Domestic abuse in the UK is defined as abusive behaviour by a person towards another who is personally connected, including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, controlling, coercive, or economic abuse, regardless of whether it is a single incident or a pattern over time.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (external link) considers an act as domestic abuse if both people involved are 16 years old, or over, and they are 'personally connected' whether that is by being partners, ex-partners, relatives or individuals sharing parental responsibility.
Personally connected can mean through marriage or a civil partnership, being engaged, in an intimate personal relationship, parents of the same child, or related.
Anyone can experience domestic abuse and personally, regardless of age. Children can also be victims of domestic abuse if they see, hear or experience the effects of abuse between personally connected adults.
What counts as abusive behaviour?
Behaviour is classed as abusive if it includes any of the following:
Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves any act that causes physical harm to another person. Common examples include:
- Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair‑pulling, biting, or pushing
- Assault or the use of objects/weapons to cause harm
- Rough handling (e.g. manhandling someone in a way that causes pain)
- Scalding or burning intentionally
- Strangulation or suffocation (non‑fatal strangulation is now a specific criminal offence)
- Use of inappropriate or unlawful restraint
- Involuntary isolation or confinement
- Misuse of medication, including over‑sedation or withholding prescribed medication.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves any sexual act or behaviour carried out without consent, with coercion, or under pressure, including when a victim is unable to consent due to fear, intimidation, capacity, or control. Common examples include:
- Rape or attempted rape (non-consensual penetration of any kind)
- Forcing or pressuring someone into sexual activity, including when they do not want to or are afraid to say no
- Sexual touching without consent, including groping, forced kissing, or any unwanted physical sexual contact
- Coercing or manipulating someone into sexual acts, including making them feel obligated or threatened into participating
- Forcing a victim to engage in sexual activity with another person (sexual exploitation)
- Forced prostitution or sexual exploitation, including trafficking for the purpose of sexual acts
- Sexual activity that ignores a person’s religious, cultural, or personal boundaries, including forcing acts prohibited by their beliefs
- Non-consensual exposure to sexual acts or materials, such as making someone watch pornography or sexual acts without their consent.
Psychological/emotional abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse includes any behaviour that causes fear, humiliation, isolation, intimidation, or undermines a person’s self-worth. Common examples include:
- Verbal abuse and degradation (persistent insults, belittling, mocking, name‑calling or humiliation)
- Gaslighting (manipulating the victim into doubting their own memory, perception, or sanity)
- Coercive control (patterns of controlling behaviour designed to create fear, dependency, and compliance)
- Threats and intimidation (threatening to harm the victim, children, pets, or themselves to control the victim)
- Isolation from friends, family, and support (preventing or discouraging contact with loved ones; monitoring, restricting or controlling communication)
- Blame-shifting and emotional manipulation (telling the victim the abuse is their fault)
- Monitoring and surveillance (excessive checking of whereabouts, messages, social media or online activity)
- Undermining autonomy and self-worth (constant criticism aimed at lowering confidence or self-esteem).
Violent or threatening behaviour
Violent or threatening behaviour includes any actions or threats that cause a person to fear harm, intimidation, or injury. Common examples include:
- Threats of physical violence
- Threats to kill (including explicit statements or implied threats that cause fear for life)
- Violent behaviour (such as throwing objects, damaging property, or using physical force in a way designed to intimidate)
- Threats to breach court orders
- Threats used as manipulation (such as telling the victim they will not be believed, or threatening to involve agencies to punish or control them)
- Using intimidation (including shouting, aggressive posturing, invading personal space, or smashing items to scare)
- Threats to harm children, pets, or family members, including using them as leverage
- Stalking or harassment and threatening self‑harm or suicide to control or manipulate.
Economic abuse
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, economic abuse is defined as any behaviour that has a substantial and adverse effect on an individual’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services (such as food, clothing, housing, heating, utilities, technology, or transportation). Common examples include:
- Controlling a partner’s income
- Restricting access to money
- Preventing employment or education
- Building debt in the victim’s name
- Exploiting their resources
- Sabotaging financial stability
- Manipulating shared finances
- Using the cost of living as control.
Controlling or coercive behaviour
Controlling and coercive behaviour is a pattern of acts used to dominate, isolate, and undermine a victim, causing fear, dependence, or loss of autonomy. This behaviour is recognised as a criminal offence under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 and is further detailed in Home Office statutory guidance (external link).
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