Information for Professionals

Did you know that over 2 women per week are killed by current or ex partners and that one in 4 women in the UK will experience Domestic Abuse in their lifetime?

Domestic Abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, threatening, intimidating behaviour. Domestic abuse does not have to be physical violence, it can be psychological, emotional or sexual abuse and controlling behaviour, such as –isolating you from friends and family, frightening you, hurting you, keeping you short of money, humiliating you, demanding sex from you, threatening to hurt your children. The perpetrator can be a partner or ex-partner.

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats to violence. Direct physical injury is the most obvious danger; however the emotional and psychological consequences of Domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self- worth, lead to anxiety and depression and make you feel helpless and alone.

Most victims are women and children and women are more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence and sexual abuse. Women may experience Domestic Abuse regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, gender, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Domestic abuse can happen in a range of relationships including heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.
Most abusers are men but abusers come from all walks of life, from any ethnic group, religion, class or neighbourhood.
Abusers choose to behave violently to get what they want and gain control.

Domestic abuse is not caused by drink or drug use. Alcohol and drugs can make the abuse worse, but they do not cause the abuse to happen.

Domestic abuse impacts on health, safety, prevents women and children being able to stay in their own home, limits their education and job opportunities.

Who is responsible? The abuser is responsible. There is no excuse for Domestic abuse and the victim is never responsible for the abusers behaviour. Abusers will blame the victim and try to convince the victim that the abuse is their fault. Blaming their behaviour on someone else, on the relationship, their childhood, ill health, alcohol or drug use, is one way many abusers avoid taking responsibility.