Abuse can include:

• sexual abuse and rape (including within a relationship)
• punching, kicking, cutting, hitting with an object
• withholding money or preventing someone from earning money
• taking control over aspects of someone's everyday life, which can include where they go and what they wear
• not letting someone leave the house
• reading emails, text messages or letters
• threatening to kill or harm them, a partner, another family member or pet.
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse

Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary for a child, and causes serious harm. Children living in a home where domestic abuse is happening are at risk of other types of abuse too. Children can experience abuse or violence, emotional abuse or neglect in lots of different ways. They might:

• see the abuse
• hear the abuse from another room
• see a parent's injuries or distress afterwards
• be hurt by being nearby or trying to stop the abuse

Teenagers experiencing domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can happen in any relationship, and it affects young people too. 

They may not realise that what's happening is abuse. Even if they do, they might not tell anyone about it because they're scared of what will happen, or ashamed about what people will think.

If you are concerned please seek help. Tell a teacher or one of the Designated Senior Person (DSP) for safeguarding. You may also report to Children's Services 0300 123 4043