Forms of domestic violence Physical abuse Physical abuse is when one parent hits, pushes, throws things, or threatens to physically hurt the other. Social abuse when one parent stops the other from seeing their friends or family, or from having a job. It can include when one parent constantly checks up on where the other is, or follows or stalks them. 'Mum's boyfriend would get paranoid and go off at her if she even talked to another man. He would keep an eye on her all the time and question what she did.'

Financial abuse
Financial abuse is when one parent takes control of the money in the household, and doesn't let the other parent have any money.

'Mum's never allowed to have any of her own money to spend, and he won't let her use the car to see my grandma.'

Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is when one person makes the other do sexual things that they don't want to do.

Domestic violence isn't always physical. The other forms of abuse can hurt just as much as physical abuse.

Seeing one parent treat the other badly can really affect you. If one parent is abusing the other, they are also abusing you. They are not making your home a safe or happy place to be.
Abuse and violence are wrong. Many forms of abuse are against the law.

What's the difference between arguments and domestic violence?

All couples have arguments. But there's a difference between arguments and abuse. In a relationship that isn't abusive, both parents might argue, but they both still feel free to say what they really think. But abuse is when one parent bullies or frightens the other parent so they don't feel like they can say or do what they want to. Most often it's the male parent who is abusive. He may have the attitude that a man has the right to 'be the boss' and to dominate women. But this is not right - both parents should treat each other as equals.

Parents and adults in your family have a responsibility to look after you and care about you. Abuse is if they do things that hurt you or make you feel bad about yourself.

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