Use this page to help with identifying abusive behaviour, the different forms that it can take, and as a quick reference to finding help.
Get help
Legal help
Nobody has the right to abuse you physically, emotionally, sexually, financially or in any other way. Many types of abuse are crimes, and should be treated as such.
Your rights
Visit the Refuge UK guide to find out about your rights, if you are in, or trying to escape, an abusive relationship.
Local support
Help is available, whether or not you choose to report what is happening. Our directory of services is designed to ensure that anyone suffering domestic abuse, their friends and family members, or any professional seeking support, can identify and contact the right service at the right time.
Explore our local support service directory
For more specific expert advice and support, follow the links below to pages on particular types of abuse.
Help for children
Children are deeply affected by living with domestic violence. It's well documented that witnessing abuse as a child causes wide-ranging harm. The law has recently recognised children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. Young people affected by domestic abuse will get automatic access to support such as mental health and safeguarding services.
Get mental health support for a child
The nature and impact of abuse
Domestic abuse is a pattern of harmful behaviours which can take place within intimate or family relationships. Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone. It cuts across all boundaries of class, wealth, religion, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, and sexual identity. It can involve partners, ex-partners, and family members.
Abusive patterns of behaviour will often worsen over time. The effect of domestic abuse can be severe, and long-lasting, both for the person being abused, or any children in the home. The first step in dealing with any type of abuse is to recognise that what is happening is actually abusive.
Recognise the signs
If you feel that something is wrong, but are not sure, these guides on the signs to look out for can help you to identify behaviour that is abusive.
Different forms of abuse
Domestic abuse can take many forms, and it can often be difficult to recognise that it is happening. Victims may hide the abuse, through shame or fear, or because they don't see the behaviour as abuse.
Use the pages below to help you to recognise the signs, and the support which is available, for yourself or someone you care about, or return to our domestic abuse homepage.