Question: Does your partner or anyone else at home hurt you?
 
Question: Does your partner or anyone else at home insult, talk down, or try to control you?
 
Question: Do you feel threatened?
 
Question: Does your partner/ ex partner or anyone else at home shout or swear at you so that you feel unsafe?
 
Domestic Abuse is defined as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse, (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been intimate partners, or family members, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.’ It is not only about physical abuse; it is also about one person dominating and controlling the other.

Abuse can take place irrespective of race, class, culture, age, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

Domestic Abuse is taken very seriously by local agencies. They can provide you with support and advice.

You can report domestic abuse in several different ways:
 
• You should only dial 999 in an emergency, which could be when an incident is on going and you feel afraid and think that you or someone else is likely to be seriously injured. Your call will be recorded by the police.

• You may also report a domestic incident by visiting your local police station or through contact with a police officer. The first priority for the police is to protect the victims and any other persons at risk, including children. They will take positive action which may involve liaising with other agencies to secure a place at a refuge or arresting the perpetrator. They will complete a domestic incident report and pass your details to specialist domestic abuse officers. If you are considered to be at high or very high risk of further abuse then a meeting called a ‘MARAC’ (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) will take place to consider ways to increase your safety.

• You can also report a domestic abuse incident after the event; if you go to the local police station, they will log the incident and contact the domestic violence officer.

• You may also report to Women’s Aid, Tai Hafan or the Domestic Abuse Forums across the region. They will complete a safety risk assessment and let you know what services are available in your area.

Staff in Accident and Emergency departments in local hospitals as well as midwives may ask patients if they are victims of domestic abuse; they can also help and signpost them to appropriate services.