Childrens Pages

What is domestic abuse?

 

Domestic abuse (also called domestic violence) is when one grown-up hurts another grown-up in the same family who is or was their partner. It can happen in many different types of relationships. Domestic abuse can happen when people are married or when they are boyfriend and girlfriend.


Most commonly (but not always) it is the man who hurts the woman. While domestic abuse happens most commonly between adults, the children and young people in the family can also be affected by the abuse they witness and sometimes they too can be physically hurt or bullied.

 

Domestic abuse can be:

 

  • Physical: such as punching, kicking, slapping, biting or pulling hair 
  • Emotional/verbal: which could include name calling, insults, being stalked and saying things to frighten the person
  • Sexual: includes making a person do sexual things they don’t want to do
  • Financial: when someone’s money is taken away from them or they are not allowed get a job

 

Grown-ups can use domestic abuse to control other people. Domestic abuse happens in many families so if it is happening in yours remember that you are not alone and it is not your fault! Everyone has the right to be safe.

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