Domestic Abuse

What Ms Hooton has to say …

Domestic Abuse

Short Definition:

Domestic abuse is sometimes called ‘domestic violence’ and it can involve an adult threatening, bullying or hurting another adult in their family or who they’re in a relationship with.
Young people can directly or indirectly experience domestic abuse too, as a result of the hurt that an adult is causing another adult in their family. It can make you feel unsafe. Witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse.

Domestic abuse can happen inside and outside of the home, it can happen over the phone or online using the internet or social media. It can happen in any relationship and in any family and can continue once a relationship is over.

If an important adult in your life is acting this way toward another adult who is important to you, you may be feeling frightened, anxious, sad or angry. It is important to remember that it is not your fault, and that you can ask for help.

If you are experiencing Domestic Abuse call:

CHILDLINE: 08001111, or sign up so you can chat online and send messages (09:00 – midnight)

POLICE: if it’s an emergency, call 999. If you can’t speak, listen to the questions and tap or cough to answer. Press 55 to signal an emergency.

Signs of Domestic Abuse

• Kicking, punching, hitting
• Threatening to kill someone or hurt them
• Controlling behaviour, like telling someone where they can go and what they can wear
• Controlling someone’s finances by withholding money or stopping someone going to work
• Making someone feel guilty, criticising them or making them feel small and stopping them from standing up for themselves
• Reading emails, text messages or letters
• Making someone do something sexual when they don’t want to.

Ms Hooton’s Useful Tips:

• Ask for help. Talk to a trusted adult and talk about how you are feeling. Tell them where you are and what has happened. So they can help you in the best way.
• Send a message to someone you trust. Tell them where you are and what happened.
• Call Childline and talk about how you are feeling. Tell them where you are and what happened.
• Keep yourself safe at home. Go to a safe place.