HomeDomestic Abuse
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is any violence between partners or former partners in an intimate relationship.
The violence can include physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse, threats and damage.
- Physical — beating, kicking, slapping, punching, burning, strangulation, stabbing, denying sleep.
- Sexual — rape, enforced sex or prostitution, pornography, or any other sexual behaviour or activity that you find unacceptable.
- Mental — jealousy, humiliation, degradation, systematic criticism, put-downs, intimidation, isolation from family and friends, withholding sex, threats or suicide.
- Verbal — verbal abuse, aggressive response or threats to harm.
- Financial — denying or withdrawing money.
Anyone Can be Abused
Domestic abuse is a serious and widespread problem, although it is often hidden in the family. People are abused from every race, class, religion and culture; regardless of age, sexuality, disability or gender.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected at sometime in their lives by domestic abuse. Men as well as women can be the victims, and it also affects same-sex relationships.
Everyone has the right to live free from fear, intimidation and abuse, especially within their own home.
How Can We Help?
Our main concerns are:
- Protecting victims and any children to make sure they are not at continuing risk.
- Investigating thoroughly to get evidence and, where evidence permits and circumstances allow, arresting and charging the offender.
- Giving victims enough information to be able to access help, advice or services from other agencies straightaway or at a later time.
We have dedicated Domestic Abuse Officers who are there to provide support and information.
See Also
Other Sources of Help and Support
Most of the websites below provide “safe buttons” to quickly browse to another website. For more information on safe browsing, see the Welsh Women’s Aid website: cover your tracks
- Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline
Call free on 0808 08 10 800. A confidential, non-judgmental service providing information and support. Available in Welsh and English, with access to Language Line to support other languages, and BT Type Talk for callers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. - Not Your Fault
For children and young people who are experiencing domestic abuse. Advice and support if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse from a parent, another child, family member or boyfriend / girlfriend. - Welsh Women’s Aid
National group representing 34 local groups across Wales. Information and advice including legal protection, how to find your local group, and details of their campaigns and training programme. - Powys Domestic Abuse Forum
Useful contacts, how to help someone, information specifically for children and men, and more. The forum is a partnership between various organisations and is committed to reducing the incidence of domestic abuse. - Tai Hafan
Charitable housing association providing housing and support services to women with a variety of needs. - Broken Rainbow
A registered charity funded by the Home Office, Broken Rainbow is the UK’s only National lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline providing confidential support to all members of the LGBT community, their family and friends, and agencies supporting them. The helpline service is run by trained LGBT people who have an understanding of your sexual identity issues along with the impact domestic violence can have on your life. - Counselling Directory
Find a counsellor close to you and appropriate for your needs. A free, confidential service, Counselling Directory only lists qualified / registered counsellors and psychotherapists.