Domestic abuse

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts performed by the abuser and designed to make their victim subordinate and / or dependent. 

These acts include but are not limited to:  

• isolating the victim from sources of support  
• exploiting the victim's resources and capacities for personal gain  
• depriving the victim of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape  
• regulating the victim's everyday behaviour  

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse. 

It is used by the abuser to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.  

Physical abuse is the use of physical force against someone in a way that injures or endangers that person. The police have the power and authority to protect you from physical attack.  

Sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse. Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and violence.  

Just because you’re not battered and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often minimised or overlooked – even by the person being abused.

Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse such as yelling, name-calling, blaming, and shaming. Isolation, intimidation, and controlling behaviour also fall under emotional abuse.  

Stalking and harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened.

Stalking is a form of harassment, but the stalker will have an obsession with the person they're targeting, and their repeated, unwanted behaviour can make the victim feel distressed or scared.    

Stalking may include:  

• following someone
• going uninvited to their home
• hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits
• watching or spying on someone
• identity theft (signing-up to services, buying things in someone's name)
• writing or posting online about someone if it's unwanted or the person doesn't know

Harassment may include:

• sending abusive text messages or images
• posting abusive messages on social media
• neighbour disputes that involve abusive behaviour or damage to property
• repeated antisocial behaviour
• making unwanted or offensive phone calls

If you are worried about yourself or anyone you know who is at risk, help and support is available.  

Suzy Lamplugh Trust – telephone 0808 802 0300

Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Service – telephone 0203 866 4107

Northamptonshire Police provide guidance on stalking and harassment.

Harmful 'traditional' practices are forms of violence which have been committed primarily against women and girls in communities and societies for so long that they are considered, or presented by perpetrators, as part of accepted 'cultural' practice.

The most common are forced or early marriage, so called 'honour' based violence, female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM).

Honour-based abuse

Honour Based Abuse is a form of Domestic Abuse which is motivated by the abuser’s perception that a person has brought or may bring ‘dishonour’ or ‘shame’ to themselves, their family or the community. 

It can take many forms, and can be complex to identify, but centres around the idea of controlling individuals to make them behave in certain ways or subscribe to certain beliefs.  

Types of honour-based abuse include:  

• forced marriage
• domestic abuse (physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial)  
• sexual Harassment and sexual violence (rape and sexual assault or the threat of)  
• threats to kill, physical and emotional violence and murder
• pressure to go or move abroad
• being kept at home with no freedom  
• not allowed to use the telephone, internet, or have access to important documents like your passport or birth certificate
• isolation from friends and members of your own family  

If you are worried about yourself or anyone you know who is at risk, help and support is available.  

Karma Nirvana runs the national Honour-based Abuse Helpline. Call 0800 5999 247 or visit their website.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female Genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.” 

All women and girls have the right to control what happens to their bodies and have the right to say no to FGM.  

If you are worried about yourself or anyone you know who is at risk help and support is available.  

If you are in immediate danger, contact the police immediately by dialling 999.  

If you are concerned that someone may be at risk, contact Serenity by calling 01604 601713.  

You can also contact NSPCC on 0800 028 3550 or e-mail [email protected]

Forced Marriage

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence, or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example, if you’re made to feel like you’re bringing shame on your family).  

Forced marriage is where someone is forced to marry against their will, usually by parents, family, or religious leaders.  

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:  

• taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)  
• arranging a marriage for someone who lacks mental capacity (whether they’re pressured to or not)  
• arranging a marriage for someone before they turn 18  

If you are worried about yourself or anyone you know who is at risk, help and support is available. You can contact the Forced Marriage Unit:  

• email [email protected]
• telephone: 020 7008 0151
• telephone from overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 0151

The Forced Marriage Unit is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.  

Their out of hours telephone number is 020 7008 5000.