ISSUES
: Domestic Violence
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Glossary
Glossary
Clare’s Law
Also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure
Scheme, Clare’s Law allows people to find out whether
someone has a record of abusive offences, or if there
is any other information that indicates they may be a
risk.
Coercive control
The term coercive control refers to the aspects of
domestic violence that encompass more than just
physical abuse, e.g. psychological behaviour that
removes a victim’s freedom.
Domestic abuse/violence
Any incident of physical, sexual, emotional or financial
abuse that takes place within an intimate partner
relationship. Domestic abuse can be perpetrated by
a spouse, partner or other family member and occurs
regardless of gender, sex, race, class or religion.
Elder abuse
The abuse of elderly people.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse refers to a victim being verbally
attacked, criticised and put down. Following frequent
exposure to this abuse, the victim’s mental wellbeing
suffers as their self-esteem is destroyed and the
perpetrator’s control over them increases. They may
suffer from feelings of worthlessness, believing that
they deserve the abuse or that if they were to leave the
abuser they would never find another partner. A victim
way also have been convinced by their abuser that the
abuse is their fault. The abuser can use these feelings
to manipulate the victim.
Financial abuse
Financial, or economic, abuse involves controlling the
victim’s finances. This limits the victim’s independence
and ability to access help, and restricts their ability
to leave the abusive relationship. Financial abuse can
include withholding money or credit cards, exploiting
mutual assets and forcing someone to quit their job or
work against their will.
Female genital mutilation (FGM)
FGM is a non-medical cultural practice that involves
partially or totally removing a girl or woman’s external
genitalia.
Forced marriage
A marriage that takes place without the consent of
one or both parties. Forced marriage is not the same
as arranged marriage, which is organised by family or
friends but which both parties freely enter into.
Gaslighting
Psychologically manipulating someone by making
them believe their behaviour is at fault.
Honour crime
An ‘honour’ crime or killing occurs when family
members take action against a relative who is thought
to have brought shame on the family. The victims are
mostly women who are accused of dishonouring their
family by going against their wishes (for example, by
fleeing a forced marriage).
Perpetrator programme
A rehabilitation programme for perpetrators of
domestic abuse which aims to help them understand
and try to change their abusive behaviour.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves the use of violence or force
against a victim and can including hitting, slapping,
kicking, pushing, strangling or other forms of violence.
Physical assault is a crime and the police have the
power to protect victims, but in a domestic violence
situation it can sometimes take a long time for the
violence to come to light. Some victims are too afraid
to go to the police, believe they can reform the abuser
(who they may still love) or have normalised their
abusive situation and do not realise they can get help.
Refuge
A shelter or safe house, offering a safe place for
victims of domestic violence and their children to
stay. Refuges can provide practical advice as well as
emotional support for victims of domestic abuse until
they can find somewhere more permanent to stay.
Revenge porn
Revenge porn refers to distributing or making public
explicit images or videos of a former partner.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a victim is forced into a
sexual act against their will, through violence or
intimidation. This can include rape. Sexual abuse is
always a crime, no matter what the relationship is
between the victim and perpetrator.
Stalking
Repeatedly following, watching or harassing someone.
Stalking usually takes place over a long period of
time and is made up of lots of different actions, some
of which may seem harmless but which can prove
extremely distressing to the victim.
