Domestic abuse
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Domestic abuse
Everyone in West Northamptonshire should live safely and experience healthy relationships without the threat of domestic abuse or sexual violence.
We work in partnership with organisations across the county to ensure this ambition.
If you are worried about someone knowing you are on this webpage, you can use this quick exit button to take you to our home page:
Definition of domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse.
A person’s behaviour is labelled domestic abuse if both them and their victim are:
- 16 or over
- personally connected to each other – eg. family members or past or present intimate partners
Behaviour is abusive if it is:
- physical
- emotional
- psychological
- sexual
- financial
This definition includes honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or social background.
Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if:
- A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other
- the behaviour is abusive
Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse
It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
The one constant element of domestic abuse is the abuser's consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the victim.
If you are suffering from physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse, or are being threatened, intimidated or stalked by a current or previous partner or close family member, it’s likely you’re a victim of domestic abuse.
You may be feeling frightened, isolated, ashamed or confused. If you have children, they may be suffering as well, whether they witness abuse or not.
Remember, you are not to blame for what is happening.
You are not alone, and above all you do not have to suffer in silence.
Last updated 13 December 2024