Central Scotland Police

Victims of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is the systematic abuse within a relationship by the partner who holds the balance of power. This will not necessarily have anything to do with physical size, strength or gender.

Although, the overwhelming majority of domestic abuse victims are female, domestic violence affects all sections of the community and is not exclusive to one sexual, social or ethnic group.

Anyone can experience domestic abuse - it can happen in any relationship and for any reason. Over time abuse tends to increase in occurrence and severity. Other members of the household, particularly children, often witness what is happening and may end up being abused, if not physically then emotionally or mentally.

Domestic abuse will not end until someone speaks out û either the victim or somebody else such as a relative, a friend or a neighbour - who cares about their welfare.

Recognising the signs

While every domestic abuse case is different, there may be telltale signs that indicate abuse is taking place. These include:

• Unexplained, regular injuries
• Children truanting / performing poorly at school
• Low self-esteem of the person being abused
• Withdrawal of social contact with friends and family leading to isolation
• Lack of financial independence
• Loss of control / extreme anger / anti-social behaviour regularly exhibited by the abuser
• Abuse of animals
• These signs are not exhaustive