Domestic abuse is being experienced by an increasing number of people in society. In fact, and rather shockingly, data from the Office for National Statistics estimated that around 1.4 million women and 750,000 men experienced domestic violence in the year ending March 2023.
What is domestic abuse?
We are all very familiar with the term ‘domestic abuse’, but what does it actually mean?
Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines abusive behaviour as any of the following:
(a) physical or sexual abuse;
(b) violent or threatening behaviour;
(c) controlling or coercive behaviour;
(d) economic abuse;
(e) psychological, emotional or other abuse;
The legislation says that it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a series of incidents. The law also recognises that domestic abuse is not just confined to one type of abuse, but it identifies a range of abusive behaviour.
What impact can domestic abuse have on mental health?
The relationship between domestic abuse and mental health is not a linear one, but one where different people can be affected in different ways. The harm caused by physical violence is not always felt only physically, and it can have deep psychological and emotional consequences for those that live through it.
With any type of abuse, sufferers may experience low self-esteem, a loss of identity, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disordered eating, and more. Statistics from ‘Refuge’ (Facts and Statistics – Refuge) outline that women who experience domestic abuse are twice as likely to experience depression.
The statistics outlined above and the consequences that follow are alarming. With mental health issues on the rise, it is paramount to highlight the profound impact that domestic abuse can have on a person’s mental health, and what practical support is out there to help individuals heal and regain their strength.
How can domestic abuse impact a relationship?
As specialist family lawyers, we often see that individuals are living in the same home or in the vicinity of their abusers, which can have a severe detrimental impact on the well-being of the victim and of any children who are exposed to abuse. Those who experience this can live in a state of fear due to the unpredictability and volatility that can come with being in a domestically abusive relationship.
Practical advice
- Therapeutic services: It is fundamental for people to be able to regain their power and often, working with a coach, a counsellor, or a therapist, may be helpful to promote mental health and personal growth.
- Mental health support: There are many very helpful organisations out there offering support, of which a few include:
- Police: The police have the power to be able to arrest, caution or charge the perpetrator of abuse, and so if you feel like you are suffering, please do contact the police.
- Seeking legal advice: Taking the step of seeing a solicitor can be a scary one. However, it is important to seek the advice of a family lawyer as to how you can protect yourself and any children that you may have.
- Here at Rayden Solicitors, we understand the impact that domestic abuse can have, as we see these cases far too often. The well-being of our clients is important to us and we will always point you in the right direction to get you any additional support that you may need. If you feel that you might be experiencing domestic abuse, or you are aware of someone who is, please feel free to reach out to Rayden Solicitors on ng@raydensolicitors.co.uk for a confidential discussion about your legal rights. We are always happy to help.
