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:
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.