Domestic abuse can be witnessing one person mistreating another, being cruel, violent, threatening, controlling and/or insulting, or experiencing this mistreatment yourself. This can occur within the home or within your own relationships, for example in your dating relationships.
Some young people tell us they are being forced in to doing things they do not want to do. This can be with boyfriends, girlfriends, friends or people you know.
This might include:
- Controlling which friends you can see
- Calling you names
- Sexual abuse can include being raped or forced to perform sexual acts
- Sometimes this can be filmed and used to embarrass and control you
- Taking money from you or using you to get money
- Forcing you into behaviours like using drugs, alcohol, stealing, bullying, vandalising, using weapons.
If you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is domestic abuse, you can contact GEWA to talk about your situation.
Posted in: Young people's questions