Domestic Violence is much more common than most people realise. Even if you are not experiencing it yourself, you may well know someone who is.
If you are being abused, threatened or physically or sexually assaulted by a partner, a former partner or a family member, that is domestic violence.
Domestic violence can involve a wide range of abusive or controlling behaviour including:
- Threats
- Harassment
- Physical attacks
- Financial control
- Emotional Abuse - including constant criticism, telling you that you are useless, ugly or worthless. Threatening to kill or harm you or your children.
- Mental Abuse – including intimidation, bullying, being locked in or kept in isolation away from your family or friends, not allowing you any money, food sleep or freedom.
It can be physical and can include:
- Slapping
- Punching
- Beating
- Kicking
- Knife wounds – often leading to permanent injuries or death
It can be sexual – this could include being forced to have sex against your will, sexual degradation, forcing sex in ways that hurt and abuse you.
Forced marriage, honour crimes and female genital mutilation are also other forms of domestic violence.
Anyone can experience domestic violence – it can happen in all kinds of relationships and for any reason, regardless of age, sex, race, sexuality, disability, wealth, geography and lifestyle. It is rarely a one off event. Physical and sexual abuse tends to get more severe and happen more often over time, sometimes only ending when one person actually kills the other.
The chain of events needs to be broken and a range of organisations are working to do this. (Many organisations are listed on this website.) Individuals also have an important part to play. For those people experiencing violence, the support of a trusted friend can be invaluable. We all have the right to live without fear of violence and abuse.
You can find information, advice and support in this section of the website.
If you need to speak to someone in confidence please contact the Domestic Violence Forum on 01706 718923 or email kerry.reddy@riadvf.org.uk
