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What is domestic violence and abuse?

Domestic violence is:

“threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on one person by another where they are or have been intimate partners or family members, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.”

It is essentially a pattern of behaviour which is characterised by the exercise of control and the misuse of power by one person over another. It is usually frequent and persistent.

The abuse can go beyond actual physical violence. It can involve emotional abuse - for example: undermining of self-confidence; threats to others including children; controlling behaviour such as isolation from friends and family; control over access to money, personal items, food, transportation or the telephone; the destruction of property and stalking.

Domestic violence can include violence inflicted on, or witnessed by, children.