Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is when a person tries to control, hurt or bully another they are in a relationship with. It’s closely linked to child abuse and it’s possible that some children and young people are caused harm by living in an environment where domestic abuse occurs.

The first step is to understand the abuse and to change what is happening:

Physical Abuse is when someone is violent or threatens you with violence, including pushing, hitting, punching, scaring you by driving dangerously or smashing things around you.
Emotional Abuse is when someone puts you down or humiliates you. They could check up on you and stop you from seeing friends and family.
Sexual Abuse is when someone forces or pressures you to do sexual things that you don’t want to do. This includes rape, touching you in ways that make you feel uncomfortable, making you watch pornography or taking sexualised pictures of you
Financial Abuse is when someone prevents you from having your own money, or making your own financial decisions. They may buy everything for you and make you give them any money you earn. You could prevent you from having your own job.
Honour Based Violence is when family, friends and communities seek to “punish” a person for what they think is disrespectful and/or shameful to their culture or religion.

It is against the law for someone to physically hurt you, threaten to hurt you, or sexually abuse you. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or living in an environment where domestic abuse is affecting you, you should talk to someone such as a friend, teacher, relative or contact a helpline or web site.

If you are in danger, call 999 – Always

Signs of an abusive relationship are:

The other person doesn’t let you spend time with friends and family
You always feel like you need to watch what you say and do
You are not allowed to make your own decisions
You are scared to say ‘no’
You are put down and humiliated
You are hurt, threatened or told that the other person will harm themselves because of you

One of your parents or carers being abused?

Keep safe. Find a place in the house you can go when things get hard at home
Tell someone you can trust, like a teacher, friend or call one of the helplines listed

Are you being abused?

Remember – it’s not your fault
The person who abused you is to blame
You have the right to feel safe at home
Don’t suffer in silence, even if you might be worried about telling someone
Tell someone you can trust – a parent/carer, teacher, friend or a helpline

Who To Contact...

Welsh Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 8010 800
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
WomensAid

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