What is Abuse
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline provides information and signposting to those affected by Domestic and Sexual Abuse across Northern Ireland.
Call us now on 0808 802 1414
or email help@dsahelpline.org
What is Abuse
Everyone has arguments, and everyone disagrees with their partners, family members and others close to them from time to time. And we all do things at times that we regret, and which cause unhappiness to those we care about. But if this begins to form a consistent pattern, then it is an indication of domestic violence and abuse.
The definition of Domestic Violence and Abuse is: ‘threatening, controlling, coercive behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, virtual, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on anyone (irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability) by a current or former intimate partner or family member’.
The definition of Sexual Violence and Abuse is: ‘any behaviour (physical, psychological, verbal, virtual/online) perceived to be of a sexual nature which is controlling, coercive, exploitative, harmful, or unwanted that is inflicted on anyone (irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability).’
Types of Abuse
Intimate partner violence
Coercive control
Stalking
Sexual Violence
Financial abuse
Online domestic abuse
Intimate partner violence
Intimate partner violence refers to behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object.”
Coercive control
Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse involves a perpetrator using or misusing money which limits and controls their partner’s current and future actions and their freedom of choice. It can include using credit cards without permission, putting contractual obligations in their partner’s name, and gambling with family assets.
Stalking
Stalking is a pattern of persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered, scared, anxious or harassed. Taken in isolation, some of the behaviours may seem like small acts, but together they make up a consistent pattern of behaviour that is frightening and upsetting. It is important to know that stalking is a criminal offence and because of this, if you go to the police, they will take it seriously. Some examples of stalking are: Regularly giving unwanted gifts; making unwanted communication damaging property; repeatedly following you or spying on you; threats.
Online domestic abuse
Online domestic abuse can include behaviours such as monitoring of social media profiles or emails, abuse over social media such as Facebook or Twitter, sharing intimate photos or videos without your consent, using GPs locators or spyware
Leaving the Situation
By understanding the many barriers that stand in the way of a person leaving an abusive relationship – be it psychological, emotional, financial or physical threats – we can begin to support and empowers abuse victims to make the best decision for them while holding abusers solely accountable for their behaviour. Here are just a few of the reasons that prevent a person from leaving:
Danger and fear
One of the most important reasons people do not leave is because it can be incredibly dangerous. The fear that an abuse victim can feel is very real – there is a huge rise in the likelihood of violence after separation.
Isolation
Domestic abuse often relies on isolating the victim: the perpetrator works to weaken connections with family and friends, making it extremely difficult to seek support. Perpetrators will often try and reduce a person’s contact with the outside world to prevent them from recognising that the behaviour is abusive and wrong. Isolation leads the person to become extremely dependent on their controlling partner.
Shame, embarrassment or denial
Perpetrators are often well respected or liked in their communities because they are charming and manipulative. This prevents people recognising the abuse and isolates the person further. The perpetrator often minimises, denies, or blames the abuse on the person. The person may be ashamed or make excuses to themselves and others to cover up the abuse.
Trauma and low confidence
Imagine being told every day that you are worthless and the impact that this has on your self-esteem. People in an abusive relationship have very limited freedom to make decisions, they are often traumatised, regularly told ‘you couldn’t manage on your own, you need me’. Fear is constant and they live in a world of everyday terror.
Practical reasons
Abusers often control every aspect of their victim’s life – making it impossible to have a job or financial independence. By controlling access to money people are left unable to support themselves or their children. They may fear having their children taken away or, if there is an insecure immigration status, may fear being deported.
Asking for help is not easy. Misunderstandings about domestic abuse often prevents professionals from knowing what to do, how to talk about it or where to direct people disclosing abuse.
Supporting a Victim
Leaving an environment where abuse is occurring or has occurred takes courage but support is available from seeking space in a pharmacy consulting room to make a private phone call to a free transportation system offered by Translink which can be arranged by the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline.
There are a number of ways you can support a victim by offering them a safe space to confide in you or tell them you have concerns about their well being but most importantly listen and believe them. Trust what they say.
Opening up may be a very emotional and traumatic time for the individual. They may blame themselves. It is important you support them and reassure them that it is not their fault.
Encourage them to get support from the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline and remind them there is a way out.
Reassure them they are doing the right thing and support them to ensure they are not alone.