Domestic abuse

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, creates a statutory definition of domestic abuse, which 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 or emotional – for example, victim-blaming, name-calling, belittling
• physical – for example, hurting or threatening to hurt physically
• sexual – for example, forced to take part in unwanted, unsafe or degrading activity
• economic – for example, restricting finances or access to work, getting a victim into debt
• coercive control – for example, isolating, monitoring, threats, humiliation.

Domestic abuse on people who are 'personally connected'

The Act also recognises the impact of domestic abuse on those who are ‘personally connected’ and defines what is meant by this as:

• intimate partners
• ex-partners
• family members
• individuals who share parental responsibility for a child.

There is no requirement for the victim and perpetrator to live in the same household.

Children

The Domestic Abuse Act recognises that a child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of domestic abuse and is related to the person being abused or to the perpetrator is a victim of domestic abuse in their own right.

More information

You can find further information on domestic abuse from Derby City Council.