The UK’s cross-government definition of domestic abuse is:
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.” This abuse can include but is not limited to: – psychological – physical – sexual – financial and emotional abuse.
Ask yourself the following questions…
- Is my relationship physically, sexually, emotionally or financially abusive?
- Is my partner charming one minute and terrifyingly aggressive the next?
- Is my partner excessively jealous and possessive?
- Is my partner stopping me from seeing my family and friends?
- Is my partner constantly criticising me and putting me down?
- Does my partner control my money?
- Does my partner tell me what to wear, whom to see, where to go, what to think?
- Does my partner do or say things that hurt me or make me feel uncomfortable?
- Am I starting to walk on eggshells to avoid making my partner angry?
- Are my choices undermined by my partner’s demands?
- Am I worried about the effect on my children, or are they “caught in the middle”?