Domestic Abuse is defined as behaviour towards another person, if each are aged over 16, and are personally connected to each other which is abusive.
Abusive behaviour is any of the following;
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Violent or threatening behaviour
- Physical abuse or sexual abuse
- Psychological abuse, emotional abuse or other abuse
- Financial abuse or economic abuse
Behaviour may be an incident or series of events
Being personally connected to another means :
- They are, or have been, married/civil partners or have agreed to marry
- They are or have been in an intimate/sexual relationship with each other
- They are relatives
Men, women and those who identify as non-binary can be affected by domestic abuse and it can happen in any relationship – heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, old or young.
Connected people do not need to have or be currently living together.
(Domestic Abuse Act 2021)
Definition of coercive or controlling behaviour: This is described as controlling or coercive behaviour which is as an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
This behaviour can include isolating a person from their friends and family, monitoring their time or using electronic or communication systems to do this, controlling their everyday life.
Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that pervades all elements of a victim’s life. It works to limit their human rights by depriving them of their liberty and reducing their ability to act.
(Serious Crime Act 2015, Section 76; Women’s Aid 2025)