What is Domestic Abuse?
Scottish Women’s Aid describe domestic abuse as, “an incident or multiple incidents of controlling, manipulative, threatening, degrading or violent behaviour that is perpetrated by a partner, ex-partner, family member or carer.”
In most cases the abuse is experienced by women and perpetrated by a male partner or ex-partner. However, it can affect any age, race, gender or sexual orientation, and the abuser can be any of these too.
Domestic abuse has many different forms and doesn’t necessarily have to be violent. It can include but is not limited to:
- Coercive Control – threats, intimidation, humiliation or other abusive behaviour that is used to control, punish, frighten or harm their victim.
- Psychological and/or Emotional Abuse – being put down and made to feel bad or guilty about yourself.
- Physical and Sexual Abuse – any act of violence that is used to physically harm, hurt or injure the victim, as well as sexual violence, such as unwanted touching and rape.
- Harassment and Stalking – persistent and unwanted attention that can include following, damaging property, threats, or unwanted communication.
- Financial or Economic Abuse – controlling, stealing, using or misusing the victim’s money in order to limit their freedom and often leave them dependent on the abuser.
- Online or Digital Abuse – controlling social media accounts, monitoring online communications, or sharing unwanted images or videos without consent.
What can we do to help you?
North Ayrshire Women’s Aid provide support for women and children living in North Ayrshire who have either previously or are currently experiencing domestic abuse.
We have outreach services in the Garnock Valley, Irvine area, the Three Towns and Arran and Millport. We also have refuge accommodation at various addresses around North Ayrshire.
You can read more about our different support options here.