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.
Children and young peoples experience of domestic violence and abuse
Domestic abuse is persistent and widespread, because of its prevalence many children and young people are affected by it. They can experience domestic abuse in a number of ways:
- As a witness to domestic abuse in the family home and maybe directly victimised by the perpetrator of that abuse
- In their own intimate partner relationships. When talking about young people who are within abusive relationships, the term used is ‘Interpersonal Violence and Abuse’ (IPVA).
- They may demonstrate harmful behaviours themselves towards partners or family members. The term ‘young person causing harm’ is used instead of ‘perpetrator’ as labelling young people as perpetrators can prove to be a barrier to engagement.
- They may be forced or coerced into abusing by the perpetrator.
Impact on children and young people
Experiencing domestic violence in any of the different ways described overleaf can have significant impact on children and young people, including a detrimental and long-lasting impact on a child’s health, development, ability to learn and wellbeing. Guidance for joint targeted area inspections can be found on the Goverment web page (Ofsted et al, 2017)
Impacts include:
- The impact of hearing or being aware of domestic violence is as great, if not greater than seeing domestic violence due to the uncertainty of what is happening and not knowing if the victim is ok.
- Children may be physically injured due to either being caught in between an adult who is physically abusing another, or by being used as / or purposefully becoming a shield for someone who is being physically abused
- Children and young people may experience feelings of guilt due to believing that the abuse is their fault, or that they are unable to protect the victim
- The stress caused to very young children who are exposed to domestic abuse can negatively affect brain development and impact cognitive and sensory growth. Available via the Behind Closed Doors website (UNICEF, 2006)
- Children can show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder Available via the Safe Lives website (SafeLives, 2015)
- Those who had witnessed domestic abuse as a child under 16 were more likely to experience domestic abuse by a partner as an adult
- Witnessing domestic violence is one of 10 adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) occurring before the age of 18 which have been found through research to increase the risk of adult mental health problems and debilitating diseases available via the Early Intervention Foundation website (Asmussen et al, 2020)
- Young people who are abusive in their own intimate relationships are more likely to have experienced difficulties in their childhood, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Available via equation.org.uk (Barter et al, 2009)
- The experience of domestic abuse for some young people includes causing harm to those closest to them including partners, parents, siblings and other family members.
Information for practitioners working in domestic violence and abuse
If you work with victims of domestic abuse or violence find resources, training and advice on the Safer Leeds website.