'Domestic violence’ is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional (UK Home Office 2013).

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence at some point during their lifetime.

On average women try and leave the abusive relationship 7 or 8 times, but may encounter repercussions from the perpetrator, rejection by family and friends and difficulty in disclosing their situation to professionals