What is domestic abuse?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger always call 999
Report a non-emergency crime by calling 101 Police or report online
How to make a silent phone call to the police
How to make a silent 999 call to the Metropolitan Police
Survivors Handbook
The Survivor’s Handbook provides practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse, with simple guidance on every aspect of seeking support.
Recognising domestic abuse
Am I, or is someone I know in an abusive relationship?
Spotting signs: male victims of domestic abuse
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, 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.
Domestic abuse goes beyond intimate partner and ex-partner relationships domestic abuse can be members of our family abusing us as well.
There are different types of abuse and it is not always physical.
Awareness animation
Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board have produced a short domestic abuse awareness animation which outlines what domestic abuse is, the signs of abuse and how to get support.
Coercive control
An abuser may not be physically violent, but use threats of violence, intimidation, and manipulation to make a person feel controlled, fearful, exploited, and isolated from support.
Emotional abuse
Is sometimes called psychological abuse and involves the emotional mistreatment of a person. Examples of this are humiliation and constant criticism, threatening, shouting, name calling, making a person feel small and manipulation.
Financial abuse
Is also known as economic abuse and includes controlling a person’s money and finances, taking out loans or credit cards in their name without consent, stopping them from working or keeping the money they earn.
Physical abuse
Involves deliberately hurting or injuring a person. for example, by hitting, punching, biting, throwing things, pulling hair, and holding a person down.
Sexual abuse
Sexual behaviour or a sexual act that is forced upon a person without their consent or by taking advantage of the person.
Honour based abuse and forced marriage
Honour based abuse is a form of domestic abuse which is motivated by the abuser’s perception that a person has brought or may bring ‘dishonour’ or ‘shame’ to themselves, their family or the community. It can take many forms, and can be complex to identify, but centres around the idea of controlling individuals to make them behave in certain ways or subscribe to certain beliefs.