What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse may be from:

• a current partner, even if it's a new or casual relationship
• an ex-partner
• a family member.

Types of abuse include:

• emotional abuse
• psychological abuse
• physical abuse
• financial abuse
• sexual abuse.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. These behaviours can happen once or multiple times.

Signs of domestic abuse

Domestic abuse does not always involve physical violence, rape, or sexual assault. It can include other behaviours.

Coercive control

Coercive control in a relationship is a form of abuse. This can involve:

• threats and frightening behaviour
• isolating you from your friends and family
• monitoring your activity (online or in person)
• controlling your spending or access to money
• threatening to self-harm if you ever leave them
• pressuring you to have sex or engage in unwanted sexual acts
• making you feel ashamed, judged, or foolish
• hiding your medication
• criticising your faith
• preventing you from doing activities you enjoy.

Gaslighting

An abusive person may:

• switch between making you feel frightened, and then being apologetic and loving.
• tell you that it's your fault they are behaving in a certain way.
• tell you that you're overreacting.
• tell you that things you experienced did not happen.

This see-sawing of emotions by an abusive person is called 'gaslighting'. It can make you feel confused about your feelings and doubt yourself.

Technology-based abuse

Examples include:

• sending abusive messages
• threatening to share private photos or videos (this is known as 'revenge porn' and is a criminal offence)
• reading your emails and texts
• putting a geo-location tracker on your devices without your permission.

How to get help

Leaving an abusive relationship can be challenging.

Support is available if you are:

• experiencing any of the behaviors described here
• witnessing it among your friends or family.

If you are experiencing abuse within a staff-student relationship, the University takes this seriously. Read our policy on sexual misconduct and relationships between staff and students.

Support at the University

You can request wellbeing support from the University. You can tell us how best to contact you, so we don't put you at risk.

You can also speak to your personal tutor or another member of staff that you trust.

Request wellbeing support

Confidentiality

University staff will treat your disclosure confidentially. The only exception is when they believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. 

Wherever possible, any information sharing is with your knowledge and consent.

External support organisations

• You can talk to your doctor, health visitor, or midwife. They will be able to refer you to specialist support.
• Next Link is a specialist support organisation in Bristol with help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The NHS domestic violence and abuse page includes phone and email contacts for support organisations. It also includes information about making a safety plan.

If you're worried someone might see you have visited this page find out how to cover your tracks online.