Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members – regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional.

• This definition includes issues such as so-called ‘honour-based violence‘ (HBV), female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage (FM).
• Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in-laws or stepfamily.
• Cross Governmental Definition of Domestic Abuse.

Information on vital support for survivors living with domestic abuse during COVID-19 can be found here: https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/vital-support-for-survivors-living-with-domestic-abuse-during-covid-19/