Domestic Abuse

By this, we mean any form of coercive, controlling or abusive behaviour by an intimate partner, or ex-partner, or family member. This includes:

• Physical abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Violent or threatening behaviour
• Coercive control
• Financial and economic abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Online abuse
• Harassment and stalking

This is not an exhaustive list.

You are not alone. 74% of the people we supported last year experienced some form of domestic abuse.

Who perpetrates domestic abuse?

For abuse to be defined as “domestic abuse”, the perpetrator must be “personally connected” to the victim. For example, a partner, ex-partner, family member or a carer.

Children and young people who have witnessed domestic abuse within their household are recognised as victims in their own right.

The state definition of domestic abuse only focuses on intimate partner abuse between individuals aged 16 and over. However, at SAASS we recognise that domestic abuse can happen much earlier in life and we will support a survivor regardless of the age.

In the last year, we supported survivors of domestic abuse between the ages of 5 and 90. There is no upper limit, and it’s never too late to get support.

Whilst domestic abuse is more prevalent for women (1 in 4 women*), 1 in 7 men* will also experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. In the last year, 78% of the survivors we supported were women, 20% were men and 2% were trans or non-binary.

We are the leading organisation for men who have experienced any form of domestic or sexual abuse in the Thames Valley, you can find out more about our specialist support here. 

*Statistics taken from the National Centre for Domestic Violence: https://www.ncdv.org.uk/domestic-abuse-statistics-uk/

Does there have to be physical contact for it to be domestic abuse?

Perpetrators are increasingly using technology and in almost all cases we see, there is some form of online abuse even when there is also physical (“offline”) abuse. 

There are many forms of domestic abuse where the victim is not physically touched by the perpetrator. This can include, but is not limited to, harassment, online threats, surveillance or controlling a victim’s access to devices, and stalking and voyeurism.

Online domestic abuse can feel inescapable, and survivors may not know where to turn. We want you to know that all the support available at SAASS is available to you regardless of whether you were physically touched or not.