Forms of domestic abuse
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Domestic violence is the abuse of one partner within an intimate or family relationship. It is the repeated, random and habitual use of intimidation to control a partner. The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused.
Most people can identify physical abuse – it is the most ‘obvious’ form of domestic violence. But what about the more subtle forms? This page gives information on the other techniques perpetrators may use to abuse and control.
Emotional abuse
Sometimes called ‘psychological abuse’, emotional abuse is an attack on a woman’s personality rather than her body, and it can be just as harmful as physical abuse.
Examples include calling her names, putting her down, making her feel like she is going mad and blaming her for the abuse, or controlling her every move through threats and intimidation. The grinding impact of emotional abuse can ch...
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