About Violence and Abuse
We are here to support you. We understand what you may be experiencing and we can help.
Recognising abusive behaviours
Do you feel that someone in your life is …
- Controlling where you go and who you see.
- Threatening to hurt you or the things and/or the people you care about.
- Preventing you from getting a job, benefits or an independent income.
- Intimidating you through looks, words or actions.
- Putting you down and constantly criticising you, or playing mind games.
- Physically and or sexually hurting you, or making you do things you don’t want to do.
- Denying you access to professional help ,e.g. from a doctor or nurse.
- Leaving you feeling afraid, sad, vulnerable, scared, confused or angry.
These are just some examples that you may be experiencing domestic violence.
What is domestic violence
Freeva use the following definition
‘Domestic Violence involves the misuse of power and is based on a range of control mechanisms which include: physical, sexual, psychological, social or economic abuse or neglect of an individual by a partner, ex-partner, carer or one or more family members, in an existing or previous domestic relationship. This is regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religious, cultural or political beliefs, ethnicity, disability, HIV status, class or location. Domestic Violence can also include forced marriage and so-called ‘honour crimes’.
Please see link for the governments definition on domestic violence: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extended-definition-of-domestic-violence-takes-effect
Who is affected?
Research shows that Domestic Violence is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. At least 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and between 1 in 8 and 1 in 10 women experience it annually.
If you are unsure about whether you are experiencing domestic violence then please see this link: http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violence-survivors-handbook.asp?section=000100010008000100310004
Remember, you are not alone – many people experience domestic violence, rape and/or sexual assault. Recognising that you are experiencing violence and abuse is the first step and accessing support can help you to decide what you can do.
