Domestic abuse
ANYONE can become a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
Domestic abuse or abuse is defined as any coercive or violent behaviour within a family or relationship, including emotional abuse. This includes violence between a couple, or one family member abusing another. Child abuse falls under this category and happens when a child or young person is harmed, neglected, or bullied by a family member. You do not have to be physically harmed to be abused.
Many victims of domestic abuse feel that they are to blame, but this could not be further from the truth – the ONLY person at fault is the abuser. Abuse in a relationship is never OK.
If you are being abused, physically or emotionally, it is important that you tell someone. The police will take you seriously. You can report to them via the non-emergency number 01624 631212 or use 999 if you are in immediate danger.