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Domestic abuse can occur in any relationship

It doesn't matter what your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, wealth or lifestyle – domestic abuse can occur in any relationship.

If someone is forced into changing their behaviour to satisfy their partner, it is possible that they are being abused.

Facts

Police statistics show that between October 2014 and September 2015, Norfolk Police received 19,985 domestic abuse related calls – that is an average of over 50 calls a day. We also know that:

1 in 3 Women experience domestic abuse 1 in 3 Women

will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime

1 in 5 men experience domestic abuse 1 in 5 Men

will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime

1 in 5 children have been exposed to domestic abuse 1 in 5 Children

have been exposed to domestic abuse

1 in 3 LGBT people have been exposed to domestic abuse 1 in 3 LGBT People

have been exposed to domestic abuse

2 Women are killed each week as a result of domestic abuse 2 Women

are killed each week as a result of domestic abuse

30 men are killed each year as a result of domestic abuse 30 Men

are killed each year as a result of domestic abuse

Police receive a domestic abuse related phone call every minute Every Minute

Police in the UK receive a
domestic abuse
related call

Signs of domestic abuse

While there are no fixed signs that an adult or child may be experiencing domestic abuse, you may notice some changes to their behaviour. This may be:

Missing meetings

Regularly missing meetings, appointments or family events

Damage to property

Damage to property and belongings

Not dressing appropriately

Not dressing appropriately for the weather

Making excuses

Making excuses for violence or bruises

Low self esteem

Having low self esteem

Drugs and alcohol

Misuse of drugs and alcohol

Doing things in secret

Doing things in secret

Questions to ask

If you answer yes to one of the following questions, it is possible that you are in an abusive relationship.
Equally, you may know of someone who would answer yes.