Support for domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is when someone hurts, scares, or controls you. It can happen once or many times.It can be done by a partner, an ex‑partner, or any family member.

Emotional abuse

Does the person abusing you:

• belittle you, or put you down?
• blame you for the abuse or arguments?
• deny that abuse is happening, or play it down?
• isolate you from your family and friends?
• stop you going to college or work?
• make unreasonable demands for your attention?
• accuse you of flirting or having affairs?
• tell you what to wear, who to see, where to go, and what to think?
• control your money, or not give you enough to buy food or other essential things?

Threats and intimidation

Does the person abusing you:

• threaten to hurt or kill you?
• destroy things that belong to you?
• stand over you, invade your personal space?
• threaten to kill themselves or the children?
• read your emails, texts or letters?
• harass or follow you?

Physical abuse

The person abusing you may hurt you in a number of ways:

• slap, hit or punch you?
• push or shove you?
• bite or kick you?
• burn you?
• choke you or hold you down?
• throw things?

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse can happen to anyone, whether they’re male or female. does the person abusing you:

• touch you in a way you don’t want to be touched?
• make unwanted sexual demands?
• hurt you during sex?
• pressure you to have unsafe sex – for example, not using a condom?
• pressure you to have sex?

Safe Spot is a district-wide programme which offers a place where you can have access to a private room and a phone so you can contact either local or national helplines for support, or speak confidentially to your family and friends.

Visit the Bradford Domestic and Sexual Violence website to find a safe spot where you need it.

It can be really worrying when someone you know is in a controlling or abusive relationship. They might not see it as abuse, and they may get upset if you try to talk about it.

You might wonder if you are making a big deal out of nothing but if you have seen or heard something that worries you, it is okay to speak up and get support.