About Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is very common – research shows that it will affect 1 in 4 women in their lifetime, regardless of age, social class, race, disability or lifestyle.
Domestic abuse refers to a range of behaviours by a partner (male or female), family member or carer and can include emotional, physical, psychological, sexual and financial abuse.
You may be experiencing one, some or all of these types of abuse:
- Emotional – constant criticism, being shouted at
- Physical – being slapped, kicked, bitten, hit, punched
- Psychological – prevented from seeing family and friends, stopped from going out to work, threatened with abuse or told you may lose your children if you leave.
- Sexual – made to have sex, sexual degradation
- Economic – kept short of money, made to apply for loans in your nam
Are you feeling that:
- You are worthless
- There is no choice but to put up with things
- As long as the children are OK it’s worth staying
- The children may be taken into care if you ask for help
- You couldn’t financially support yourself if you left
Remember – It is not your fault. You are not alone. If any of these things are happening to you and you would like support we will do all we can to help you.
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