Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender, or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional. This definition also includes so-called 'honour'-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Definition as provided by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner. It can happen at any point in a relationship, including after you have split up.
Anyone forced to change their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner or ex-partner’s reaction is experiencing abuse.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. However, statistics show most domestic abuse is carried out by men and experienced by women.
Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person who is experiencing it. Domestic abuse is a crime.
Information Provided by Refuge.