What is domestic abuse?

Are You Abused

Domestic abuse is the physical, mental and/or sexual abuse of a woman by someone with whom she is or has been in a relationship. Domestic abuse also affects the children living in the house and there are links between domestic abuse and all forms of child abuse. Physical abuse can include slapping, punching, strangling, using weapons, scalding, burning.

Mental abuse can include humiliation and degradation, keeping the woman from contact with her family and friends, threats against the woman or her children, name-calling. Sexual abuse can include being forced to take part in sex acts against her will, being sexually assaulted with objects, being raped.

Any woman can be abused, there is no "typical abused woman". It is likely that we all know women who have been abused. In Women's Aid, we see women from all backgrounds, all ages, all sections of society. Children and young people also experience domestic abuse, either by seeing or hearing their mother's abuse, or by being abused themselves. Research shows that 1 in 4 women experience abuse at some time in their lives. In Scotland, in 2000-2001, Women's Aid groups received almost 60,000 requests for help. Are you in any way ill-treated or frightened by the man you live with? For further information click on the arrows.

For Information on Getting Help and Surviving Domestic Abuse Click Here Are you abused? Effects on children Difficulty in leaving an abusive relationship Myths and reality relating to abuse What causes domestic abuse? Who might abuse? Safety strategies Legal resources Early warning signals for future abuse Power and Control Wheel Equality Wheel Bill of Rights Top