What is domestic abuse?
Domestic Abuse is defined as "any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults aged 18 and over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality".
Family members include mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparents whiether directly related, in laws or step family.
The Facts
Hart District Council takes instances of domestic abuse very seriously and works in partnership with the Domestic Violence Forum and local agencies in order to improve the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by domestic abuse in Hart.
At some point in their lives, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will suffer domestic violence.
Domestic violence has more repeat victims than any other offence.
There is stigma attached to being a victim of domestic violence, especially in affluent areas such as those in Hart.
Through feelings of fear and shame, a woman is attacked an average of 35 times before seeking help.
Men can be victims too. The perpetrator is not always a man.
Domestic violence includes same sex and elderly abuse as well as forced marriage, so called 'honour' based violence and female genital mutilation.