What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening or violent behaviour. Domestic abuse can include female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and so-called honour-based violence  Domestic Abuse can affect anyone.

Domestic violence and abuse may also be sexual in nature and involve sexual violence. Domestic abuse is not just about a person hitting or threatening their partner. It can include a whole range of things including belittling, constant criticism, isolating someone from their friends and family, sexual abuse and financial control.
The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

It can take place in all sorts of relationships, including marriages and partnerships and between close family members. It often continues after a relationship has ended. Domestic abuse is made worse by the fact it is usually perpetrated by someone you care about and by the fact it happens over and over again.

Domestic abuse is disproportionately experienced by women and you can read more about gender and domestic abuse.

If you are worried that you or a friend may be experiencing domestic abuse, you might find it helpful to read IDAS' information on red flags and warning signs.

Whether the person doing this to you is a fellow student or not, the University of York is here to support you, and will help you to report to the relevant  authorities if you wish. No one should have to accept violence or control in their lives and you are not to blame for what is happening to you.

I'm worried about someone knowing I have been looking at these pages.