Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Just because someone does not look like a typical victim does not mean they are not suffering from domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse is not always physical or sexual. It can also be the way someone uses power and control to intimidate, scare or coerce someone else.
Partners, ex-partners and family members
Domestic abuse against adults by their partners, ex-partners or family members can affect people from all walks of life and background.
It does not matter what your age, social class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion or educational background is.
Although most domestic abuse is carried out by men against women, men can also suffer abuse by women, and domestic violence is equally common in same-sex relationships.
Domestic abuse also includes forced marriage, female genital mutilation, so-called 'honour killings' and abuse of elderly family members.
Children
Domestic abuse is defined as taking place between adults, but this abuse also harms children
and can have a long-term impact on their emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as their own behaviour in some case.
If you are worried about abuse against children or young people, contact children's safeguarding immediately.
Are you experiencing domestic abuse?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, it is important to remember that it is not your fault, and that you do not have live through it in silence and on your own. You are entitled to live your life free from fear. Go to our page on where to get help for people experiencing domestic abuse for details on the many people and organisations whom you can turn to for help and advice.
Domestic abuse
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