Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. However, statistics show most domestic abuse is carried out by men and experienced by women.
Across England and Wales, 1 in 4 women will experience abuse in their lifetime and on average, one woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days.
For more information on domestic abuse, including how to support survivors, or access support yourself, you can visit our
neighbourhood watch’s website, or Refuge’s website, as well as learning more from other organisations.
There are several definitions of the many different types of domestic abuse which can be experienced – below are some examples from Refuge:
Definitions and types of domestic abuse
- Psychological/emotional abuse: Includes name-calling, threats and manipulation, blaming you for the abuse or ‘gaslighting’ you.
- Coercive control: When an abuser uses a pattern of behaviour over time to exert power and control. It is a criminal offence.
- Physical abuse: This isn’t only hitting. He might restrain you or throw objects. He might pinch or shove you and claim it’s a ‘joke’.
- Tech abuse: He might send abusive texts, demand access to your devices, track you with spyware, or share images of you online.
- Economic abuse: Controlling your access to money or resources. He might take your wages, stop you working, or put you in debt without your knowledge or consent
- Sexual abuse: This doesn’t have to be physical. He might manipulate, deceive or coerce you into doing things you don’t want to do.
Supporting a survivor
It can be hard to know how to support a friend or loved one who is experiencing domestic abuse. Your first instinct may be to protect them, but intervening directly can be dangerous for you and them. There are ways you can help though.