Domestic violence

Catalyst Communities Housing Association

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence and abuse is any kind of violence between people who already have a relationship, or have had one in the past, for example husband and wife, former partners or children.

It can take many forms. For example:

• physical violence – hitting, pushing or injuring you
• forcing you to have sex
• threatening you, your children or someone you care about
• swearing and shouting at you
• putting you down, making you feel small
• humiliating you
• keeping you short of money or taking control of your money
• stopping you leaving the house.

Whatever form it takes, domestic violence is rarely a oneoff incident. It can begin at any time during a relationship. Violence tends to happen more often and gets worse over time.

Who experiences domestic violence and abuse?

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and in all kinds of relationships – heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

People suffer domestic violence regardless of their social group, class, age, race, disability, sexuality or lifestyle. Children are often the silent victims. Witnessing domestic violence, or being a victim of it, can badly affect a child’s behaviour, health and schoolwork.

What might increase the risk of violence?

• Trying to leave your partner
• Social isolation – feeling you’re on your own in the community – because you don’t speak English or you have a disability that stops you going out or talking to people
• Misuse of drugs and alcohol.

For more information on domestic violence please download our leaflet below.

 Domestic violence (349 KB / 8 pages)