What is domestic violence?
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence
The Government defines domestic violence as any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called 'honour killings.'
Domestic violence is under reported, but research shows that
- one in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime
- 89 percent of those suffering four or more incidents are women
- one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute
- on average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner
- domestic violence accounts for 16 percent of all violent crime
Domestic violence is essentially a pattern of behaviour which is characterised by the exercise of control and the misuse of power by one person, usually a man, over another, usually a woman, within the context of an intimate relationship. It can be manifested in a variety of ways, including but not restricted to, physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse, and the imposition of social isolation and is most commonly a combination of them all.
Domestic violence is unacceptable. Southwark Council have a policy of supporting victims of domestic violence. We work with the police and other agencies to give support and practical help to victims. We also provide housing options to support victims of domestic violence.
