What constitutes domestic abuse?
Physical violence can be a part of domestic abuse – but physical acts of violence are not the only acts which can be considered domestic abuse. Indeed, any incident or incidents which aim to control, coerce, threaten or harm a person can be considered domestic abuse.
Examples of behaviours which can be considered include controlling and coercive behaviour; phsychological and emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse or financial abuse. This means behaviours like monitoring phones or your movements; being isolated or financially dependent; being humiliated, threatened or gaslit; being hit, shoved or sexually assaulted and being taken out of control of your own money are all good examples of behaviours which can be considered domestic abuse.
Only one instance of behaviours like the above is needed to be considered domestic abuse – but more often than not, these are part of a repeated pattern of behaviour.
