What is Domestic Abuse?
Cheshire Police defines domestic abuse as any threatening
behaviour, violence or abuse - psychological, physical, sexual,
financial or emotional - between adults who are or have been in a
relationship, or who are members of the same family.
This is regardless of gender, age or sexuality, and includes
forced marriages and so-called honour-based violence.
Domestic abuse is not acceptable under any circumstances
Cheshire Police investigates all reports of domestic abuse and,
in line with Government guidelines, will take positive action to
bring offenders to justice and hold them accountable for their
actions. We also support survivors of domestic abuse using our
specially trained domestic abuse officers to provide assistance and
advice.
If you suffer from domestic abuse, please remember it is not
your fault. Many forms of domestic abuse are also criminal
offences, which Cheshire Constabulary takes them extremely
seriously.
We have specially trained officers who provide support and
assistance to victims of domestic abuse and we are working hard to
bring prosecutions against those people who are violent in the
home.
You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your
partner:
- Calls you names, insults you or continually criticises
you.
- Doesn't trust you and continually acts in a jealous or
possessive manner.
- Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
- Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time
with.
- Does not want you to work.
- Controls finances or refuses to share money.
- Punishes you by withholding affection.
- Expects you to ask permission.
- Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your
pets.
- Humiliates you in any way.
You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner
has ever:
- Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls,
kicked doors, etc).
- Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
- Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
- Scared you by driving recklessly.
- Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
- Forced you to leave your home.
- Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
- Prevented you from calling the police or seeking medical
attention.
- Hurt your children.
- Used physical force in sexual situations.
You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your
partner:
- Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside
relationships.
- Wants you to dress in a sexual way.
- Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.
- Has ever forced or manipulated you into to having sex or
performing sexual acts.
- Has ever held you down during sex.
- Demands sex when you're sick, tired or after beating you.
- Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.
- Involves other people in sexual activities with you.
- Ignores your feelings regarding sex.
Domestic Abuse - Problems & Costs
Government figures estimate the annual cost of domestic abuse to
the taxpayer amounts to £23bn. This can be broken down as
follows:
- £1 billion a year on investigating, arresting and bringing
offenders to justice
- £250 million a year on supporting victims and families
- £1.2 billion on NHS treatment of physical injuries and mental
health problems
- £160 million on housing costs and civil legal services costs
are £300 million
- £17 billion represents the cost of the human and emotional
suffering inflicted on people