Domestic abuse can happen to anyone aged 16 or over, from any background regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or chosen identity. Domestic abuse or domestic violence are terms used to describe abuse that takes place between people with a personal connection. Abuse suffered by someone under 16 is child abuse.
Domestic abuse is about control. Someone who wants to control another person will get to know how that person reacts to various behaviours. By doing this they are able to control them. You might not recognise the behaviour you are experiencing as abuse and probably won't call it that. You are likely to experience more than one form of abuse. Each person's experience is very different and there are many forms of abuse, including but not limited to the following:
