Definition

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created a statutory definition of domestic abuse, based on the existing cross-government definition.

Therefore, this strategy adopts this definition. The definition of domestic abuse is in two parts. The first part deals with the relationship between the abuser and the abused. The second part defines what constitutes abusive behaviour.

Behaviour of a person ("A") towards another person ("B") is "domestic abuse" if:

1. A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and
2. The behaviour is abusive.

Behaviour is "abusive" if it consists of any of the following:

1. physical or sexual abuse.
2. violent or threatening behaviour.
3. controlling or coercive behaviour.
4. economic abuse
5. psychological, emotional, or other abuse

and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.

Children aged under 18 who see, hear, or experience the effects of domestic abuse and are related to victim or perpetrator are classed as victims.

'Personally connected' is defined in the act as parties who:

• are married to each other
• are civil partners of each other
• have agreed to marry one another (whether the agreement has been terminated)
• have entered into a civil partnership agreement (whether the agreement has been terminated)
• are or have been in an intimate personal relationship with each other
• have, or there has been a time when they each have had, a parental relationship in relation to the same child
• are relative.