Domestic Violence/Abuse
Definition: Domestic violence or abuse affects mainly women of every age, race, class, disability and sexuality.
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, affects people of every age, race, class, disability, and sexuality. The abuse can begin at any stage of a relationship, and can continue after the relationship has ended. It's mostly women who are the victims of domestic abuse and it's mostly men who are responsible, though not always. Abuse may involve physical violence, sexual assault, and threats. Sometimes it's more subtle, like making someone feel worthless, denying them money, and not allowing them to leave the home. Social isolation and emotional abuse can have long lasting effects as well as physical violence. Children can be severely emotionally affected by domestic abuse at home.
The overwhelming majority of services are provided for women, and any children, who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. These services are provided by Women's Aid, and all provide advice, information, and confidential refuge accommodation. Some also provide an outreach visiting service as well. Women's Aid will support women to find and settle into long term accommodation of their own.
One specialist service in Dumfries & Galloway supports both men and women who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their life.
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I, John Galvin, am the author of this article, Domestic Violence/Abuse, and I release its content under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 and later.