Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. It can include emotional manipulation, coercive control, threats, intimidation, financial control, sexual abuse, isolation from friends or family, and repeated patterns of behaviour intended to frighten or control another person.

In the UK, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created a legal definition of domestic abuse in England and Wales. The Act states that abuse can involve:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Violent or threatening behaviour
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Economic or financial abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse

The law also recognises children as victims if they see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse in the home. Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, religion, or social background. Men and women can both be victims, and abuse can happen in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.

Signs to Look For in Friends or Family

A person experiencing domestic abuse may:

• Become withdrawn, anxious, or fearful
• Regularly cancel plans or seem isolated
• Have unexplained injuries or frequent “accidents”
• Appear overly worried about pleasing their partner
• Lose confidence or self-esteem
• Have limited access to money, transport, or their phone
• Receive excessive calls or messages from a partner checking up on them
• Suddenly stop seeing friends or relatives

Coercive control can be particularly difficult to recognise because it often develops gradually. It may involve monitoring movements, controlling finances, restricting social contact, or making someone feel constantly afraid or dependent.

Signs in the Workplace

Domestic abuse can also affect someone at work. Employers and colleagues may notice:

• Frequent lateness or unexplained absences
• A drop in performance or concentration
• Visible anxiety after phone calls or messages
• A partner repeatedly contacting or visiting the workplace
• Changes in behaviour, confidence, or appearance
• Signs of stress, depression, or exhaustion

Workplaces can play an important role by providing safe conversations, flexible support, security measures, and signposting to specialist organisations. Early awareness in the workplace can make it easier for individuals to seek help safely.

UK Organisations That Can Help

If someone is in immediate danger, they should call 999. If speaking is unsafe, they can dial 999 and press 55 when prompted.

Support for Women

• Refuge — National support services, emergency accommodation, and the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

: //womensaid.org.uk/">Women’s Aid — Advice, live chat, refuge services, and safety planning.

• Rights of Women — Free legal advice for women experiencing abuse.

: //karmanirvana.org.uk/">Karma Nirvana — Specialist support for honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

Support for Men

• ManKind Initiative — Support and advice for male victims of domestic abuse.

: //mensadviceline.org.uk/">Men’s Advice Line — Confidential support for men experiencing abuse.

• Respect Men’s Advice Line Webchat — Online support and guidance.

Support for Everyone

: //www.victimsupport.org.uk/">Victim Support — Emotional and practical support for all victims of crime and abuse.

: //www.galop.org.uk/">Galop — Support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse.

: //www.ncdv.org.uk/">National Centre for Domestic Violence — Help obtaining emergency injunctions and legal protection.

Domestic abuse often exists in silence and isolation. Recognising the warning signs early, listening without judgement, and helping someone access professional support can make a life-saving difference.

In early 2024, Mike’s (we’ve changed his name to protect his privacy) life changed in an instant. He suffered a serious accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and required emergency surgical intervention - a craniotomy - to save his life.   Following the injury, he developed further complications, including left nerve palsy affecting the left side of his body, his left eye and he suffered significantly reduced vision in his right eye. After five months in hospital, Mike was discharged to an intensive outreach rehabilitation programme. He still had weakness down the left side of his body, which affected his mobility and meant he required a walking aid.   Along with facing all of this, he continued to suffer cognitive difficulties and needed ongoing assessment and support from a multidisciplinary team including rehabilitation doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists and specialist nurses. It has been a long and incredibly challenging road for Mike, but with our support, he has made great progress. BBSC has helped him with a variety of his expenses including physiotherapy, walking aids, mortgage payments and management fees and Mike’s treatment has been so successful, that more recently, we have funded fuel costs, so he could travel to job interviews.  

He said: “I would just like to say a massive thank you from the bottom of our hearts, from myself and my family to the BOSS Business Supplies Charity, for the help and financial support the charity has recently given us.

  “Since my accident back in August 2024, in which I sustained a very serious brain injury and life changing disabilities, this support has relieved so much pressure, anxiety and worry for us and we really can’t thank you all enough.”   The wonderful news is, that Mike has started a new job. He is back in the workforce. He is rebuilding his independence, and in his own words - “very happy.” Mike has said that having the Charity support him has made a huge difference.