Defining Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is one form of violence against women. The UN General Assembly defines violence against women as any act of violence by men which results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
The DAP (Bradford District Domestic Abuse Partnership) uses the following definition of domestic abuse:
"Any violent or abusive pattern of behaviour (whether physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, verbal, financial.) which is used by one person to control and dominate another with whom they have or have had a personal or family relationship."
Whilst this definition is gender-neutral, the DAP acknowledges that most domestic abuse is not. Crime statistics and research both show that domestic abuse is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men and that any woman can experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Domestic violence is repetitive, life-threatening, and can destroy the lives of women and children.
Domestic abuse is most commonly perpetrated by partners or ex-partners, although other family members may also be involved, particularly where there is a close extended family network.
In tackling domestic abuse/violence against women, it is necessary to take account of the specific experiences of particular groups of women and to ensure that any action/provision is relevant and appropriate to them. The needs of women and children who experience additional discrimination (for example, black and minority ethnic women and children, women with no recourse to public funds, disabled women and children including those with learning disabilities, older women, lesbians, travellers, refugee women and children and asylum seekers, women and children living in rural areas, women with mental illness or mental health issues and women with addictions) should be mainstreamed through all actions and provisions.
The Domestic Abuse Strategy also recognises the effects of domestic abuse on children: children who witness, or are used in, the abuse of their mothers can experience stress and fear; the experience of domestic abuse may cause children to suffer a range of adverse effects, including physical injury, poor health and an array of psychological difficulties.
This Strategy focuses on domestic abuse perpetrated by men against women and children, as this is overwhelmingly the most common experience. This experience is reflected in the fact that most of the services are specifically provided for women.
However, some men are abused by their women partners and same sex partners can also experience domestic abuse.
Abuse is never acceptable, regardless of the gender of the victim or the perpetrator.
