Domestic Abuse & Family Safety

Understanding Domestic Abuse, Family Safety and Legal Protections Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, relationship status or socio-economic background. Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. It can involve patterns of behaviour used to control, intimidate, isolate, exploit or harm another person. This page provides general information about domestic abuse, legal protections, support services, safeguarding responsibilities and individual rights under UK law. This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Understanding Domestic Abuse

What is Domestic Abuse?

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse can include:

• Physical abuse.
• Violent or threatening behaviour.
• Coercive or controlling behaviour.
• Emotional or psychological abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Financial or economic abuse.
• Harassment and stalking.
• Technology-facilitated abuse.

Domestic abuse can occur between:

• Current partners.
• Former partners.
• Family members.
• Spouses.
• Civil partners.
• Individuals who share parental responsibility.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/17/contents

Government Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

Coercive Control

What is Coercive or Controlling Behaviour?

Coercive control involves repeated behaviour designed to dominate, isolate or control another person.

Examples may include:

• Restricting contact with family or friends.
• Monitoring communications.
• Controlling finances.
• Making threats.
• Constant criticism or humiliation.
• Restricting freedom of movement.
• Monitoring online activity.

Coercive control is a criminal offence in certain circumstances.

CPS Guidance

https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/controlling-or-coercive-behaviour-intimate-or-family-relationship

Emotional Abuse

Understanding Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse may involve:

• Intimidation.
• Humiliation.
• Manipulation.
• Gaslighting.
• Threats.
• Persistent criticism.
• Isolation.

Emotional abuse can have serious effects on mental health and wellbeing even where no physical violence occurs.

Everyone has the right to live free from psychological abuse and degrading treatment.

Physical Abuse

Physical Violence

Physical abuse may include:

• Assault.
• Hitting.
• Punching.
• Kicking.
• Strangulation.
• Restraining.
• Use of weapons.
• Damage to property intended to intimidate.

Physical abuse is a criminal matter and should be reported where appropriate.

Emergency Assistance

Call 999 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Violence and Abuse

Sexual abuse can occur within any relationship.

Consent must be:

• Freely given.
• Informed.
• Ongoing.
• Capable of being withdrawn at any time.

Sexual abuse may include:

• Rape.
• Sexual assault.
• Coercion into sexual activity.
• Reproductive coercion.
• Sharing intimate images without consent.

Rape Crisis England & Wales

https://rapecrisis.org.uk

NHS Sexual Assault Information

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault

Financial Abuse

Economic and Financial Control

Financial abuse may involve:

• Restricting access to money.
• Taking wages or benefits.
• Creating debt in another person's name.
• Controlling spending.
• Preventing employment or education.

Financial abuse is recognised under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Money Advice Service

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Post-Separation Abuse

Abuse After a Relationship Ends

Abuse may continue following separation through:

• Harassment.
• Stalking.
• Manipulation involving children.
• Excessive legal applications.
• Monitoring activities.
• Financial control.

Ending a relationship does not always end abusive behaviour.

Support remains available even after separation.

Child Contact & Domestic Abuse

Children's Welfare

When family courts consider arrangements for children, the welfare of the child is the court's paramount consideration.

The court may consider:

• Domestic abuse allegations.
• Safeguarding concerns.
• Risks to children.
• Emotional wellbeing.
• Existing protective measures.

Children Act 1989

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/contents

Family Court Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/represent-yourself-in-court/child-arrangements

Cafcass

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk

Honour-Based Abuse

Understanding Honour-Based Abuse

Honour-based abuse refers to harmful behaviours carried out to protect perceived family or community honour.

This may include:

• Violence.
• Coercion.
• Isolation.
• Threats.
• Forced marriage.
• Restrictions on personal freedoms.

Abuse cannot be justified by culture, religion, tradition or community expectations.

Karma Nirvana

https://karmanirvana.org.uk

Helpline:

0800 5999 247

Forced Marriage

Forced Marriage

A forced marriage occurs when one or both parties do not freely consent and pressure, threats or abuse are used.

Forced marriage is illegal.

This differs from an arranged marriage where both individuals freely agree.

Forced Marriage Unit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage

Telephone:

020 7008 0151

Stalking

Understanding Stalking

Stalking involves repeated unwanted behaviour causing fear, alarm or distress.

Examples include:

• Following someone.
• Monitoring social media.
• Repeated unwanted contact.
• Tracking devices.
• Surveillance.
• Sending unwanted gifts.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust

https://www.suzylamplugh.org

National Stalking Helpline

https://www.stalkinghelpline.org

Telephone:

0808 802 0300

Harassment

Harassment involves repeated conduct which causes alarm, distress or fear.

Examples include:

• Persistent messages.
• Threats.
• Abuse.
• Online harassment.
• Workplace harassment.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents

Safety Planning

Creating a Personal Safety Plan

Safety planning helps individuals consider practical measures to increase safety.

A safety plan may include:

• Emergency contacts.
• Safe locations.
• Important documents.
• Emergency funds.
• Trusted family or friends.
• Access to support services.
• Technology safety measures.

Every situation is different and plans should be tailored to individual circumstances.

Women's Aid Safety Planning

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/the-survivors-handbook

Clare's Law

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Clare's Law allows individuals to request information about whether a current or former partner may have a history of violent or abusive behaviour.

There are two routes:

Right to Ask

An individual requests information.

Right to Know

Police may proactively disclose information where necessary to protect someone from harm.

Official Information

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-violence-disclosure-scheme-clares-law

Protection Orders

Legal Protections Available

Courts may grant protective orders where legal requirements are met.

Examples include:

Non-Molestation Orders

Can prohibit harassment, threats or abuse.

Occupation Orders

Can regulate who lives in a family home.

Stalking Protection Orders

Can impose restrictions to protect victims of stalking.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders

Available in certain circumstances under relevant legislation.

Restraining Orders

May be issued by criminal courts following proceedings.

Government Information

https://www.gov.uk/injunction-domestic-violence

Support Services

Domestic Abuse Support

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Telephone:

0808 2000 247

Women's Aid

https://www.womensaid.org.uk

Refuge

https://www.refuge.org.uk

Men's Advice Line

https://mensadviceline.org.uk

Telephone:

0808 801 0327

Galop (LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Support)

https://galop.org.uk

Human Rights, Equality and Safeguarding

Individuals affected by abuse have rights under UK law including:

• Right to life.
• Protection from inhuman or degrading treatment.
• Respect for private and family life.
• Access to justice.
• Freedom from discrimination.
• Protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Relevant legislation may include:

• Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
• Human Rights Act 1998.
• Equality Act 2010.
• Children Act 1989.
• Children Act 2004.
• Care Act 2014.
• Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
• Serious Crime Act 2015.
• Data Protection Act 2018.

Public authorities should act lawfully, fairly, proportionately and in accordance with safeguarding duties.

Important Notice

This website provides general information only and does not provide legal advice, counselling, crisis 

intervention or emergency services.

If you are in immediate danger call 999.

If you require legal advice, seek assistance from a qualified solicitor, accredited legal adviser or

appropriate professional service.

Information official government, statutory and professional sources as laws and procedures may change.