14.4 Safeguarding Children impacted by Domestic Abuse

Please review the SEFTON DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL ABUSE STRATEGY

National definition of Domestic Abuse:

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, and emotional. This also includes so called honour based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

‘Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent on the perpetrator – isolating them from others, those that can support them, monitoring and controlling their movements and behaviours, stripping them of their independence.’

‘Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim.’

Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 created a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.