Are you afraid at home? Are you worried about your children? Do you want to talk?
Domestic abuse is very common; approximately 1.3 million women suffer abuse in some form every year. Domestic abuse can affect anyone and can harm your physical and emotional well-being. If not addressed this can have long-term health consequences.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also be:
- coercive control - this is 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
- economic abuse - financial abuse involves a perpetrator using or misusing money which limits and controls their partner's current and future actions and their freedom of choice
- online abuse
- threats and intimidation
- emotional abuse
- sexual abuse.
Pregnancy can trigger an increase in the frequency and intensity of abuse and many women will experience it for the first time during their pregnancy.
We know that people suffering abuse often want help but feel they cannot speak out; this is why all healthcare staff have been trained to ask you about your relationship and if you feel safe at home. Midwives, GPs, and health visitors will support you and your family offering advice and referral to a specialist worker if this is needed.
They will not make decisions for you but can offer guidance and information so that you can move forward together and keep yourself safe.
Please speak to any health care professional if you need any support or call one of the helpline numbers in the box below.