Domestic Violence – Are you a victim?

Domestic violence is the set pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner.

Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused. The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. It can begin at any stage of the relationship. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. Whilst domestic violence happens in all relationships (heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), statistics show the vast majority of domestic violence incidents are carried out by men and experienced by women.

Domestic violence is a crime. We all have a role to play in bringing domestic violence to an end.

According to Refuge, if a woman is forced to change her behaviour because she is frightened of her partner then she is being abused. Please read the below signs of Domestic violence, if you are experiencing any of it you may be a victim:

· Is he jealous and possessive?

· Does he cut her off from family and friends and try to isolate her?

· Is he charming one minute and abusive the next? Does he have sudden changes of mood – like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

· Does he control her life – for example, her money, who she should see, what she should wear?

· Does he monitor her movements?

· Does he blame her for the abuse?

· Does he humiliate or insult her in front of others?

· Does he verbally abuse her?

· Does he constantly criticise her?

· Does he use anger and intimidation to frighten her and make her comply with his demands?

· Does he tell her she’s useless and couldn’t cope without him?

· Has he threatened to hurt her or people close to her if she leaves?

· Does she change her behaviour to avoid making him angry?

· Does he force her to have sex when she doesn’t want to?

There are many different ways of being abusive. Here are a few examples:

· Damaging a woman’s possessions

· Smashing up the furniture

· Threatening to harm or kill the pets

· Threatening to kidnap or get custody of the children if she leaves

· Locking her out of the house during an argument

· Terrorising her by driving fast or through red lights at high speed because he knows it frightens her

Right education and information can help women to understand the techniques abusive men frequently use to carry out the abuse. Many women forgive their abusive partners only to be hit much harder the second time. Know the signs and be warned and be  forearmed.

If you need help please contact us via our contact form here.

Please call 999 if you are in immediate danger.