Wear Valley Women’s Aid - More Information

What is Domestic Abuse

You may be more familiar with the term ‘Domestic Violence’. Both terms are widely used to describe any form of abuse against women and children, perpetrated (committed) by a member or members of the family, a partner, an ex-partner or friend.

Some people feel that the term ‘Domestic Violence’ is limiting, in that it only describes physical abuse such as:

Whereas, some women and children may be treated badly and hurt in other ways, so many organisations and professionals changed the term to ‘Domestic Abuse’.

The ways in which women and children are treated vary enormously. To help people to identify what Domestic Abuse actually is, it is often broken down into categories.

  1. Physical Abuse (examples above)
  2. Emotional Abuse, such as:
    • Name-calling
    • Trying to break your confidence and self-esteem (saying you are worthless or that you are incapable of finding a better job etc)
    • Keeping track of your movements – asking where you have been and timing shopping trips, for example
  3. Financial Abuse, such as:
    • Taking control of your money
    • Claiming your benefits without your consent
    • Asking you for receipts
  4. Sexual Abuse, such as:
    • Putting extreme pressure on you to have sex or engage in sexual activity
    • Using sexual acts to degrade you (e.g. involving other men), leaving you feeling humiliated
    • Persuading you to have sex in exchange for money or rewards
    • Only showing affection in order to get what he wants
  5. Stalking, i.e.
    • Following you or members of your family
    • Tracking your mail
    • Accessing your email accounts or social networking websites, without your permission
    • Telephoning frequently
    • Demanding you explain your movements

Whilst these categories do help people to identify types of domestic abuse, it is important to remember that all abusive acts are emotionally abusive, even if they come under other categories. For example, sexual abuse usually affects victims’ emotions and mental health for a long time. Those who subject others to domestic abuse intend to control and scare them. They want to make others feel terrified and upset through their abusive behaviour and, while they might hurt women and children physically, they will hurt them emotionally. It is important to remember that women and children may feel depressed, scared and low in confidence for a long time a fter experiencing Domestic Abuse.

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Wear Valley Women’s Aid – more than just a safe place

It is estimated that at least one in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives. This is an important issue that needs to be dealt with and should not be hidden. Do not suffer in silence. It is important to know that you have options, no person deserves to be victimised and mistreated.

Domestic abuse is very much a gendered crime, with over 98% of reported instances perpetrated by men victimising women. This is why WVWA is a service for women rather than men and women. Further reading.