Domestic violence is coercive controlling behaviour - the misuse of power of one person over another - and includes all kinds of physical, sexual and emotional abuse within all kinds of intimate and family relationships. It wrecks thousands of lives in our country and our communities.
Domestic violence is very dangerous. Each week in the UK, two women are killed by a male partner or ex-partner.
The vast majority of domestic violence is carried out by men towards women in marriage or intimate relationships - or after the relationship has ended. However, anyone can be targeted within any intimate heterosexual or same sex relationship or from a close family member. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their social group, class, age, race, disability, sexuality or lifestyle. The abuse can begin at any time - in new relationships or after many years spent together.
Physical and sexual abuse tends to increase in frequency and severity over time, sometimes only ending when one person actually kills the other. Other forms of abusive or controlling behaviour are usually ongoing. However, the psychological or emotional abuse can be just as damaging as the physical violence in its impact on women and children, especially over a long period of time.
In half of the cases of domestic violence, children get hurt accidentally or intentionally by the abuser too. Even when children do not see the violence happening, they often hear it. This can be extremely distressing and disturbing for them.
Is it a crime?
There is no single criminal offence of 'domestic violence'. Instead, there are several categories within the law that constitute a criminal offence.
More information is available on this at: www.womensaid.org.uk
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.'
The government has made it clear that this definition incorporates issues such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so called 'honour' killings, as well as elder abuse when committed within the family or by an intimate partner.
An adult is defined as any person aged 18 years or over. Violence involving people under 18 years of age is classified as child abuse and is dealt with by separate policies and legislation – however this can be problematic as we know that young men can be violent in their own relationships, many of those forced into marriage are children, perpetrators of so-called "honour"-based violence may be members of the extended family or wider community, and violence can be perpetrated by a family member against those young people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Furthermore, children and young people are affected by domestic violence towards their mothers. Not only are many traumatised by what they witness or overhear; but there is frequently direct child abuse occurring with domestic violence.
Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in-laws or stepfamily.
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