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24 Hour Helpline
0870 2700 123
You may be confused about whether what is happening to you is abuse. This information may help you to understand different forms of abusive behaviour.
If you answer YES to any of the questions below, you could already be in an abusive relationship, or your relationship could become abusive.
You might have answered YES to some of these questions, and may still think that 'it's not that bad', but in a healthy relationship you should feel loved, respected and free to be yourself, not scared, humiliated, pressured or controlled.
Research shows that Domestic Violence is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. Any woman can experience Domestic Violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle.
Domestic Violence can also take place in lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender relationships, and can involve other family members, including children.
Abuse or violence in a relationship is about a pattern of behaviour that one person uses against another to intimidate them and to get them to do what THEY want.
But many people people don't realise that the sort of behaviour described here is actually abusive. Abuse is not just about physical violence. Emotioanl, financial or sexual abuse can be just as harmful.
Usually research shows that in relationships, males are most likely to be the abusers. However we recognise that females can also be abusive, in lesbian and straight relationships.
Sometimes people call this sort of abuse domestic violence.
Even when severe abuse is taking place, jealous and possessive behaviour can be mistaken for love.
But this kind of treatment is about control, not love.
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Registered Charity Number: 505728
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