Don’t forget to check out our page on covering your tracks online if you are worried someone might find out you have been looking at this page. https://www.impactfs.co.uk/cover-your-tracks-online 

Domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. In the majority of cases it is perpetrated by a partner or an ex-partner, but it can also come from a family member or carer.

Domestic abuse and violence is unfortunately very common. It is usually experienced by women and is perpetrated by men, but men can also suffer from domestic abuse and here at Impact Family Services we are committed to helping everyone who is affected by domestic abuse, no matter their age, gender, sexual orientation or race.

What are the signs of domestic abuse?

There are different types of domestic abuse and it doesn’t always have to be physical violence. Abuse is always about having power and control over you. 

Domestic abuse can look like:

• Belittling and putting you down
• Making you feel like the arguments are always your fault
• Gaslighting you and denying that the abuse is happening
• Stop you from going to work or college / school / university 
• Stop you from seeings friends and family
• Making unreasonable demands for your attention
• Getting jealous when you talk to other people / friends / colleagues
• Control your finances
• Monitoring your social media profiles / email / computer use
• Threatening to hurt or kill you
• Threaten to hurt or kill themselves
• Reading your personal correspondence (texts, emails, letters)
• Following you
• Physical abuse - hitting, punching, biting, kicking, burning, choking you
• Sexual abuse - pressure / force you to have sex, hurt you during sex, touch you in a way you do not want to be touched

Do you recognise any of the above points in your own relationship?

Have you ever felt afraid of your partner?

Have you ever changed your behaviour because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction? 

You are not alone and there are lots of people and organisations that can help you.

How to get help if you are experiencing domestic abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse then there are a number of people you can get in touch with.

Firstly, if you are based in South Tyneside then we can help you. You can call us in confidence on 07375 788 835 or email is at [email protected] 

Alternatively you can call the National Abuse Helpline for free and in confidence 24 hours a day. 

0808 2000 247 (women only) 

0808 8010327 (men only)

You can also see our page on domestic abuse resources here which includes resources for getting legal advice, the forced marriage unit, Clare’s Law and The Survivor’s Handbook and useful phone numbers.