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What is Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is defined as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. Domestic abuse is a form of gender-based violence and women are more likely to be abuse repeatedly by a male perpetrator close to them, for example partner, ex-partner, family member or carer. Domestic abuse is often used to assert power and control in the relation. 1.6 million women experience domestic violence.
Types of Domestic Abuse
Coercive Control – Coercive control refers to acts or patterns of acts of assaults, threats, manipulation, humiliation and intimation and other abuses. Coercive control is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim. The controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour. Examples of coercive control are isolating you from friends and family, monitoring how you spend your time, stopping you from accessing support services and humiliation/dehumanisation.
Psychological and/or emotional abuse – Psychological and emotional abuse is when a perpetrator uses word and non-physical actions to manipulate, hurt, scare or upset you. Examples of emotional and verbal abuse includes gaslighting, insults and the use of derogatory works, screaming and shouting and threats to kill or harm themselves, you and/or your children
Physical abuse – physical abuse is the most visible types of domestic abuse. It is often used as a way for the perpetrator to gain control. Examples of physical abuse are using objects as weapons to attack or injure, punching walls or breaking things, restraining, strangling, choking, punching, kicking and biting.
Sexual abuse and violence – Sexual abuse and violence refers to any behaviour thought to be of a sexual nature which is unwanted and non-consensual. It can take place within relationships or between family members. You cannot consent if you are afraid or if you have been pressured into it. Examples of sexual abuse are rape, sexual assault, degrading during sex and the use of threats, guilt, manipulation or intimation to make you perform sexual acts. Please visit our Sex@Brunel page for more information – [ https://brunelstudents.com/representation/campaigns2/sex/ ]
Financial or economic abuse – Financial abuse involves a pattern of controlling, threatening and degrading behaviours relating to money and finances. The perpetrator uses money to control their partner’s freedom. Examples of financial abuse can include controlling all of the household income and keeping financial information a secret, taking out debts in your name, having control over spending, checking receipts and having everything in their name
Harassment and stalking – Stalking and harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened.
Online or digital abuse – online platforms are increasingly being used to perpetrate domestic violence. It includes behaviours such as the monitoring of social profiles or emails, abuse over social media platforms, sharing intimate photos or videos without consent and using GPD locators or spyware.
Disability & Domestic Abuse – If you have a disability or chronic health conditioner, an abuser may use this as part of the abuse. Perpetrators can take advantage of the power they have as a caregiver. Some of the ways disabled women experience abuse can include withholding, destroying or manipulating medical equipment; refusing to help with important meetings; sexual touching while assisting; refusing to assist with caregiving responsibilities and/or treatment or demanding sex in exchange for caregiving.
Immigration Abuse – Immigration abuse is when an abuser uses a person’s immigration status to control or coerce them. Someone migrant women will be dependent on their abuser for their immigration status. Migrant victims may fear reporting to the police as they are concerned that the police will share information with immigration.
Victim Blaming - It is important to remember that the abuse is never your fault. Domestic abuse can leave you feeling isolated and alone with no one to turn to, as perpetrators seek to gain power and control in your life. There is never a situation which can justify abuse, and the fault always lies entirely with the perpetrator.
Why Don’t People Leave
Danger & Fear
One of the main reasons why women don’t leave abusive relationship is because of the threat of future violence and violence after separation. most important reasons women don’t leave is because it can be incredibly dangerous. The fear that women feel is very real – there is a huge rise in the likelihood of violence after separation. 41% (37 of 91) of women killed by a male partner/former partner in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2018 had separated or taken steps to separate from them. Eleven of these 37 women were killed within the first month of separation and 24 were killed within the first year.
Isolation
Domestic abusive situation the perpetrator aims to weaken the victims’ connection with family and friends and reduce their connection with the outside world. The isolation makes it difficult for the victims so recognise that the behaviour abusive and seek support.
Shame, Embarrassment or Denial
Practical Barriers to Leaving
- Financial Constrains – the perpetuator may have restricted their ability to have a job or financial independence
- Children & other dependents – victims may fear having their children taken away and having to worry about split custody
- Insecure immigration status – victims may fear being deported
References
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/#:~:text=We%20define%20domestic%20abuse%20as,It%20is%20very%20common.
https://hillingdonwomenscentre.org/what-is-domestic-abuse/
https://thesurvivorstrust.org/
https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/domestic-abuse