If you need help right away you can contact the Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline:
0808 2000 247
If you are in an emergency situation please contact 999
If you’re looking for emotional support or assistance with fleeing, our trained advisers are ready to listen and help you navigate your options. Whether you need someone to talk through your feelings or guidance on practical steps to ensure your safety, we’re here for you every step of the way.
Physical abuse refers to any form of violence or force directed towards another person that causes physical harm, injury, pain, or impairment. In the context of domestic abuse, physical abuse includes acts such as hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, biting, pushing, grabbing, choking, or using weapons to inflict harm. Physical abuse can also involve denying someone access to medical care or basic needs, such as food and sleep.
Emotional abuse refers to behaviours and tactics used by one person to manipulate, control, or undermine the emotional well-being and self-worth of another person. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse may not leave visible scars but can have profound and lasting effects on a person’s mental health and overall quality of life.
Examples of emotional abuse include, Verbal abuse, Gaslighting, Intimidation, Isolation, Manipulation and Humiliation.
Sexual abuse refers to any unwanted or coerced sexual activity imposed on a person without their consent. It can involve a wide range of behaviours and actions that violate a person’s sexual autonomy, dignity, and rights. Sexual abuse can occur in various contexts, including intimate relationships, familial settings, workplaces, schools, and communities.
Financial abuse is a method of control where one person manipulates another by restricting access to financial resources or assets. This form of abuse includes controlling income, bank accounts, or credit cards, withholding funds for basic needs like food and medical care, sabotaging job opportunities or education, accumulating debt in the victim’s name, and using financial stability as leverage to maintain dominance.
Digital abuse uses technology to control, intimidate, or manipulate someone, including monitoring their activities, sending threatening messages, sharing private information without consent, restricting access to technology, and cyberstalking. It can severely impact emotional well-being and safety, creating fear and isolation. Recognising signs and seeking support are essential for victims to regain security in today’s digital age.