they may use their culture, religion or personal problems as an excuse for their behaviour

Or, they may physically assault you:

they may push, bully, slap, kick, punch or otherwise cause serious injury to you
they may force you to have sex when you do not want to. This kind of behaviour is domestic violence. Domestic violence affects women from all communities and backgrounds.

This behaviour may make you feel:

unable to talk to family or friends
depressed, suicidal, ashamed or guilty and can make you lose your confidence
that there is no way out of this relationship
that you deserve to be treated in this way
worried about how your children are affected by your situation

Does domestic violence only happen in certain cultures or classes?

Research shows that domestic violence is most commonly experienced by women and carried out by men. Any woman can experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle.

Domestic violence can also take place in lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender relationships, and can involve other family members, including children.

What is the official definition of domestic violence?

The Government defines domestic violence as "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." This includes issues such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so called ‘honour’ crimes as well as elder abuse when committed within the family or by an intimate partner. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called 'honour killings'.

Why does it happen?

All forms of domestic violence - psychological, economic, emotional and physical - come from the abuser's desire for power and control over other family members or intimate partners.