Domestic abuse is underpinned by power and control; perpetrators seek to control their victims often by isolating them from friends and family.
Making them feel shameful or that the abuse is their fault, or making them fear the consequences of what might happen if they disclose the abuse to someone.
Because of this, victims often find it incredibly difficult to talk about what is happening, either because they are scared, ashamed or perhaps don’t recognise that what their partner is doing is abusive.