Domestic abuse is, “an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.” (What is domestic abuse?)
Domestic abuse can impact anyone regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age or disability. It has found to be prevalent in many different relationships including heterosexual, same sex relationships and relationships between family members. Perpetrators and victims come from all different walks of life, but people’s experiences of domestic abuse can differ greatly.
Domestic abuse can include a huge range of different experiences and behaviours and does not always include violence. The most commonly experienced types of abuse include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional/psychological abuse
- Financial or economic abuse
- Online or digital abuse
- Harassment and stalking
- Coercive control (an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim)
Domestic abuse can happen both inside and outside the home and is not always limited to people in relationships. Indeed, much harassment and stalking is perpetrated by ex-partners of victims. As such, domestic abuse is a very complex issue and victims may not always recognise that they have experiencing or are experiencing domestic abuse. Indeed, in many cases where emotional and psychological abuse has occurred, victims may blame themselves and think they are the problem.
Domestic abuse can have a huge impact on victims and the people around them. It often leads to victims feeling isolated from friends and family, they may lose their confidence and self-esteem, feel worthless and experience mental health issues as a result of the abuse.
Witnessing domestic abuse can also have a significant impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Children witnessing domestic abuse often experience anxiety, have trouble sleeping and may develop challenging behaviour.
The University of Salford finds abuse of any kind unacceptable and is committed to supporting students who are experiencing any forms of abuse, bullying and harassment.
If you have experienced any form of abuse, whether this be from another student, family member or anyone else, you can report this using Report and Support.
You can report abuse anonymously but please be aware, that the support we can offer may be limited if you do so.
You can also use Report and Support to report concerns for someone else you think may be experiencing abuse.
You can also use Report and Support to report concerns for someone else you think may be experiencing abuse.
You can report abuse anonymously but please be aware, that the support we can offer may be limited if you do so.