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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & ABUSE

This includes punching, slapping, hitting, kicking, shoving, strangling, physical restraint, destroying possessions, withholding medication, using weapons, and access to medical treatment.

This includes using force, pressure or harassment into having sex/sexual acts when it is not wanted, forcing sex with other people, or degrading treatment relating to your sexuality.

Stalking and harassment are repeated behaviours that make someone feel frightened, controlled, or unsafe. They can happen in person, online, or through others. These behaviours are recognised in UK law as forms of domestic abuse, even if there is no physical violence.

Non Fatal Strangulation  is when someone intentionally restricts another person’s breathing or blood flow, usually by applying pressure to the neck or throat. It may involve hands, arms, or objects, and does not have to leave visible marks.

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, non‑fatal strangulation is a serious criminal offence and is recognised as a form of domestic abuse. It is extremely dangerous and can cause hidden injuries, long‑term health problems, or be life‑threatening, even if the person does not lose consciousness.

In England and Wales, coercive control is a criminal offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. It covers repeated behaviour by a partner, ex‑partner or family member that causes fear, distress or loss of independence. This can include controlling finances, isolating someone from friends or family, monitoring their movements, or making them feel scared. Physical violence does not have to be present.

This includes limiting access to money for essentials such as food or clothing, limiting access to bank accounts in the survivor’s name, controlling where money can be spent, or running up debts and taking out loans in the survivor’s name.

This includes shouting, mocking, gaslighting (saying abuse or events have not happened), isolation from family and friends, threats to harm or kill, harassment or stalking.

Post‑separation abuse is when an abuser continues or escalates abusive behaviour after a relationship has ended. Leaving does not always mean the abuse stops.

This abuse may include harassment, stalking, threats, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, or using children, contact arrangements, courts, or technology to maintain control. It can happen even when people no longer live together.

Modern slavery is a serious crime where someone is controlled and exploited and cannot leave due to fear, threats or coercion. It is closely linked to domestic abuse, as tactics like coercive control, isolation, violence and financial abuse are often used to force people into unpaid work, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude, sometimes within relationships or families.