Domestic abuse can be perpetrated in many different ways. These actions fall into the categories of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, and financial abuse.
Examples of abusive behaviour
Physical
- Spitting
- Grabbing/pushing/pinching/slapping/punching
- Hair pulling/cutting
- Urinating on you
- Burning
- Branding
- Choking/strangulation/attempts to drown
- False imprisonment
- Forced use of drugs and alcohol
Sexual
- Rape
- Filming sex without consent
- Unwanted touching
- Withholding sex
- Being forced to watch porn
- Penetration with objects without your consent
- Bestiality
- Being passed to others for sex without your consent
Emotional and Psychological
- Threats of suicide to make you feel guilty
- Name calling
- Putting you down
- Making you feel useless and worthless
- Blackmail
- Forced marriage
Financial
- Taking your money
- Bribing you
- Preventing you from earning money
- Forcing you to work more than you want to
- Forcing you to steal
This list is not exhaustive.
You do not have to be experiencing all of these categories, the behaviours are different in every situation and can change over time.
If you are experiencing any of these, or any other form of abuse, then please contact us for practical local support. We can help you and your children stay safe in your own home, support you to access specialist legal advice, help you with other agencies (eg Benefits and Housing), and, if you cannot stay at home, we can help you find a Place of Safety.
Coercive control
Coercively controlling behaviour was officially criminalised on 29 December 2015. This means that perpetrators who are attempting to control and emotionally, financially, and psychologically abuse their (ex)partners/family members could face criminal charges for their actions.
Coercive control is defined as ‘A course of conduct in which a pattern of violence, sexual coercion, intimidation, isolation and control are used to dominate and exploit a partner and deprive her of her basic rights and resources’ (Evan Stark 2007).
This can include, but is not limited to:
- Stalking
- Not allowing you to leave your property
- Telling you what to wear
- Preventing you from going to work
- Controlling your finances
- Threats
- Putting you down (name calling etc).
If you feel that you, or someone you know or who you are working with, are being coercively controlled, please call our helpdesk on 01452 726 570 and they will discuss your options with you.
