Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. But it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.
Domestic abuse can seriously harm children and young people. Witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse, and teenagers can suffer domestic abuse in their relationships.
You don’t have to be living with someone for a toxic relationship to develop — some young people will experience relationship abuse while living with their parents or carers. It can happen in any relationship and can continue once the relationship is over.
Abusive behaviour can occur in any relationship at any age and happens regardless of gender. It is never the victim’s fault, everyone has the right to feel safe in a relationship
There are many warning signs of violence and abuse. An abusive relationships is when you begin to feel scared or controlled by the person you're with. You may be confused because it feels like a loving relationship but often only when you behave in a certain way.
As yourself does your partner
- show extreme jealousy, anger to you or other people.
- display controlling behaviour; like telling you where you can go or what you can wear
- read and monitor your calls, emails and texts to see what’s being said
- believes in rigid sex roles;
- blame others for their problems or feelings and find it difficult to take responsibility for their actions.
- Become verbally abusive towards you, such as insulting you, shouting at you or making derogatory comments about you.
- cause physical violence towards you, such as kicking, punching, hitting.
- Use threatening behaviour to get you to do something you don’t want to do
If the answer is yes to any of these it is a sign your relationship may be abusive. Please get some help. If you are at immediate risk of harm, you need to call the police immediately on 999.
Further advise for yourself or a friend you may be worried about can be found from women’s aid site.
If you or someone you know is being abused and if someone is at immediate risk of harm, you need to call the police immediately on 999.
There is other support available: please contact your school nurse, call Childline on 08001111 or Women’s Aid on 0808 2000 247.
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