Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse statistics:

• Will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.
• Leads to, on average, two women being murdered each week and 30 men per year.
• Accounts for 16% of all violent crime (Source: Crime in England and Wales 15/16 report), however it is still the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police
• Has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police)
• Is the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless (Shelter, 2016)
• In 2016 the Forced Marriage Unit responded to 1735 reports of possible Forced Marriages

Also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic abuse can include:

• Sexual abuse and rape (including within a relationship)
• Punching, kicking, cutting, hitting with an object
• Withholding money or preventing someone from earning money
• Taking control over aspects of someone’s everyday life, which can include where they go and what they wear
• Not letting someone leave the house
• Reading emails, text messages or letters
• Threatening to kill or harm them, a partner, another family member or pet.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.

Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate; it happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimised, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behaviour is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

How domestic abuse affects children

Mums or dads who suffer domestic abuse don’t always realise how it affects their child. They might think that because their child doesn’t see what’s happening that they’re not affected. But we know that living in a home where domestic abuse takes place can be really harmful for a child.

It can have a very serious impact on a child’s behaviour and wellbeing, even if they’re not directly harmed themselves. Children witnessing domestic abuse is recognised as ‘significant harm’ in law.

Domestic abuse can also be a sign that children are suffering another type of abuse or neglect. The effects can last into adulthood. But, once they’re in a safer and more stable environment, most children are able to recover from the effects of witnessing domestic abuse.

Source: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/domestic-abuse

Support a friend or family member experiencing domestic violence

If you know or suspect that a family member, friend or work colleague is experiencing domestic violence, it may be difficult to know what to do. It can be very upsetting that someone is hurting a person you care about. Your first instinct may be to want to protect your friend or family member but intervening can be dangerous for both you and them. Of course, this does not mean you should ignore it. There are things you can do to help make her and any children safer. If you should witness an assault, you can call the police on 999. There are useful contact below, where you can access help and support.

A new domestic violence law came into effect on 29 December 2015, which recognises for the first time that abuse is a complex and sustained pattern of behaviour intended to create fear. The coercive control offence, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine, can be invoked if a victim suffers serious alarm or distress that impacts on their day-to-day activities, or if they fear violence will be used on at least two occasions. The law change comes in the same month as a report by the police inspectorate which found that the number of reported crimes associated with domestic abuse increased by 31% in 18 months.