Central Scotland Police

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse affects all sections of the community and is not a problem exclusively associated with one social, sexual or ethnic group.

Domestic violence 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.

Central Scotland Police defines domestic abuse as follows :

"Any form of physical, sexual or mental and emotional abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a close relationship.

The relationship will be between partners (married, co-habiting or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse can be committed in the home or elsewhere."

Definitions

Physical Abuse - push, shove, jerk, slap, bite, pinch, choke, beat, shake, hit, punch, kick, throwing, burns, using weapons, bruising, broken bones, internal injuries, depravation of food, depravation of medication, murder.

Sexual Abuse - sexual jokes, criticism of sexuality, jealousy, unwanted touching, forced to look at or engage in pornography, demanding sex, forced sex(rape).

Mental and Emotional Abuse - jokes, name calling, yelling, blaming, accusing, repeated insults, belittling and private humiliation, public humiliation, demands all attention, threats against children, destroying/damaging victim's property and possessions, demonstration of strength, threats against victim's extended family, alienates victim's support system, destroying or maiming family pet.

Financial Abuse - forced economic dependence.