Domestic
abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a
family member or carer.
Sexual violence is the general term we use to describe any kind of unwanted sexual act or
activity, including rape, sexual assault, sexual
abuse. Domestic abuse and sexual violence are not acceptable, you have the right to live your life free
of abuse.
Domestic abuse and sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender identity,
race, sexuality, wealth and geography. If you, a family member, or friend are experiencing domestic abuse
or sexual violence, support is available.
If you are experiecing any of the above, you could feel worried or anxious, depressed, scared or lonely. This is
completely normal, and there is help and support available.
Types of abuse:
If there is ever an emergency and/or you feel as though you are in danger on campus or in
University owned halls, contact the University’s Protection Service
on 024 7765 8555 (or 5555 on internal phones). If you are not on campus, call the
police on 999.
Physical Abuse may include:
- Slapping, Hitting or Punching you.
- Biting or Spitting at you.
- Pushing or Shoving you.
- Throwing things at you.
- Holding you down.
Sexual Abuse may include:
- Making you feel pressured to have sex.
- Touching you when you do not want to be touched.
- Making unwanted sexual demands of you.
- Hurting you during sexual activity.
- If your partner has sex with you when you do not want to, this is rape.
Threats and Intimidation may include:
- Standing over you, invading your space in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
- Threatening to hurt you, or kill you.
- Throwing things, breaking things or taking your belongings from you.
- Reading your texts and emails when you have not consented.
- Following you and/or harrasing you by phone/email/text.
Financial Abuse may include:
- Taking your money, or using your bank/credit cards without permission.
- Pressuring you to provide them with money, or help their financial situation.
- Trying to control the way you spend your money.
- Demanding that you share you financial details with them, such as passwords and pin numbers.
- Consitently borrowing your money without paying it back.