TYPES OF ABUSE

Definition

At RCT Domestic Abuse Services we define Domestic abuse as the exercise of power and control by one person over another within an intimate or close family relationship. It is usually a pattern of incidents and behaviours of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour and happens regardless of sex, age, class, disability, gender identity, immigration status, ethnicity, geography or religion.

There are many definitions of domestic abuse, however, all agree that power and control underpins all forms of domestic abuse.

Stalking & Harassment

Many people still believe that stalking only happens to famous people and celebrities. This belief is one of the many reasons why stalking still goes unreported. However stalking can happen to anyone….

Coercive Control

A pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse used by one person over another to harm, punish or frighten and ultimately takes away a persons freedom.

Financial Abuse

A form of abuse that involves one person taking control over another’s finances which diminishes the persons ability to support themselves leaving them dependent on the perpetrator.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse within a relationship is understood to be any form of behaviour or threat to physically harm the victim. It often most visible form of domestic abuse. It usually starts slowly and is less obvious to others but quickly escalates over time and can result in death.

Sexual Abuse

Any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse. Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and violence.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse often referred to as emotional or mental abuse is used to intimate, threaten and undermine another person. Psychological abuse can have devastating consequences on relationships and all those involved. Just because there is no physical mark doesn’t mean the abuse isn’t real and isn’t a problem.