This is the most common form of abuse and can cause lasting harm. It is when someone deliberately used words or acts in a way to hurt, frighten, belittle or undermine a person. The abuser may also try and confuse their victim and make them feel as though they are losing their mind. This is known as “Gaslighting”. It can also include name calling, making threats, accusing you of infidelity, blaming you for the abuse.

Exerting control through economic autonomy. For example: checking your bank statements, stealing money, insisting you take loans out, getting you into debt, preventing you or forcing you to go to work.

This is a criminal offence and is used by abusers to instill fear, humiliation, intimidation and cause high dependency on the abuser. Examples include: isolating you from friends and family, forcing you to take part in criminal or illegal activity, monitoring what you do/where you go/who you speak with, depriving you of basic needs, threatening suicide.

Is any type of physical force or violence. It can escalate over time and result in serious injury or death. Examples of physical abuse are: kicking, pushing, slapping, hair pulling, strangulation, spitting, throwing objects, forcing you to take drugs.

This is now increasingly easy for abusers to use. Examples include: demanding access to your phone, using Alexa as listening device, using tracking Apps on your vehicle, sharing images of you online – known as “Intimate Image Based Abuse” or “Revenge Porn”.

Domestic related stalking is fixated, unwanted and obsessive attention that may cause fear or frustration. It may be a current or ex partner.

To begin with these incidents could appear to be innocent or romantic, such as receiving flowers or gifts however this behaviour can increase over time and become violent and physically abusive. It can include: continuous/relentless calls, texts and emails, following you, turning up uninvited/loitering around your home, place of work, family/friends, contacting people in your close circle, making multiple fake online accounts to contact you, identity theft, property damage.

This is now increasingly easy for abusers to use. Examples include: demanding access to your phone, using Alexa as listening device, using tracking Apps on your vehicle, sharing images of you online – known as “Intimate Image Based Abuse” or “Revenge Porn”.

Is when you face physical or emotional pressure to marry someone you don’t want to, this is different to “arranged marriage” . Family members pressuring forced marriage may use tactics like: threats to kill you, telling you that your family will be poor if you don’t marry, saying you will bring shame on the family, that it is approved by religious leaders, if you are gay they may claim this is a sin and you must marry the opposite sex

An incident or crime committed to allegedly protect or defend honour of the community. In which they may restrict your movement, only being allowed out with a chaperone, claiming your friends are a “bad influence” or you are becoming “too western”, being denied access to your passport/documentsIs when you face physical or emotional pressure to marry someone you don’t want to, this is different to “arranged marriage” .

Family members pressuring forced marriage may use tactics like: threats to kill you, telling you that your family will be poor if you don’t marry, saying you will bring shame on the family, that it is approved by religious leaders, if you are gay they may claim this is a sin and you must marry the opposite sex

FGM means cutting, piercing, removing or sewing closed any part of a girl’s or woman’s genitals with no medical reason. FGM usually involves parents or other relatives performing the violation or giving permission for someone else to do so and can therefore be considered a form of domestic abuse. FGM is illegal, has no health benefits and can often result in long-term health problems.