Domestic abuse

Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.

Domestic abuse can include

• coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
• psychological and/or emotional abuse
• physical or sexual abuse
• financial abuse
• harassment and stalking
• online or digital abuse
• female genital mutilation
• honour-based violence

The above list is not exhaustive. Domestic abuse can include many other behaviours.

Although women are more likely to experience multiple incidents of abuse, men can be affected by it too and can find it harder to report it.

Domestic abuse can occur between partners, but also between other family members, such as siblings or parents and children. It also includes honour based crimes, such as forced marriage.

Children are victims of domestic abuse, rather than not silent observers. Often, parents downplay the impact on DA on children, but they were officially recognised as victims under the new definition enacted in 2021.

For further information see Women’s Aid or the Men’s Advice Line.

There are a variety of services in Hackney and the City which can help support you.

How are children affected?

Children’s mental health can suffer long term effects if they witness abuse between their caregivers. Shouting, arguing, threats of violence make children anxious and fearful and they can become angry themselves or hide away. Many women and men can experience depression and anxiety if they are in an abusive relationship. It is also important that the primary care giver protects the children from harm and witnessing the abuse.

Getting help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please speak to your health visitor. We support many families experiencing domestic abuse and can give you ongoing support. We can also help you access advice from independent domestic abuse experts and the police if needed. Our team may ask you a set of questions from the Routine Domestic Abuse Assessment to assess your situation.

Watch the video below to see how you can access the ‘Ask for ANI’ initiative. Please note it doesn’t have any sound.