What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is a unique crime type. Whilst it is common, it is often hidden and therefore difficult to quantify.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 creates a statutory definition of domestic abuse and recognises children and young people as victims.
Behaviour of a person towards another person is ‘domestic abuse’ if -
- Both persons are each aged 16 years or over and
are personally connected to each other,
and
- the behaviour is ‘abusive’.
Behaviour is ‘abusive’ if it consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse;
- violent or threatening behaviour;
- controlling or coercive behaviour;
- economic abuse;
- psychological, emotional or other abuse;
It is important to remember that each person’s experience of domestic abuse will be different, it can encompass a wide range of behaviours and it can involve a single incident or a course of conduct.
Children and young people (under the age of 18 years) are deemed to be victims as a result of seeing, hearing or otherwise experiencing domestic abuse between two people where the child is related to at least one of them whether that be the victim or perpetrator.
The types of abuse can differ in nature, dynamics and impact; therefore, it is important to recognise the forms of abuse:
- Intimate partner abuse (current and former)
- Abuse by family members
- Teenage Relationship Abuse
- Child-to-Parent Abuse
Who is vulnerable to Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Domestic abuse can also manifest itself in specific ways within different communities.
Learning and development
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