COVID-19:
Home » Social Care and Health » Health » Public Health » Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) » Get Help and Advice » What is domestic violence and abuse?
COVID-19: Health advice: What to do if you feel unwell and how to look after yourself. See also our Covid Weekly Update and Local Outbreak Management Plan.
What is domestic violence and abuse?
Leave this page (external link)
Domestic Violence and Abuse is:
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality."
This can include, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse:
- Psychological: such as preventing contact with family/friends, threats
- Physical: such as kicking, punching, biting, slapping, restraining, throwing things, burning
- Sexual: such as rape, being forced to participate in sexual acts, being forced to watch pornography
- Financial: such as depriving of money, selling possessions, controlling expenditure, loaning money
- Emotional: such as giving you the silent treatment, name calling/insults, mood swings, criticism, playing on your fears
Controlling behaviour is:
"A range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour."
Coercive behaviour is:
"An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim."
The definition of domestic violence and abuse is not a legal definition - it includes so called 'honour' based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.
Find out more about how to spot the signs of an abusive relationship, have your say on the issue and seek help on the Disrespect Nobody website (external link).
If you are worried about violence or abuse from your partner, ex-partner or a member of your family, visit our How to get help page for advice.
Or if you are in immediate danger, you should phone the police on 999.
Page last updated:
8 May 2020
Tell us what you think about the website
Covid-19 survey
We are currently running a short survey about our Covid-19 response and information. You can take the Covid-19 survey here.
Contact us about our services
Please note if you have a service problem or complaint you need help with then please visit our contact pages.
Give us feedback about this page
Please use this space to tell us how we can improve the website.
Overall, how easy was it to get the help you wanted today?
* = response required
Find my nearest
Visit My Haringey to get information about your property and local area including council tax bands, parking zones, planning applications and much more.
Advertising
