Cirencester Scene Magazine - Establishing Local Connections The Scourge of


Domestic Abuse by Alison Fielden & Co


Well,many people who would normally say that, have kept silent recently


The recent storyline in “The Archers” about the abusive relationship between the fictional characters Rob and Helen has had widespread coverage and has caught the imagination ofmany,. It is not difficult to understand why.


Despite many attempts to educate and reform those who might resort to abusive behaviour, it remains one of the greatest problems in domestic life.


What is domestic abuse?


Domestic abuse covers a wide range of types of behaviour which has an adverse effect on the person at whom it is directed. The Government defines it as


“Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, re- gardless of gender or sexuality.”


Physical injury


Victims can be physically injured, sometimes seriously. There are more murders arising from incidents between cohabiting partners (married or not) than any other single category or group of people.


Even if the physical injury is not fatal, it can be serious and needmedical treatment. In really worrying cases, the victim presents to the doctor accompanied by the perpetrator and attempts to cast a web of deception over the way in which the injuries occurred. Of itself, that is a form of do- mestic abuse with the victim placed in a position where all sense of free will has been removed.


Emotional or psychological harm


Many victims do not sustain obvious physical inju- ry but are emotionally or psychologically harmed. The classic effects of controlling behaviour on the victim can include:


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