During the COVID-19 pandemic our Family team have seen an increase in domestic abuse cases with an increasing number of those being subjected to abuse being men
Domestic abuse can be perpetrated in various ways. The new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force on 1st October 2021. Section 1(3) of the act states that, physical violence or threats, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse are all examples of abusive behaviour.
Psychological and emotional abuse can include (but is not limited to) gaslighting, calling someone derogatory names or using a series of words to mentally and emotionally control, upset or frighten the victim. Notably, the perpetrator threatening to harm themselves to control the victim is also considered emotional abuse.
Sexual abuse may involve the perpetrator carrying sexual acts without consent or manipulating the victim into carrying out sexual acts.
Financial abuse often involves the perpetrator controlling the victim’s finances by restricting their access to money or stealing money from them. Additionally, this may involve accumulating a large amount of debt in the victim’s name.
Furthermore, the act also recognises coercive and controlling behaviour as a form of abusive behaviour. Coercive and controlling behaviour can consist of acts such as isolating someone from friends and family, intentionally humiliating or intimidating someone, denying someone their independence, or controlling and monitoring a person’s everyday activities. These acts are usually intended to isolate the victim from their support network and make them dependent on the perpetrator.
In 2020 Mankind Initiative found that 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and the Office for National Statistics found that one in three victims of domestic abuse will be male. This equates to around 757,000 men suffering domestic abuse each year. Regrettably however, Mankind Initiative found that only 51% of men who suffer domestic abuse ever seek help.
If you or someone you know is suffering domestic abuse, please contact our Family Department on 08000 147720 or send us an email via family@ramsdens.co.uk. We can provide advice and obtain urgent injunctive orders for your safety and protection.
If you are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999.
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