Support line: 0117 961 2999 Office line: 0117 961 3065
Free phone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Run in partnership between Women’s Aid & Refuge

What is domestic abuse?


info sessions

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. You are not alone, you are not to blame.

It is our aim to provide you with support, believe what you say and provide a non-judgemental environment in which to support you to recover.

 

 

The term ‘domestic violence and abuse’ is used to mean: any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or are family members.

This includes:

  • psychological
  • physical
  • sexual
  • financial
  • emotional

Anyone can experience domestic violence regardless of sex, race, ethnic or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle. Domestic violence can also take place in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships. Domestic violence can also be perpetrated by other family members (for example, extended family). In some cases, older children – teenagers or young adults – are violent or abusive towards their mothers or other family members.