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The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Understanding domestic abuse, legal recognition and protection

Domestic abuse is much broader than physical violence. This resource explores how the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 legally recognises different forms and patterns of abusive behaviour.

It covers controlling and coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, family abuse and the ways abuse can continue after separation.

The resource also explains the important recognition of children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse as victims in their own right in specified circumstances.

It includes:

The statutory definition of domestic abuse
Personally connected relationships
Controlling and coercive behaviour
Economic abuse
Psychological and emotional abuse
Physical and sexual abuse
Children as victims
Family abuse
Post-separation abuse
Technology-facilitated abuse
Barriers to seeking help
Routes to protection and support

Designed to help people recognise domestic abuse as a pattern that can affect freedom, safety and independence in many different ways.

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