If you’re asking yourself this question, it’s important to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right in your relationship, support is available.

Domestic abuse is not only physical violence. It can also be emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, digital, or controlling behaviour. Abuse is often about power and control, and it can leave you feeling anxious, isolated, frightened, or like you are “walking on eggshells.”

Abuse can happen in any relationship and may be caused by a partner, ex-partner, family member, or carer. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, religion, sexuality, or income.

You are not alone, and what you are experiencing is valid.

Signs of Domestic Abuse

You may be experiencing abuse if someone:

• Controls where you go, who you see, or what you do
• Monitors your phone, social media, or online activity
• Constantly criticises, humiliates, or puts you down
• Makes you feel frightened, intimidated, or confused
• Blames you for their behaviour or makes you question yourself
• Controls your money or stops you working or studying
• Pressures or forces you into sexual activity
• Threatens you, your children, pets, or loved ones
• Damages your belongings or harms you physically
• Repeatedly contacts, follows, or harasses you
• Makes you feel trapped, dependent, or afraid to leave

Types of Abuse

Emotional & Psychological Abuse

This can include manipulation, humiliation, threats, intimidation, gaslighting, blaming, or constantly making you feel “not good enough.” Emotional abuse can have a serious and lasting impact on your wellbeing.

Coercive Control

A pattern of behaviour used to control, isolate, or frighten someone. This may include monitoring your movements, restricting your independence, or making you feel responsible for the abuse. Coercive control is a criminal offence in England.

Physical Abuse

Any use of violence or force, including hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, or restraining. Physical abuse often escalates over time.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Sexual Abuse

Any unwanted sexual contact or pressure to engage in sexual activity. Consent must always be freely given. Sexual abuse can happen within relationships and marriage.

Digital Abuse

Using technology to control, monitor, threaten, or intimidate someone. This may include excessive messaging, tracking devices, demanding passwords, or sharing private images without consent.

Economic Abuse

Controlling someone’s access to money, work, housing, education, or essential items. Economic abuse is used to create dependency and make it harder to leave.

Stalking & Harassment

Repeated unwanted behaviour that causes fear or distress, such as persistent messages, unwanted gifts, following someone, or turning up uninvited.

Verbal Abuse

Shouting, insults, threats, humiliation, or constant criticism designed to undermine confidence and self-esteem.

Forced Marriage & Honour-Based Abuse

Pressure, threats, or abuse from family or community members to control behaviour, relationships, sexuality, or marriage choices. Forced marriage is illegal in the UK.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

FGM is the partial or complete removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is illegal in the UK and recognised as abuse and a violation of human rights.

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You Deserve Support

Domestic abuse can affect anyone, and it is never your fault. Whether you are unsure about your situation or ready to seek help, we are here to listen without judgement.

If you would like support, advice, or someone to talk to, please contact the DAVSS team.