It is estimated that 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse (1.6 million women and 757,000 men). Over 91% of respondents currently experiencing domestic abuse said the Covid-19 pandemic had negatively impacted them in at least one way. Of those women living with their abuser during the lockdown, 61% said the abuse had worsened. More than two-thirds (68%) said they felt they had no one to turn to during lockdown.
Domestic abuse and physical health
Domestic abuse has a considerable impact on health and well-being. The direct and immediate physical effects of domestic violence include injuries such as bruises, cuts, broken bones, lost teeth and hair, miscarriage, stillbirth and other complications of pregnancy.
The results of domestic violence can also be long-term and may cause or worsen chronic health problems of various kinds, including asthma, epilepsy, digestive problems, migraine, hypertension, and skin disorders.
Domestic abuse and your mental health
Domestic abuse can have an enormous effect on mental health. It is now well accepted that abuse (both in childhood and in adult life) is often the main factor in the development of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, and may lead to sleep disturbances, self-harm, suicide and attempted suicide, eating disorders and substance misuse.
What signs should you look for?
The majority of safeguarding adults work relates to the abuse or neglect of people with care and support needs who are living in their own homes. Domestic abuse is perhaps most thought of as violence between intimate partners, but it can take many other forms and be perpetrated by a range of people. Much safeguarding is also because of domestic abuse. The signs to look for include:
- Physical abuse: bruises, black eyes, split lips, sprains, burn marks, wearing long sleeves, scarves, sunglasses, or heavy makeup to hide injuries.
- Verbal abuse: very withdrawn or critical of themselves.
- Emotional/ psychological abuse: agitated, showing symptoms of depression, apologising all the time, or very submissive or appearing afraid.
- Coercive control: they ask permission for everything, are overly compliant and become isolated from friends and family.
- Financial/economic abuse: having no money or showing off their wealth/new gifts from an unknown person or person they will not identify.
- Online/digital abuse: being very secretive when using their phone while receiving lots of calls/texts.
- Forced marriage: Being absent from work on a regular basis or being fearful about going home, wearing a wedding ring when they are too young to give consent.
If a person discloses abuse to you
- Listen to them and try to understand but do not blame them.
- Acknowledge that it takes strength to trust someone enough to talk to them about experiencing abuse. Give them time to talk.
- Do not tell them to leave the relationship if they are not ready to do this. This is their decision.
- Ask if they have suffered physical If so, offer to go with them to a hospital or to see their GP or help them report the assault to the police if they choose to.
- Let them create their own boundaries of what they think is safe and what is not safe.
- Look after yourself while you are supporting someone through such a difficult and emotional Ensure that you do not put yourself into a dangerous situation.
If you want more information on domestic abuse, please click here.
Please talk to any member of the Safeguarding Team if you have any questions or concerns relating to any of the information above.
